FAQs

This page explains what to expect and what to do:

Before the test
At the test center
After the test

Before the test - Registration and Payment

PTE Academic is for non-native speakers of English who need to demonstrate their English language ability.

02. How old do I need to be to take PTE Academic?

You must be at least 16 years old. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you must provide a signed parental consent form before taking the test.

Parental consent form (English)

Parental consent form (Chinese)

Complete the form, then follow the instructions printed on it to send it to us.

03. Do I have to take PTE Academic in my home country?

No. You can take it at any of our test centers around the world. Make sure you check what type of ID you have to use.

If you are outside your home country, you will probably be asked to show your passport at the test center.

04. Do I have to choose institutions before the test?

No. You can choose the institutions you want to send your scores to after you have seen your results.

05. Do I need to know about a specific subject to take the test?

No. PTE Academic is a test of your English ability. The test covers a range of subjects, but you are not being tested on these subjects.

06. Do I need computer skills to take the test?

You do not need any special computer skills. We recommend taking one of our practice tests to get used to moving through tasks. You can also watch the tutorial on our website.

PTE Academic is taken using a QWERTY keyboard, where the letters on the top line spell out 'QWERTY'. IF you are not used to this type of keyboard, it may help to practice with one before you take the test.

07. Can I register direct with the test center?

No. You can register for the test online or by phone through our call centers.

08. My given and family names are the same. What should I enter into the registration form?

Enter your name into the family name field. Enter a period (.) in the given name field.

09. My name is too long to fit the space on the form. What should I enter into the registration form?

Enter as such of your name as you can. Then contact us so we know there will be a difference between the name you register with and the name on your ID.

10. What happens if my ID shows a different name to the one I registered with?

You will not be allowed to take the test and you will lose your test fee.

If you made a mistake when registering, please contact us before your test day. We will do what we can to help.

11. Are usernames and passwords case sensitive?

Yes.

12. Why is my new password being rejected?

Your pasword must contain a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. It must be a minimum of 8 characters long.

This ensures your password is secure, making it harder for hackers to break into your account.

13. How do you protect the information I enter?

All your personal data is collected, transmitted and stored in a safe and secure way. We will only use the information you enter for expressly stated purposes.

Full details are contained in our privacy policy. If you have any questions, contact us.

14. How can I pay for the test?

We accept these payment methods:

MasterCard and Visa debit cards
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and JCB credit cards
Vouchers and promotion codes (you must pay the balance if your voucher does not cover the full test cost)

We do not accept PayPal

15. Do I have to pay for the test with my own credit card?

No. You can use a card that is registered in a different name (i.e. a parent's credit card.)

16. How do I request testing accommodations?

To request an accommodation please contact customer service in your region to discuss your requirements.

In some cases you may be asked to complete and return an accommodations request form:

Accommodations Request Form

You should print and return by fax or by post to the accommodations team in your region:

AMERICAS & ASIA PACIFIC:
Fax: 651-389-0507
Address:
PTE Academic - Accommodations
5601 Green Valley Drive
Bloomington MN 55437

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA:
Fax: +44 (0)161 855 7020
Address:
PTE Academic - Accommodations
PO Box 381
M50 3UW

Please do not use email to return the form.

Please complete and return this form only if you have been advised to do so by customer service.

Depending on the nature of your request, it may take up to 6 weeks to process your application. Therefore, please ensure that you leave sufficient time before the date on which you would like to take the test. Please refer to page 7 of the test taker handbook.

17. I need to cancel my test, or I did not turn up to take it. Can I claim a refund?

If you fail to turn up to your appointment you will not generally receive a refund.

You may recieve a partial refund if you cancel your test before the appointment date.

For your best change of a refund, contact the customer service team in your region. In some circumstances we will try to reschedule your test free of charge.

Full cancellation policies are contained on pg.8 of the Test Taker Handbook

18. How many times can I take the test?

You can take PTE Academic as many times as you like.

You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.

At the test center - What to expect on test day

01. When should I arrive at the test center?

At least 30 minutes before the start of your test. This gives you plenty of time to check in and pass security.

02. How do you check my identity at the test center?

We will check the ID you bring with you. We also take your photo, a palm vein scan and a digital signature.

03. What documents can I use as ID at the test center?

Your ID needs to be a valid, non-expired and government-issued.

It must:

show your name in Roman characters (A-Z)
show a recognizable photograph
show your signature

In many countries, a passport is the only acceptable form of identification. Some countries enforce stricter measures – see pg.10 of the Test Taker Handbook before your test.

If you are unsure about what ID you need, or cannot meet the requirements, please contact the customer services team in your region.

04. What is palm vein recognition and is it safe?

Palm vein recognition scans the veins inside your hand to create a digital template that represents your palm vein pattern. Everyone’s veins are different, just like a fingerprint, this allows us to check your identity.

To use the palm vein scanner, you simply hold your hand in place above the scanner for a few seconds. The scanner uses a near-infrared light source, similar to a remote control – and you never touch the sensor.

05. What happens if I arrive late?

Contact the relevant customer service team as soon as you know you are going to be late. If you arrive up to 15 minutes late you may still be allowed to take it. You will still get the full three hours to complete the test.

If you arrive over 15 minutes late you will not be allowed to take the test and you will lose your fee.

06. What will I have to do during the test?

There are 20 different types of task. Some tasks will test integrated skills (e.g. Reading and Speaking).

See tutorial and practice test to see how it works.

07. Why do I need to record a personal introduction at the start of the test?

The personal introduction is sent to institutions along with your test scores. It gives them an extra way to check your identity, by comparing your voice with the recording from the test.

Your personal introduction is not assessed. It does not contribute to your test score.

08. Why do you use an automated scoring system?

Research supports the idea that automated scoring gives more analytical, objective results than markers do.

Our automated scoring system is impartial – it cannot be influenced by external factors like your appearance, personality or body language.

Our automated scoring system means you can be certain you are being judged only on your language performance. And the institutions you send your score to can be confident your score is accurate and representative of your actual English language ability.

We have a white paper examining automated scoring in much greater detail: PTE Academic and automated scoring.

09. How do I know how much time I have left?

Each section of the test is individually time. You will see a timer in the top right corner of the screen counting down the remaining time.

10. Can I take notes during the test?

Yes. We will give you an erasable noteboard booklet (about 5 sheets of A4 paper). If you run out of space, you can ask for another booklet.

You are not allowed to make notes until the test has started.

11. Can I correct my answers during the test?

You can correct multiple-choice responses (click again to deselect your answer) and typed responses (use the cut, copy and paste options)

However, you must correct mistakes before moving on to the next item. You cannot re-record any spoken responses.

The microphone will switch off automatically if you are silent for more than 3 seconds during an answer.

12. What happens if there is a problem with my computer during the test?

Raise your hand and tell the test administrator. They will do whatever they can to help and will ensure the problem is recorded.

Make sure you tell the test administrator about any problems you feel affect your ability to complete the test. Without their record of the problem, it is very hard for us to trace these issues later on.

13. What should I do if I spot a problem with a question?

Raise your hand and tell the test administrator. They will ask you to complete a form. This will then be sent to us so we can investigate.

Alternatively, contact your local customer service team within 14 days of the test.

14. I have a complaint about the test. Who do I contact?

Please put your complaint in writing and send it to your local customer service team. We treat all complaints seriously and always investigate them fully.

15. What happens if I have to leave for an emergency?

Raise your hand and explain your situation to the test administrator. They will advise further.

16. Can I leave early if I finish the test?

Yes. Raise your hand and ask the test administrator for permission to leave.

After the test - Scores and sending them

01. When will I receive my test scores?

Scores are received typically within 5 working days.

Working days are Monday to Friday, excluding US and UK national holidays.

We will send you an email once your score is ready.

We may delay your score if we detect any problems we feel require further investigation – if that happens, we will contact you.

02. Will I receive my results in the mail?

No. We only make test scores available online.

You access your scores by logging into your account.

03. How do I view my scores online?

You can see your scores once you have signed in to your account.

Click View Score Report to see your scores for each test.

04. I took the test more than five days ago, but have not received my scores. What should I do?

Check your junk or spam email folder - your results email may be in there.

If your score is on hold we will contact you, so if you have not received any messages from us at all, contact your local customer service team.

05. My score is 'on hold'. What does that mean?

We will put your score on hold if we detect any possible irregularities in your test.

We investigate even minor issues, so having your test put on hold does not mean there is necessarily a problem.

If you fail to adhere to the terms of the test, as listed on pg.18 of the Test Taker Handbook, your test result could be cancelled.

06. What is included in the score report?

The score report has three sections:

Your personal details and photograph.
Your overall score.
Detail about how you performed in sections of the test.

You will see individual scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing, plus scores for the six enabling skills.

This breakdown of your score should help you identify strengths and weaknesses and focus future studies.

07. How long is my score report valid and available for?

Your score report is valid and will be available online for 2 years.

08. I don’t think my score is right. What should I do?

You can request a re-mark. Pg.13 of the Test Taker Handbook explains how to do this.

If you think there was an error in the test, send us a completed item challenge form too. We will investigate the problem for you.

09. How do I send my scores to institutions?

You can do this once you have signed in to your account.

Click Send Scores next to the relevant test.
Search for the institution you want to send your score to. You can send up to seven at once.
Click Next to see a summary
Click Next, then hit Confirm Order to send your scores.

You can send your scores to unlimited number of instutitions free of charge.

We will send you an email to confirm your scores have been sent.

10. When will institutions be able to see my score?

It takes up to 48 hours for scores to be sent to institutions.

11. Can I send my previous scores to institutions?

Yes. Just choose the score you want to send once you have signed in to your account. Scores remain available for two years.

12. Why have you sent me a message saying my chosen institution does not recognize the test?

The institution you selected does not yet recognize PTE Academic formally.

You will not be able to use your score to this institution until it accepts PTE Academic.

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