What is PTE certificate? How to take the test? Where is it recognized?

Surely, many people have heard of PTE, but not everyone understands exactly what a PTE certificate is? If you are too familiar with the phrases "certificate" IELTS, TOEFL,.. PTE is also a similar form of certificate.

1.1. What is PTE? What is PTE Academic?

PTE is an abbreviation for Pearson's Test of English - is a computer-based English test, used to assess 4 skills in English: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing of international students or those who intend to settle abroad. Currently, PTE consists of 3 types of tests:

• PTE Young Learners (for elementary school children)

• PTE General (PTE General: for high school students)

• PTE Academic

In particular, PTE Academic is the most popular type of test for those who intend to study abroad and settle in countries where the main language is English such as the US, Australia, Canada, Singapore,... Although not as popular as IELTS or TOEFL, the PTE Academic test is also considered by many international students. Normally, test scores will be updated after 24 hours and no later than 5 days.

1.2. Subjects of the PTE certificate exam

The PTE certificate is for those who plan to study abroad at high schools, colleges, and universities,.. or settle or work in countries where English is the primary language. In particular, the time to register for participation and take the PTE certificate exam is fast, so it is very suitable for those who are preparing to study abroad in a short time.

The age to participate in the exam is that candidates must be at least 16 years old. For those aged 16-18, parental consent is required (consent form from PTE), while those over 18 years old can register for the exam on their own.

1.3. Value of PTE certificate

The PTE certificate is widely recognized globally, so how valuable is the PTE certificate for international students? Understanding the value of PTE will help you easily allocate and arrange for study abroad and settlement plans more easily and conveniently:

1 - Shelf life

The PTE certificate is usually valid for 2 years, but for those who take the PTE for the purpose of immigration and vocational skills assessment in Australia, the certificate issued will be valid for 3 years. Therefore, before taking the exam, candidates must consider choosing the form of the exam that suits their plan and time to study abroad.

2 - Where is the PTE certificate recognized?

PTE certification is widely recognized globally, so everyone can completely choose the PTE Academic exam while considering applications for student visas, immigration and work abroad. PTE certificates are recognized in a number of organizations and countries such as:

• 100% of universities and colleges for international students in Australia and New Zealand; Department of Immigration, Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

• 98% of Universities and Colleges in the UK, UK Admissions System, UK Border Department.

• Two-thirds of universities and colleges in the US and Canada such as Harvard and Yale,..

• Admissions of Universities in Finland

• International TESOL Association

• Business schools in countries such as INSEAD, HEC Paris in France, IESE, IE Business School & ESADE in Spain,...

• Citizenship and Immigration Service of the Republic of Ireland. In particular, PTE certificates are accepted for student visas for long-term visas in this country.

1.4. Comparison of PTE, IELTS and TOEFL

Comparison table of differences between PTE certificates and other types of foreign language certificates

In order to have an objective view and clear understanding of the PTE certificate, students and those who are interested in the certificate, this exam can refer to the pros and cons through the summary below:

2.1. Advantages of PTE Certificate

PTE is a new certificate, but it is quite popular and has been chosen by many students in recent times with many positive advantages:

1 - Widely recognized in the world

PTE Academic is widely recognized globally and can be used in parallel or in place of other English language certificates. Most universities and colleges in the world and some of the top business schools in countries such as Spain, France, Italy,... all recognize PTE certificates. Besides, there are also many embassies, organizations and citizenship services,... PTE Academic recognition is a certificate that meets the English language criteria to apply for a student and immigrant visa.

2 - High security and fairness

The PTE Academic exam is conducted and scored entirely on a computer, security and confidentiality procedures, eliminating cases of errors or subjective evaluation and scoring from humans. This is considered the most different point compared to other English certificates.

3 - Cheap exam fees

The PTE exam fee is considered lower than taking other foreign language certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL,... In particular, if you register for the exam early, the fee will also be cheaper: Before 48 hours, the fee is 150 - 170 USD (about 3.7 - 3.9 million VND); Register for the exam in the range of 24 - 47 hours, the TH fee falls in the range of 180 - 200 (about 4.2 - 4.7 million VND)

4 - Submit test scores quickly, with no limit on the number and no extra fees

PTE test results are fast and accurate after 24 hours and no later than 5 days from the test date. Candidates will receive an email notifying them that their test scores are available, and the email will instruct them on how to access their test scores and how to transfer them to the school you are applying for.

2.2. Disadvantages of PTE Certification

In addition to the above advantages, the PTE exam also has more limitations than other certifications such as:

1 – Less common PTE certifications

PTE is less common than IELTS or TOEFL certificates. Therefore, there are also few PTE exam training institutions, so you need to learn and carefully refer to the exam procedures and conditions as well as have a specific and clear exam preparation route to get a high score.

The PTE test consists of 3 main parts: Speaking and Writing, Listening, Reading, lasting for 3 hours. Specifically, the contests are as follows:

3.1. Part 1: Speaking and Writing (77 - 93 minutes)

Exam and time for the "Speaking and Writing" test:

3.2. Part 2: Reading (32 - 41 minutes)

Exam and time to do the "Reading" test:

3.3. Part 3: Listening (45 - 57 minutes)

Exam and time for the "Listening" test:

4.1. How to calculate PTE certification points

PTE certificates are scored based on the following factors:

• The score of 1 part of the PTE exam will be added to the other sections. Compared to IELTS, the test of this certificate will be scored separately in each section. For example, in the PTE test, the score in the speaking section is also used to score listening skills.

• The PTE test is applied AI technology with a marking feature that produces results similar to that of the marking examiner.

• The PTE speaking test does not focus on the accuracy of the content in the speaking process like IELTS, but instead the computer assesses the candidate's ability to speak fluently and fluently.

4.2. PTE point conversion table

Compared to other English certificates such as IELTS or TOEFL, how will the PTE score be converted? If you are still wondering how to convert this point, you can refer to the PTE point conversion table below to be able to convert the equivalent PTE points to other certificates by yourself:

PTE to IELTS and TOEFL score conversion table

To obtain the PTE certificate, you need to complete the exam registration procedures, pay a fee and update the exact time and location for the registered exam:

1 - How to register for the PTE exam

• Step 1: Register for the PTE exam by visiting the mypte.pearsonpte.com website to create an account. After completing the registration information, you will receive a confirmation email in about 2 business days. Please check your email to update your PTE account credentials.

• Step 2: Register and schedule for the PTE exam

• Step 3: Pay the exam fee

• Step 4: Prepare and arrive at the test center on time

2 - How to pay the exam fee

There are 2 ways to pay the exam fee:

• Payment in USD via international payment card: By paying directly on the exam registration website. Card payment methods include: debit card (Visa or Master Card accepted) and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB)

• Pay in VND via bank transfer or cash: If you do not have an international payment card, you can purchase an EMG Education voucher to pay when registering on Pearson's website. (voucher at 4 million 2 depending on the time according to the exchange rate)

3 - How to change and cancel the exam schedule

In case the candidate has registered for the exam and has a change in the plan and wants to change or cancel the exam schedule, it is necessary to contact the exam board to cancel. Forms include: Online on the website, phone call or email.

Regulations on refund of exam fees: Depending on the time of cancellation of the exam, the exam fee will be refunded or not:

• Cancellation of the exam schedule more than 14 days before the exam: candidates will be fully refunded the previous exam registration fee

• Cancellation of the exam schedule within 7 - 14 days: 50% of the exam fee will be refunded

• Cancellation less than 7 days before the exam: candidates will not be refunded the previous fee.

4 - Exam location

In Vietnam, Pearson - the managing unit of the PTE exam, authorizes 2 units, EMG Education and Duc Anh in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. HCM.

In the account creation confirmation email, the exam organizer will send you information about the exam schedule, exam location, and other required information. Candidates need to make sure to grasp and remember the following notes to ensure the most favorable exam:

1 - 4 notes before the exam

• Attendance time: Candidates must be at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam time to read the terms, regulations, and protocols and prepare supplies before entering the exam room. If you are late 15 minutes after the start of the exam, candidates will not be allowed to participate in the exam.

• Documents to prepare: A valid passport to declare information that matches the passport. At the same time, when entering the exam room, the proctor will check their identity documents, take photos, scan the veins of the palms, and copy their passports to ensure cheating when participating in the PTE exam.

• Objects brought into the exam room: paper towels; cough medicine has been opened; neck belts for neck injuries; pillows to support or support the neck, back, arms, and legs in case of injury; sweaters and jackets with pockets and must ensure that the pockets are empty; glass; hearing aids; personal insulin pump.

• Items that are not allowed to be brought into the exam room: Telephone; laptops, personal digital devices, electronic devices; jewelry with a size of > 1cm; clock; wallet bags; hat; bookish. These items will be required to be stored in a locked storage cabinet.

2 - 4 notes when taking the test

The 4 contents of the exam include: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing will have different forms of testing, to have a perfect test, you need to note:

• Listening Test: Stay focused to avoid distractions as you will hear questions in a variety of English accents and only hear them once.

• Speaking Test: Think carefully and calmly answer most fluently because you have to answer several questions and be recorded 1 time.

• Reading Test: Candidates answer questions according to the given paragraph. The questions will include single and integrated skills to assess reading comprehension. It is not necessary to answer in order, you can move on to the next sentence if it is difficult.

• Writing test: Candidates answer 2-3 questions in 200-300 words in academic English, pay attention to correct spelling and grammar to get a high score

3 - 4 notes after the exam

• Score reporting time: Candidates will receive test scores within 1-5 days after that.

• How to view test scores: You will receive an email notifying you that your scores are available with instructions on how to view your scores and transfer them to your school. To view your test scores, you need to: Log in to the website https://pearsonvue.com/ → Log in to your test registration account → Select "View Score Reports" → Select "View" and view your test scores

The above content is the most detailed sharing of PTE certificates for students, students who plan to study abroad, and those who are interested in settling abroad. IDP Education hopes that the above sharing will help you get more useful information to prepare for the PTE certification exam and your best study abroad baggage.

If you still have questions that need to be answered to study abroad in countries around the world, don't be afraid Contact IDP Education for the most detailed, accurate, and fast answers!

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