PTE Guide: PTE Academic VS PTE General

Bhargavee Sisodia

11 Jun 2024

Do you want to prove your English language skills for academic or job related reasons? PTE or the Pearson Test of English is your best bet. But with two types of PTE, the General and Academic, deciding which one is best for you may be a bit confusing.job-related

Which one is better PTE General or PTE Academic? This is a common concern among students planning to prove their English language skills during the test. The two types of the test are the PTE General and the PTE Academic which is also known as The Pearson Test of English. With these differences in purpose and format, however, it is very important to know which PTE test one should be taking in order to be effective. This piece will aim to compare and contrast these two PTE options with a view of helping the reader make a better choice.

What is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic is a Computer Based Test (CBT) that is developed to assess the English language capability of the candidates intending to pursue their higher education in an English-speaking country. It also evaluates your comprehension, production, receptive and productive skills in language use for academic purposes; classroom and tutorial, assignment writing, presentations, and group discussions. PTE Academic scores are accepted by most of universities across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, and many other countries.

What is PTE General?

PTE General is a more general test that checks your English language skills in terms of day-to-day communication. This is suitable for people who want to work, migrate or study in an English-speaking country but do not need the academic proficiency of PTE Academic. While the PTE Academic is usually taken for university admission purposes, the PTE General is used for immigration purposes for instance by immigration authorities and some professional bodies.

Difference between PTE Academic and PTE General 

Now, let's delve deeper into the key differences between the PTE General test and the PTE Academic test:

Purpose of the Test

PTE Academic-

• Tailored for Academic Success: It is a test that has been designed to assess the proper English language proficiency capable of being used in universities. It mimics the reading, writing, listening and speaking exercises that one is most likely to experience in an academic lecture, seminar or research.
• Impress Universities Worldwide: PTE Academic test scores can be submitted to most of universities across the globe as proof of English language proficiency. The score you receive in the PTE Academic test is an indication of your language strength to contribute to academic discourse, to comprehend and analyze texts and to communicate in written and spoken form.

PTE General-

• Practical English for Real-World Situations: The PTE General test is to evaluate your proficiency of the spoken and written English that you use in your day-to-day life. This makes it ideal for individuals seeking to:This makes it ideal for individuals seeking to:
• Work Abroad: Many employers in many countries have nowadays’ consideration for employees who are fluent in English. A high PTE General score will help you get a better job as well as prove your English language skills in a workplace.
• Migrate or Travel: PTE General can be used as a effective means to fulfil the English language requirement for migration or visa purpose.
• Enhance Everyday Communication: If you want to meet with co-workers, get around in an English-speaking country or simply enhance your communication skills, PTE General will be of great assistance to you.

Test Format

PTE Academic-

• Completely Computer-Based: The PTE Academic test is a completely online-based test. This eliminate the bias that can be brought about by human testers and also ensures that the testing is done in a standard environment.
• Reading, writing, listening, and speaking: are evaluated through different activities that are displayed on the computer monitor.
• Some of the tasks are reading an academic text and answering multiple choice questions, note-taking, and speaking about images.

PTE General-

• Written Paper (75%): It includes reading section (multiple choice, fill in the blanks, summarizing), writing section (summary writing, email writing) and a listening section (multiple choice, fill in the blanks seca tion).
• Spoken Interview (25%): A second interview conducted by a human assessor is also on conversational English, reading part and answering questions.

Scoring and Results

• PTE Academic: Assigns points to each of the four skill areas namely reading, writing, listening and speaking ranging from 0 to 90. This is usually done and the results are usually ready within 48 hours.
• PTE General: Presents a total score and does not allow one to see the areas of strength and weakness. Mores the result usually take five business days to be released.

Validity Period

• PTE Academic: The scores are however only valid for two years from the time of the test.
• PTE General: It should be mentioned that scores are valid for life. 

Availability and Test Booking

PTE Academic-

• Year-Round Availability: It is useful to note that PTE Academic is quite a versatile exam. The test dates can be scheduled for any time in the year at the Pearson testing centers accredited across the globe. This gives one a chance to select a date that is most convenient for him or her regarding his or her timetable and other transport means.
• Frequent Test Dates: In general, Pearson test centers provide PTE Academic at different time schedules in a month. This is quite helpful especially when planning to take your test to ensure that you don’t wait for long.
• Booking Convenience: You are also able to make the booking for the PTE Academic test through the Pearson website as it is very simple. This helps you to control your application and pick on the date and place of sitting for the test.

PTE General-

• Limited Testing Windows: It is important to note that, PTE General is conducted once in five months that is in May, June and December only. This is because the availability is limited and one has to plan for it in order not to miss the testing time for the application deadlines.
• Booking in Advance: This is because there are few test sessions for PTE General and therefore, it is advisable to book for the test early. If you have to write the test within a certain time then the seats might get booked up fast.
• Limited Booking Flexibility: Having fewer testing options means that you might get a date and time that are not ideal for you.

Choosing the Right PTE Test: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a simplified approach to help you choose between PTE General and PTE Academic:

1. Identify Your Goal: Are you aiming for university studies abroad? If so, PTE Academic is the clear choice. If your focus is on work, migration, or non-academic pursuits, PTE General might be suitable. 
2. Consider the Requirements: Check the specific English language proficiency requirements set by your target university or immigration authority. This will determine whether PTE Academic or PTE General is accepted. 
3. Evaluate Your Skills: Are you comfortable with a computer-based test format? PTE Academic is entirely computer-delivered. If you prefer a traditional paper-based test with a separate interview, PTE General might be more suitable. 

PTE Exam Preparation Tips: Success Strategies for Both Tests

Regardless of the PTE test you choose, these preparation tips can help you excel:

• Identify Your Goal: Are you planning to further your education in a university out of your country? So if yes, then PTE Academic is the one you should opt for. This is particularly useful if your interests lie in work, migration or any other non-academic activities.
• Consider the Requirements: It is recommended that you find out the particular IELTS score that your desired university or country’s immigration office requires. This will help to identify whether the university accepts PTE Academic or PTE General.
• Evaluate Your Skills: Do you have no problem sitting for a computer-generated test? PTE Academic is delivered on the computer only. For those who wish to take a paper-based test with an additional separate interview, then PTE General can be more appropriate.

PTE Exam Fee: General vs. Academic

The cost of taking the PTE exam can be a significant factor in your decision-making process. Here's a breakdown of the fees associated with both PTE General and PTE Academic:

PTE General Exam Fee

PTE General typically has a lower fee compared to PTE Academic. However, the exact cost can vary depending on your location. Here's a general range:

• Estimated Fee: $300 to $400 

Important Note: It's crucial to check the official PTE website for the most up-to-date fee information for PTE General in your specific region. The website allows you to search for test centres and view the corresponding fees. 

PTE Academic Exam Fee

The PTE Academic exam fee is generally higher than the PTE General fee. Similar to PTE General, the exact cost can vary by location. Here's an estimated range:

• Estimated Fee: $350 to $500

Understanding the Fee Structure:

The PTE exam fee typically covers the cost of the test itself, including the administration, scoring, and reporting of your results. It's important to note that additional fees might apply depending on your situation:

• Late Booking Fee: There may be a late booking fee if you register for the test close to the test date. 
• Rescore Fee: In some cases, you might be able to request a rescore of your test for an additional fee. However, this option is not always available.

Conclusion

The PTE exam whether general or academic has a lot to offer when it comes to academic or career opportunities. It is thus imperative to know the basic differences between the two tests in order to determine which one fits the intended purpose best. This handy guide has included the preparation tips and important information with regard to fees and results that you need for your preparation to take the PTE exam. Keep in mind that PTE test is not an exception and with persistence and proper planning you can definitely get the excellent score you have always wanted and open the doors to the English-speaking environment.