Understanding your PTE test scores and university entry requirements

A group of students celebrating results
Reading time: 4 minutes

So you've just received your PTE score and are looking at what to make of them and what universities you can apply to. Don't stress, we've got you covered.

Whether you're an international student or already a professional looking to upskill, PTE is a crucial milestone on your academic and career journey.

Understanding your PTE scores is vital for self-assessment and university admission requirements globally. Read on to find out how PTE academic scores impact university admissions when you're a test taker looking at studying abroad.

Understanding your PTE test scores for university admission
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Decoding the PTE score report

The PTE Academic test assesses your proficiency in the English language across four modules: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Each section is scored on a band ranging from 10 to 90, with 90 being the highest attainable score.

When you receive your PTE score report, you will notice that it includes not just these individual band scores but also an overall score. This overall score is not simply an average of the four modules; rather it is a weighted score based on your performance across all sections. Understanding this can be key to identifying your strengths and areas for improvement.

What does a PTE Academic sample score look like?

Here is a sample score report:

A copy of a PTE test report -  with the text:  ÃÛÌÒapp | PTE Academic | Test Taker Score Report Score Report Code: 876543A21B Example Test Taker Overall Score Test Taker ID: PTE987654321 Reg ID: 987654321 61 Communicative Skills 55 62 65 63 Listening Reading Speaking Skills breakdown Writing Test Centre Information 61 Overall Test Date: 11 Feb 2019 Example Test Taker 876543A21B Listening 55 Reading 62 Speaking 65 Writing 63 Enabling Skills Grammar 70 Oral Fluency 67 Pronunciation 45 Spelling 70 Vocabulary 59 Written Discourse 63 Valid Until: 11 Feb 2021 Report Issue Date: 15 Feb 2019 Test Centre Country: United Kingdom Test Centre ID: 00011 Candidate Information Date of Birth: 12 Aug 1995 Country of Citizenship: China Country of Residence: United Kingdom Gender: Female Email:ptecandidate 123@ptecandidate.com First-Time Test Taker: Yes

You can search and get more information about .

How to interpret your scores

It's essential to recognize that every element of the test is scored, including correct pronunciation and oral fluency in speaking tasks, grammar and vocabulary in writing, as well as comprehension and summarizing skills in reading and listening sections.

A closer look at this sample score report reveals more details about the skill breakdown, grammar, oral fluency and vocabulary, which are also vital components considered by universities to judge your command of English.

Applying scores to university entry requirements

When it comes to university entry requirements, institutions have varying benchmarks for PTE scores. Typically, universities require an overall score and may also have specific band requirements for each module.

For example, a university might require an overall PTE score of 65 with no band score less than 50 in each test module.

What score do I need to get into university?

No entry requirement is the same, and it depends on the course and university. It's important to look up what the universities you like need. You can find this on their website or by asking their admissions office.

Postgraduate courses generally require a higher score than undergraduate ones. Courses that require the student to have a deeper understanding of the English language to comprehend the subject will also generally require a high score level.

What is a good PTE score?

There isn't a good or bad score. Your language learning score reflects your efforts and skills, and shows areas needing improvement. The score's significance lies in what it means for your learning journey and goals.

My test score is lower than the required amount

It's important to talk to the universities you've applied for. Sometimes they can be more flexible with their entry requirements than they show on their websites. By talking directly to the admissions teams, you can understand how your PTE scores fit in.

If your scores are a bit low, they might look at other parts of your application to see your skills. So, don't be afraid to ask questions and find out how to improve your application. If you aren’t completely confident you're going to reach your test goal. You can also take our to see if and where you need to improve your English skills.

Some universities may offer conditional acceptance, allowing students to enroll in English language preparatory courses or exams if their PTE scores fall slightly short. Make sure to check with them to see if they have extra courses you can take.

Which universities accept PTE?

The PTE Academic test is globally recognized and accepted by numerous countries for university admissions, making it a valuable asset for international students.

Predominantly, countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States offer a wide range of universities and colleges that acknowledge the PTE test scores as proof of English language proficiency. In the UK and Australia, for instance, the PTE test is widely accepted across all higher education institutions, including some of the world's top universities.

Meanwhile, in Canada and the USA, an increasing number of institutions are starting to recognize the value of PTE scores.

PTE scores are accepted not only in English-speaking countries but also in non-English speaking countries with English programs. Prospective students should check individual university requirements before applying, as they may differ by country and institution. .

A gateway to opportunity

Your PTE test scores open doors to global education. Understand the scoring system for universities to ease your application. Use scores to assess your level, improve language skills and clarify university needs for your goals to come true.

Every test taker is unique, so customize your preparation to your needs and strengths. With dedication, confidence and practice, you can achieve PTE success and confidently find your place in the academic world.

Find out and learn more on the PTE website and see where your English skills can take you. Good luck!

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Business woman presenting and discussing with two people in front of her

    How to recruit more effectively: leveraging language assessment AI

    By Samantha Ball
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    There areÌýÌýwhy recruiters use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their hiring process: to save time, provide valuable insights and to make their jobs easier.

    The recruitment process is vital to any thriving business, but it can be time-consuming and labor intensive. Sourcing candidates, screening resumes, conducting interviews and making hiring decisions can be stop-start, with some time-wasting tasks and reprocessing. However, as technology continues to evolve, the role of AI in recruitment is becoming increasingly important.

    With the help of AI, Talent Acquisition leads can improve their recruiting processes, save time and find better-quality candidates. believe AI greatly enhances talent acquisition and retention.

  • A teacher stood at a students desk helping them

    How the GSE can help teachers personalize activities

    By

    Reading time: 4.5 minutes

    Teaching is an art form that thrives on adaptation and personalization. When dealing with language instruction, ensuring that each student is engaged and effectively learning is of paramount importance. In my experience as a teacher, I have learned that we should always teach our students rather than the coursebook or the syllabus. I think most teachers would agree with this.

    However, it may be challenging to adapt activities to cater to our learners’ needs. What does personalizing an activity mean? How can we make it more accessible to our English learners? One would think that making the answers more obvious can be the way to go. Yet, this does not really help students learn and make progress. That's where the Global Scale of English (GSE) comes in as a valuable tool for personalizing teaching activities.

    The essence of personalized learning

    Personalizing an activity in language teaching does not simply mean making the responses more obvious. Instead, it's about tailoring the exercise to elevate the student's learning experience and potential for progress. This demands an insightful approach during the preparation phase of any given lesson.

    Utilizing the GSE in language teaching

    Let’s analyze this listening activity at A2 level for a group of adults:

    Audio script example:

    Emma: Are you working on the Media project?

    Vic: Yes. I may start working on a new project in a couple of weeks, but for now I’m writing the objectives for Media. Why?

    Emma: Well, Adam wants to see the photos for the project. He needs them for the ads.

    Vic: Oh, they’ll be ready next week. OK?

    Emma: Awesome! Thanks. Any plans for the weekend?

    Vic: Well, I have to work on Saturday. We’re taking the Media pictures in the morning, but we’re just going to have fun at the beach in the afternoon.

    Emma: Nice!

    Vic: What about you? What are you doing this weekend?

    Emma: I’m going to a concert on Sunday at 3 pm.

    Vic: That sounds fun!

    Listen and write T (true) or F (false)

    1. Vic is working on a new project.

    2.Ìý Vic is working on Saturday morning.

    3. Emma is going to a concert on Sunday evening.

    GSE Descriptors

    Upon dissecting this example by the GSE descriptors, we can identify the learning objectives that align with an A2 level:

    • Can identify simple information in a short video, provided that the visual supports this information and the delivery is slow and clear. (GSE 30)

    • Can identify basic factual information in short, simple dialogues or narratives on familiar everyday topics, if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 32)

    • Can understand the main information in short, simple dialogues about familiar activities, if spoken slowly and clearly.Ìý(GSE 33)

    • Can identify key information (e.g., places, times) from short audio recordings if spoken slowly and clearly. (GSE 33)

    We know that learners should be given a global task first for overall listening, which is also one of the communicative objectives in the Global Scale of English:

  • a group of friends smiling and looking at the one who is writing in a notepad

    Tips to help achieve your language learning resolutions

    By ÃÛÌÒapp Languages

    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Welcome to the beginning of a new year, filled with countless possibilities and exciting opportunities for learning a new language. If you're like most people, you probably have some language learning resolutions and goals you'd like to achieve this year.

    While setting these goals is easy, sticking to them can appear daunting. But don't worry, we’re here to help you not only set those goals but also achieve them like a pro. Below are some useful tips to help turn your language aspirations into reality this year and to keep you motivated towards your goals.