New Study Abroad English Test Option: PTE Exam – Everything You Need to Know About PTE Test Content, Uses, and Advantages | UP-STUDY Educational Center

When it comes to English proficiency tests for studying abroad, most people first think of TOEFL and IELTS. However, TOEFL is difficult, and IELTS is expensive. Is there no third option? There is! It's the PTE exam. Before registering for TOEFL or IELTS, why not take a moment to learn about this exam? It might be a better fit for your study abroad journey.

What is the PTE Exam?

PTE, which stands for Pearson Language Tests, is an English proficiency exam administered by Pearson Education Group from the UK. It has been implemented since 2009 and is currently available in Taiwan, though it does not yet have an official Chinese name, so we just refer to it as PTE. The PTE can be used for study abroad applications to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the UK, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, and Germany, and can also be used for UK, Australia, and New Zealand visa applications.

PTE Test Components

The PTE exam consists of three parts, each with different question types:

• Speaking and Writing, approximately 73-99 minutes
  • Introduction
  • Read aloud
  • Repeat sentences
  • Describe images
  • Summarize spoken text
  • Answer brief questions
  • Summarize written text
  • Write an essay
• Reading, approximately 32-40 minutes
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Multiple-response questions
  • Fill-in-the-blank
  • Sentence completion
• Listening
  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Multiple-response questions
  • Dictation
  • Fill-in-the-blank in a passage

PTE Scoring

PTE provides scores ranging from 10 to 90 for each section: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The recommended scores for international students are as follows:

• Foundation courses: 36-50 points in each section
• Undergraduate courses: 51-60 points in each section
• Graduate courses: 57-67 points in each section

The PTE scoring is entirely computer-based, ensuring objective and fair results without human error. The PTE score report is electronic and does not provide a paper copy, which allows candidates to submit their score report to many institutions without additional application fees for transcripts.

PTE Exam Fees

The PTE Academic exam for school applications costs $195 USD, approximately NT$5,460. If applying for a UK visa, the PTE Academic UKVI costs $205 USD, approximately NT$5,740. PTE accepts credit card payments, so please note that cash or bank transfer is not accepted before registration.

PTE Exam Process

The PTE exam is conducted entirely online. To register, you must create an account on the official PTE website, complete the online registration, and schedule the test. The exam lasts about three hours, including a ten-minute break, which can be taken after the first 90 minutes. A computer will read the instructions to you, and you must answer based on what is heard, spoken, or written. The computer will then evaluate your answers. After completing the exam, you can expect to receive results within 5 business days.

How Should I Choose an English Proficiency Test?

After discussing so much, with limited budget and time, which English proficiency test should I take? Below are some directions to help prospective students find the right test for them.

• Which English proficiency test does the school I am applying to accept?

This is the most important factor. Many schools in the UK only accept IELTS, and some might also accept PTE, but they do not accept TOEFL. In that case, you don’t need to worry about TOEFL, even if you already have a great TOEFL score. Choose the test that aligns with the requirements of your target school.

• How much preparation time do I have?

TOEFL and PTE are computer-based tests, while IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based options. Different test formats require different preparation times. If you find that you have difficulty speaking to foreigners, IELTS with an interview might not be suitable for you. If you feel your typing speed significantly affects your test time, IELTS might need to be reconsidered. It’s also important to factor in any experience you have with any of these exams, as that can make your preparation faster.

• What is my budget?

Given the same conditions, the cheaper PTE is preferable to TOEFL and IELTS. Therefore, take your budget into consideration and save the money for preparing for your study abroad life.

• Where is the most convenient test location for me?

Currently, PTE's biggest disadvantage is that it has only one testing center in Taiwan. In contrast, TOEFL is available in almost all counties and cities across Taiwan, and IELTS is offered in nine cities, with several more testing locations than PTE, providing greater convenience. Additionally, after factoring in transportation costs, the price difference between PTE and TOEFL might not be that significant, so it might be better to choose a TOEFL center closer to home to save time and energy, and you’ll likely feel more at ease.

Do you now have a better understanding of the new PTE option for study abroad English proficiency tests? Taking an English proficiency test is the first step in studying abroad. If you want to know more about studying abroad, feel free to visit UP-STUDY Educational Center for the latest information!