Free PTE Core mock tests
Each PTE Core mock test covers every part of the exam in one timed sitting, in Pearson's order. Mock test 1 is free; by our measure the easiest to start with is PTE Core Full Mock Test 3.
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
64 questions · 120 min · audio provided
PTE Core practice tests by section
Drill one skill at a time. Each test page lists its topics, shows a real sample question and rates its difficulty against the other seven.
PTE Core speaking practice tests
8 tests · test 1 free · expert scored with feedback
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
30 questions · 35 min
PTE Core writing practice tests
8 tests · test 1 free · expert scored with feedback
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
3 questions · 30 min
PTE Core reading practice tests
8 tests · test 1 free · scored instantly, every answer shown
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
15 questions · 30 min
PTE Core listening practice tests
8 tests · test 1 free · scored instantly, every answer shown
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
16 questions · 40 min · audio provided
PTE Core test format
PTE Core takes about two hours in one sitting and has 19 scored task types across three parts. The practice tests follow the same order.
| Part | Time | Scored task types |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Speaking and Writing | About 50 minutes | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation, Answer Short Question, Summarize Written Text and Write Email (plus an unscored Personal Introduction) |
| Part 2: Reading | 27 to 37 minutes | Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers), Reorder Paragraphs, Reading: Fill in the Blanks and Multiple Choice (Single Answer) |
| Part 3: Listening | 22 to 37 minutes | Summarize Spoken Text (a 45 to 75 second recording, 8 minutes to write 20 to 30 words), Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers), Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice (Single Answer), Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words and Write from Dictation |
Source: Pearson PTE Core test format, checked 23 September 2026. For every task side by side with PTE Academic, see the PTE exam format guide.
PTE Core vs PTE Academic
- Purpose. PTE Core is the general English test IRCC accepts for Canadian economic immigration. PTE Academic is for university study and many student and skilled-migration visas.
- Tasks. Core has 19 scored task types to Academic's 22. It uses Write Email instead of Write Essay, and it has no Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion or Highlight Correct Summary.
- Scoring. Both report an overall score and a score for each skill on the same 10 to 90 scale. For Canada, each PTE Core skill score converts to a CLB level (below).
PTE Core scores and CLB levels
IRCC converts each PTE Core skill score to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level. A skill counts at a level when its score falls in that row, so a CLB 7 target means at least 68 in speaking, 60 in listening, 60 in reading and 69 in writing.
| CLB | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89 to 90 | 89 to 90 | 88 to 90 | 90 |
| CLB 9 | 84 to 88 | 82 to 88 | 78 to 87 | 88 to 89 |
| CLB 8 | 76 to 83 | 71 to 81 | 69 to 77 | 79 to 87 |
| CLB 7 | 68 to 75 | 60 to 70 | 60 to 68 | 69 to 78 |
| CLB 6 | 59 to 67 | 50 to 59 | 51 to 59 | 60 to 68 |
| CLB 5 | 51 to 58 | 39 to 49 | 42 to 50 | 51 to 59 |
| CLB 4 | 42 to 50 | 28 to 38 | 33 to 41 | 41 to 50 |
Source: IRCC Express Entry language testing and Pearson PTE Core scoring, checked 23 September 2026. IRCC accepts PTE Core for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class programs, and your results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you apply.
How these PTE Core practice tests work
Reading and listening questions are scored the moment you finish, and the review shows your answer next to the correct one. Speaking is scored from your recorded voice for pronunciation, oral fluency and emphasis, and speaking and writing responses are expert scored on content and language, with the report emailed to you. Each test's own page lists the topics of every passage and recording, shows a real sample question and rates its difficulty against the other tests in its set, so you can use the set as structured PTE Core practice material, working from easier tests to harder ones.
Our Core speaking tests also include Summarize Group Discussion, and the listening tests Highlight Correct Summary. Both are PTE Academic tasks rather than PTE Core ones, so treat them as extra practice.
PTE Core practice test FAQ
Is there a free PTE Core practice test?
Yes. The first test in every PTE Core set is free: PTE Core Full Mock Test 1 and the first speaking, writing, reading and listening tests. The other 35 PTE Core practice tests are premium.
How long is the PTE Core test?
About two hours in one sitting. Pearson lists about 50 minutes for Speaking and Writing, 27 to 37 minutes for Reading and 22 to 37 minutes for Listening.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 7?
For CLB 7, IRCC needs at least 68 in speaking, 60 in listening, 60 in reading and 69 in writing. The full CLB 7 ranges are 68 to 75, 60 to 70, 60 to 68 and 69 to 78.
What PTE Core score do I need for CLB 9?
For CLB 9, IRCC needs at least 84 in speaking, 82 in listening, 78 in reading and 88 in writing.
What is the difference between PTE Core and PTE Academic?
PTE Core is the general English test IRCC accepts for Canadian economic immigration; PTE Academic is for university study and many other visas. Both use the 10 to 90 scale, but Core has 19 scored task types to Academic's 22: it uses Write Email instead of Write Essay and has no Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion or Highlight Correct Summary.
How long are PTE Core results valid for Express Entry?
IRCC requires your results to be less than two years old both when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.