PTE is a division of Pearson PLC. The functional objective of this program is to offer the following tests to test takers who need to prove their English Proficiency skills for Migration and Educational Purposes:

PTE Academic (PTE-A)

PTE Academic UKVI (identical in format to PTE-A but taken for UK visa purposes) (PTE-A-UK)

PTE Academic OV (identical in format to PTE-A but is taken at home) (PTE-A-OV)

PTE Home A1 (PTE-A1)

PTE Home A2 (PTE-A2)

PTE Home B1 (PTE-B1)

PTE Core (PTE-E)

In addition, we are now offering these exams globally. They are a variation on the above exam, as an accommodation for those eligible by offering an extra 25% of time to candidates:

PTE Academic / PTE-AExtended25

PTE Academic UKVI / PTE-A-UKExtended25

PTE Academic OV /PTE AExtended25 OV

PTE Home A1 / PTE-A1Extended25

PTE Home A2 /PTE-A2Extended25

PTE Home B1 / PTE-B1Extended25

PTE Core / PTE-E-Ex

The tests are entirely computer-based and assessed using an automated scoring system.

All test takers must be provided with the Test Taker Rules document. This document is also available in a larger font in the Resources application in the Connect portal. If the candidate specifically requests the large font version, you may provide it. Please note: There is one Test Taker Rules document for all PTE tests.

Note: If the candidate requests to view the Copyright Acknowledgement, provide the document to the candidate. This document is available in the Resources application in the Connect portal. If a candidate has a question about the Copyright Acknowledgement, explain that it is simply a list of all the references used in creating the exam. If the candidate has further questions or comments, please direct them to PTE.

PTE Advice Handout

Refer to PTE Name Matching Policy, which provides guidance on whether a minor name discrepancy is allowed. This document is available in the Resources application in the Connect portal.

If a name discrepancy is acceptable according to the PTE Name Matching Policy and all other ID checks are found satisfactory, the candidate may be allowed to start the test.

If a name discrepancy is not acceptable according to the PTE Name Matching Policy, the candidate must not be allowed to start the test.

Note: For all name discrepancies, it is necessary to create a Problem with Candidate ID case and attach a copy of the ID, whether the discrepancy is approved or not.

Changes that are allowed before a test has been taken:

Once an account has been created (and before the first booking is made), any information except the username can be amended.

Once a test has been booked, any information except the username can be amended up to 24 hours before a test.

The quickest way of amending these details is for the candidate to log in to their myPTE account and update the relevant section.

Changes that are allowed after a test has been taken:

Home Address, Email Address and Telephone Number:

1. Amendments to a candidate’s home address, email address and telephone number are permitted.

2. The quickest way of amending these details is for the candidate to log in to their myPTE account and update the relevant section.

Name Changes:

1. Name changes can be allowed if there is a discrepancy as listed in the PTE Name Matching Policy

2. Other name changes are only allowed in the event of a ‘life change’ for example, marriage or official name change by deed poll. These changes must be approved and actioned before the test day.

3. Major name changes due to errors made in the account creation process are not allowed and test takers must not be allowed to test

4. A request for a name change can only be made by filling in a 'update your personal information' form and must be submitted at least 3 days before a test. This is available on the website: https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/booking-managing-test

5. .

Gender Changes

A change in the candidate’s gender in their account is only allowed in the event of a ‘life change’ i.e. a gender change. 

Gender changes due to errors made in the account creation process are not allowed. 

A request for a gender change can only be made by contacting Customer Support before test day. 

The request must be accompanied by: 

1. Evidence of the candidate’s previous gender, e.g. an ID such as a passport or birth certificate that displays the gender  

1. Evidence of the change in gender e.g. an official valid document as issued by the local jurisdiction for example, Gender Recognition Certificate 

Gender changes need to be retrospective under the Gender Recognition Act. 

PTE will support candidates in making changes to the gender on their account when requested and provided with the required documentation.  

Other changes: 

Amendments to the following demographics are allowed before test day, provided the appropriate evidence is submitted. 

If the candidate chooses to change any of these demographics in their account, any previous test scores that are still valid need to be cancelled. 

1. Date of Birth 
2. Country of Citizenship 
3. Country of Residence 

Digital signature, photograph, palm vein, and DIA (dependent on test centre)

Notes:

The palm vein and digital ID authentication steps will only appear at test centres with the necessary equipment.

TAs must capture all admissions data and this must be done in clear view of the CCTV cameras. If any of the admissions data cannot be captured, a case must be created.

Follow VUE’s standard palm vein scan and self-pat down procedure. In addition, ask the candidate to show their open palms. If there is any object or mark on the candidate’s palm, create a case providing full details and photographs of the palm.

If there are any issues capturing the photo, signature, palm vein scan (including admissions, entry or exit palm vein scans) or DIA (where available), TAs must follow the relevant backup procedure and create a Backup Admissions Data case.

If any of the admissions data cannot be captured via the backup procedure, the candidate must not be allowed to test, and a case must be created.

Photograph: If the candidate is wearing glasses, ask the candidates to remove them for the photo.

If there is any doubt over the identity of the candidate, raise a Problem with Candidate ID case and attach a copy of the ID.

If a discrepancy is found in any of the data collected (e.g., the admission photo does not appear to match the ID photo), continue to collect all admission data before making the decision to turn the candidate away.

Candidates can request an admissions data waiver prior to the test.

If approval for the admissions data waiver has not received prior to the candidate arriving for the test, the candidate must not be allowed to start the test. Create a case.

Candidates Under 18 Years Old

Candidates must be at least 16 years old to take a PTE test. For candidates who are 16 or 17 years old, the Parental Consent Form (PCF) is completed as part of the registration process. The candidate is not able to schedule a test without an approved PCF.

Note: All other test policies and procedures apply for minor candidates.

Candidates are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their test.

If the candidate arrives after their appointment time, turn the candidate away and do not seat the candidate for the exam. Create a case if a candidate is turned away.

Note: If candidates from other clients have appointments that begin one hour after the PTE Academic candidate begins, do not seat them early. This will ensure that the speaking part of the exam is complete before the other candidates are seated.

Important information for ALL candidates:

PTE candidates should begin their exam together. Candidates should not be started at different times.

Prior to starting the test at the workstation for the seated candidate, you must complete the following checks:

1.  Ask the candidate to confirm their name

2. Check that the name they stated matches their ID and the photo on the ID matches the candidates at the workstation

3. Find the correct test on the workstation from the candidate list and start the test.

4. Do NOT allow candidates to choose their own test from the list of admitted candidates. Proxy testers are likely to swap IDs with the real candidate and wear similar clothing, so conducting these final checks before starting the test is imperative.

Technical Issue:

If a candidate experiences technical difficulty when starting their exam, all other candidates should be started together while the issue(s) is/are resolved.

If a candidate experiences any problems in starting, please ensure you make a note of the time the problem occurred by checking your watch or the test centre clock and follow the processes below:

• Contact VSS, if required, to assist in resolving the issue.

• Refer to the Policies & Procedures Guide for details on technical problems.

In the U.S. only: If a single PTE-A or PTE-E candidate is scheduled to take an exam at the same time as candidates taking exams offered by other clients, seat the PTE candidate in the ADA room. This ensures the PTE candidate does not disturb the other candidates during the speaking section of the PTE exam.

Exam

All PTE tests are assessed via computer in single sessions. The PTE exam sessions are summarised in the table below. Each section of the test has an introductory screen which prepares the candidate for the upcoming section.

Item Review

Candidates use the Next button to move to the next question. Candidates are not required to provide an answer before moving to the next question. However, if the candidate does continue without answering the question, the candidate will not be able to navigate back or review any missed items at the end of the test.

Note that for PTE Home the screens will auto advance if Next is not clicked.

Results

Official: Candidates can view/print their score reports by logging into their account at www.mypte.pearsonpte.com. Candidates will receive a score report notification via email once their scores are available. Candidates' official score reports are typically available within 5 business days.

Printout: No

Web-based score: Yes

The PTE exams should not be stopped if misconduct is witnessed.

If a misconduct incident occurs while an exam is in progress, please allow the candidate to continue with their test and create a case, selecting Exam delivery and Candidate error or misconduct.

The case must include details of the misconduct incident and any supporting proof found during the exam must be attached.

Note: If a candidate leaves the building during a scheduled or unscheduled break, raise a misconduct case. PTE will review the case and take any appropriate action.

A PTE certified administrator at a test centre can sit a PTE test, but they must do this at a different centre to the one they work at.

SELT Testing

Applicable for all SELT Testing ONLY (PTE Academic-UKVI, PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2, PTE Home B1)

If the CCTV at the site is faulty or experiencing any technical issue and is unable to record, candidates must not be allowed to test. A case must be raised, and the candidate will be offered a reschedule free of charge.

Candidates should contact customer support to reschedule the test. Manual monitoring is not permitted for SELT testing.

Power Outage or Technical Issue

If a power outage or technical issue occurs that results in lost exam time, and the candidate wishes to wait, contact VSS for instructions and create a case.

If necessary, technical support will add time to the section of the test where the time was lost. If that section time has expired, the time is added to the next section.

If the time lost due to the technical difficulties is more than 30 minutes, raise a case and offer the candidate a free test.

Fire Drill or Alarm

In the event of a fire drill or fire alarm, the TA should follow the test centre procedure.

The TA should not stop the test for each candidate.

In the case of an evacuation, once the candidates are safely evacuated, the TA must reiterate the test expectations e.g., they must not discuss the test, access lockers, phones, etc.

A test centre case must be raised. Candidates will be contacted by Pearson VUE for further support.

Note: Reschedules may only be applicable in the case of an evacuation due to a fire alarm.

Issues with Headsets or Keyboards

Each test has an untimed equipment check section at the beginning of the test where the headset, microphone and keyboard are checked.

If any of these items do not pass the equipment check, replace them with a new set. It is not necessary to stop the exam or create a case during this time.

If the candidate reports that the headset does not work during the exam, the TA should pause the exam and unplug the headset. Locate a new headset and plug it in to the USB port on the front of the computer. Resume the exam and navigate to the next item. Create a candidate case report to document the item number on which the test was stopped and the reason for the resume. The exam will resume at the same point it was stopped and no time will be lost.

Issues with Exam Volume

If the candidate reports that the volume level is too low on the machine, the TA should stop the exam and adjust the volume on the computer to the maximum level. This usually happens during the equipment check section but can also happen at any time during the exam. Contact VSS for support if required. Once the volume has been adjusted, resume the exam. Create a candidate case report to document the item number on which the test was stopped and the reason for the resume. The exam will resume at the same point it was stopped and no time will be lost.

Workstation Issues

If a workstation goes down or is not working properly, please contact VSS for instruction.

Note: If VSS is unable to resume the exam, stop the exam and create a case. The candidate can contact customer support to reschedule the test.

Note: for any technical issue resulting in a candidate’s test being rescheduled, use the exam abandon feature to complete the test.

PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI

PTE Academic is an international academic test of English. PTE Academic UKVI is the same test but with a slightly different registration journey and score report which makes it suitable for UK visa applications.

A guide to the test and its format is available at https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/test-format.

PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2, PTE Home B1

There are three PTE Home tests which are suitable for UK visa applications.

A guide to the tests and their format is available:

PTE Home A1 https://www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-home-a1

PTE Home A2 https://www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-home-a2

PTE Home B1 https://www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-home-b1

PTE Core 

PTE Core is English test that assesses general speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. PTE Core is for migration or work visa and can also be used for applying for Canadian citizenship. 

A guide to the test and its format is available at https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-core/test-format. 

General Information for All Tests

Tests taken for visa or citizenship applications are often referred to as SELT (Secure English Languages Tests)

The copy, paste, cut, and undo functions are only enabled when a candidate is working on an exam item that contains a response box. These functions only work on the text candidates type into the response box themselves, the functions cannot be used on any of the text that appears outside of the response box.

In some questions, candidates are required to speak their response into a microphone. The microphone is provided by Pearson VUE and will be part of the headset. It is recommended that candidates wear the headset for the entire duration of the test to help minimize distractions.

Registration/Scheduling Methods

Candidates must register and create a myPTE account online before scheduling a test.

Refer to https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/booking-managing-test.

Tests may NOT be scheduled, rescheduled, or cancelled at a test centre. This can be done online by accessing the myPTE account. www.pearsonpte.com

When an account is created, a unique client candidate ID is generated I the format of: PTE + 9 digits.

Once a candidate has created an account, they will receive an email with confirmation of their username.

Candidates will also receive an email asking them to verify their email address.

PTE tests can be scheduled online at https://www.pearsonpte.com/.

All PTE exams should be scheduled at least one full business day (24 hours) in advance.

Candidates are advised that they must read the Test Takers Handbook before booking a test. Refer to https://www.pearsonpte.com/test-taker-handbook.

Candidates can refer to test policies here: Policy center | Pearson PTE

Registration/Scheduling Information

During registration and scheduling, candidates will be required to answer additional questions.

• Registration: There are required Background Information Questions (BIQs) to answer under the Client Info tab in Registration Manager.

• Scheduling: There are 18 additional BIQs under the Details tab in Registration Manager.

Candidates must agree to the terms outlined in the Test Taker handbook before scheduling a test. Candidates are reminded to read the Test Taker handbook in the PTE email sent prior to the test date.

Rescheduling and Cancelling

PTE candidates can reschedule or cancel their exams anytime, subject to a fee as summarised in the table below:

Refer to https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/booking-managing-test.

If a candidate wishes to rebook a PTE test, this can be done by logging in to their myPTE account.

A candidate can schedule a new test as soon as their latest score is available.

A candidate can only have one active testing appointment at a time.

A candidate can take up to 12 tests within a 12-month rolling window. Link to policy: Retake policy (pearsonpte.com)

Candidates wishing to take the PTE Home test are not permitted to schedule a new test if they have passed an attempt within the last two years.

Accommodations are provided for test takers who have special requirements wherever possible.

For information on the type of accommodation available and how to request an accommodation, refer to https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-special-requirements.

PTE exams are delivered globally in PPCs and PVTC Selects, in Americas, EMEA, APAC, Japan, and China.

Exam sponsor website: http://pearsonpte.com/.

Cases

A case must be created for all issues related to a candidate's exam or registration. This is to ensure information is linked to a candidate's test record.

Please refer to the assist portal under resources: 'Policies and Procedures Guide for Service Direct' when raising a case to ensure the correct case type is raised. 

If there is a problem that affects a group of candidates (such as when backup admissions data are used), be sure to create a case for each candidate who was affected rather than creating one case for the entire group.

If the candidate makes additional comments or a complaint related to the issue, these additional statements should be documented in the case.

Note: The test centre should only share case numbers with candidates when the candidate requests one or if a reschedule is warranted due to a technical issue at the site.

If your Test Centre delivers UKVI tests (PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home), please notify Pearson VUE (CCOMs team) if the Test Centre Manager or Test Centre Administrator has changed and provide a declaration that any new staff members have been vetted. The CCOMs can be reached at these email addresses. Test centers in Asia-Pacific region should contact pvpteapac@pearson.com and others can write to pvpterow@pearson.com

Due to the unique timing of the PTE-A and PTE-E tests, VSS must be contacted if an exam needs to be ended early. A case must be created.

VSS will create a log including the reason for ending the exam.

VSS may also be able to solve any technical issues associated with the test and provide any necessary advice.

How to end a PTE-A and PTE-E Exams:

As PTE Academic UKVI & PTE Home can be used for migration into the UK. The UK Home Office will be conducting unannounced audits at test centres delivering these tests.

There are different contracts for UK audits and Rest of World (RoW) audits.

Pearson VUE provides customer support for all PTE candidate related concerns and questions.

If a candidate raises a query at a test centre, it should be managed by Pearson VUE. Candidates should not be directed to contact PTE.

If a candidate has a question or complaint about a PTE exam, first determine if it relates to exam content, or another issue. Take the appropriate action as detailed below:

Registration and Scheduling Questions

For information relating to test registration, refer the candidate to https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/booking-managing-test.

For information relating to scheduling, rescheduling or cancelling an exam appointment direct the candidate to the PTE Website at https://www.pearsonpte.com/

Score or Score Report

For questions relating to score reports, receiving scores, or viewing scores, refer the candidate to https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/scoring.

Rescore Request

For rescore requests, direct the candidate to the Pearson VUE Call Centre

PTE Policy Questions

For questions relating to PTEexam policies direct the candidate to the PTE Test taker handbook www.pearsonpte.com/test-taker-handbook or the PTE Policy Centre https://www.pearsonpte.com/policy-center

Complaints About Exam Content

For complaints about exam items, typographical errors, wording of questions or answers, or any other item related to the content of the exam, create a case.

The case should contain a detailed description of the issue or complaint described by the candidate, along with the exam item number if possible. If it is not possible to record this information, include as much detail as possible.

TAs may assist candidates with exam functionality; however, they must be very careful NOT to engage in discussions with candidates about the meaning of exam questions or specific words used in an exam. Any discussion of exam content between the TA and candidate could result in the candidate gaining an unfair advantage in the test and is classed as malpractice.