# PTE Core vs PTE Academic: which should you take?

> PTE Core is a general English test for Canadian immigration; PTE Academic is for study and for visas in Australia and the UK (as PTE Academic UKVI). How they differ and which one your goal needs.
- **Author**: Testmigo
- **Published**: 2026-09-19
- **Category**: Visa & scores
- **URL**: https://testmigo.com/blog/pte-core-vs-pte-academic

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## The short answer

Take PTE Core if you're applying for Canadian permanent residency, citizenship or a post-graduation work permit: it is IRCC-approved, and Express Entry doesn't accept PTE Academic. Take PTE Academic for university study and for Australian visas, and PTE Academic UKVI for UK visas. PTE Core is not on Australia's list of accepted English tests.

## Side by side

|  | PTE Core | PTE Academic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it tests | General English for the workplace and community | Academic English for study |
| Main uses | Canadian PR, citizenship and post-graduation work permits (IRCC) | University admission; Australian visas; UK visas as PTE Academic UKVI |
| Length | About 2 hours | About 2 hours, maximum 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Sections | Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening | Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening (22 task types) |
| Scores | Map directly to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) | 10-90 overall and per skill |
| 2025 changes | Unchanged | Two new task types added for tests after 7 August 2025 |

*From Pearson's PTE Core and PTE updates pages and the Department of Home Affairs, checked 19 September 2026.*

## How to choose

- Canada Express Entry: PTE Core (or IELTS General Training or CELPIP). See the [CLB score table](/blog/ielts-score-canada-express-entry).
- Australia: PTE Academic, with the component minimums in [PTE scores for Australian visas](/blog/pte-score-australia-pr).
- UK: PTE Academic UKVI at an approved centre; see [English test scores for UK visas](/blog/uk-visa-english-requirements).
- University study: usually PTE Academic, but check each university's list.

Both tests share the same three-part structure, so speaking, writing, reading and listening practice carries over. Testmigo's [free PTE mock](/pte) follows the PTE Academic format across all 22 task types.

## Common questions

### Is PTE Core accepted for Canada Express Entry?

Yes. Pearson says PTE Core is accepted for all Canadian economic immigration programs that require an IRCC-approved English test.

### Can I use PTE Core for Australia?

No. Australia's Department of Home Affairs lists PTE Academic, not PTE Core, among its accepted English tests.

### Is PTE Core easier than PTE Academic?

They test different kinds of English: PTE Core uses everyday workplace and community language, while PTE Academic uses academic language. Choose the one your visa or university accepts.

### How fast are PTE Core results?

Pearson says most test takers get results within two business days.

**Sources**
- [Pearson: PTE Core (checked 19 September 2026)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-core)
- [Pearson: PTE updates 2025](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)
- [Department of Home Affairs: Competent English (accepted tests)](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english)
- [IRCC: Express Entry language tests](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html)

## Related guides

- [IELTS vs PTE vs CELPIP vs LanguageCert (2026): which English test should you take?](https://testmigo.com/blog/which-english-test-ielts-pte-celpip-languagecert)
- [IELTS scores for Canada Express Entry (2026): the CLB conversion table](https://testmigo.com/blog/ielts-score-canada-express-entry)
- [PTE and IELTS scores for Australian visas (2026): the component-based levels](https://testmigo.com/blog/pte-score-australia-pr)

[Practise with a free PTE Academic mock](https://testmigo.com/pte)
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