PTE Academic 2026: Booking, Cost, Exam Structure & Test Centres (Complete Guide)

Quick answer: PTE Academic is booked through Pearson VUE at pearsonpte.com. The 2026 fee ranges from USD $200 (most countries) up to AUD $410 in Australia. The exam is 2 hours long with 3 sections (Speaking & Writing combined, Reading, Listening) covering 20 task types, all computer-scored with results in 48 hours. Test centres exist in 200+ cities including Melbourne, Sydney, Seoul, Tokyo, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Manila, and most major capitals. You can reschedule up to 14 days before your test. Free AI prep is available at English AIdol.

By Alfie Lim, TESOL-certified founder of English AIdol. Last reviewed 29 April 2026.

How to book PTE Academic — step-by-step (2026)

1. Create a Pearson account at pearsonpte.com. You will need a valid passport (or government-issued photo ID accepted in your country). The name on your booking must match your ID exactly — even a single misspelled letter blocks entry on test day.
2. Log in to "My Account" (the "PTE login" page) and select "Schedule a Test."
3. Choose PTE Academic (or PTE Academic Online if you prefer the at-home version). PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Core are different tests with different fees.
4. Pick your country and city. Test centres are listed by Pearson VUE. Use the search field to find slots within 50km of your location.
5. Pick a date and time. Most cities have multiple slots per week including weekends. Slots tend to fill 3-4 weeks in advance — book early.
6. Pay the fee. Credit card, debit card, or country-specific methods (e.g. UPI in India, Alipay in China, KakaoPay in Korea).
7. Receive confirmation email with venue address, arrival instructions, and ID requirements.

PTE Academic cost in 2026 (by country)

Pearson sets PTE Academic fees by country. Here are the most-searched markets:

• United States: USD $200
• Australia: AUD $410 (highest globally)
• United Kingdom: GBP £203
• India: INR ₹17,000 (~USD $204)
• South Korea: KRW ₩280,000 (~USD $208)
• Japan: JPY ¥31,500 (~USD $210)
• China: CNY ¥1,825 (~USD $254)
• Vietnam: VND 5,400,000 (~USD $215)
• Philippines: PHP ₱11,950 (~USD $213)
• Indonesia: IDR 3,300,000 (~USD $208)
• Thailand: THB 7,300 (~USD $215)
• Singapore: SGD $360 (~USD $268)
• UAE: AED 800 (~USD $218)
• Mexico: MXN 4,200 (~USD $212)
• Brazil: BRL R$1,200 (~USD $218)

Late booking fee (within 48 hours of test): additional ~25% on top of base fee. PTE Academic Online (at-home version) costs the same as in-centre.

PTE Academic exam structure 2026 — the 20 task types

PTE Academic is exactly 2 hours, with one optional 10-minute break between Reading and Listening. Three timed sections:

Section 1: Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes)

Order varies between exam forms but always includes:

• Personal Introduction — 1 minute, NOT scored. Used as a recording sample.
• Read Aloud — 6-7 items. Read a 60-word text aloud. Tests fluency and pronunciation.
• Repeat Sentence — 10-12 items. Listen to a sentence and repeat exactly. Tests listening + pronunciation.
• Describe Image — 3-4 items. 25 seconds to study an image, 40 seconds to describe.
• Re-tell Lecture — 1-2 items. Listen to a 60-90 second lecture, then summarise in 40 seconds.
• Answer Short Question — 5-6 items. Hear a question, answer in one or a few words.
• Summarize Written Text — 1-2 items. Read a 300-word passage, write ONE sentence (5-75 words) summary.
• Write Essay — 1-2 items. 200-300 word argumentative essay in 20 minutes.

Section 2: Reading (29-30 minutes)

• Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks — drop-down word selection
• Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers — text-based
• Re-order Paragraphs — drag to put paragraphs in logical order
• Reading: Fill in the Blanks — drag-and-drop words
• Multiple Choice, Single Answer — text-based

Section 3: Listening (30-43 minutes)

• Summarize Spoken Text — 50-70 word summary of a 60-90 second audio
• Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers — audio-based
• Fill in the Blanks — type the missing word as you listen
• Highlight Correct Summary — choose the best summary from 4 options
• Multiple Choice, Single Answer — audio-based
• Select Missing Word — predict the final word of an audio clip
• Highlight Incorrect Words — click words spoken differently from the transcript
• Write from Dictation — type a sentence after hearing it once

Where to take PTE Academic — major test centres in 2026

Australia (highest demand globally)

• Melbourne: Pearson VUE Melbourne CBD (Collins Street), Box Hill, Footscray. Slots most weekdays + weekends.
• Sydney: Town Hall, Parramatta, Hurstville. Multiple weekly slots.
• Brisbane: Brisbane CBD and Sunnybank.
• Perth: Perth CBD.
• Adelaide: Adelaide CBD.

South Korea

• Seoul: Gangnam (Yeoksam), Jongno. Daily weekday slots; Saturday slots usually available.
• Busan: Seomyeon area.

Japan

• Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro. Daily weekday slots.
• Osaka: Umeda area.
• Yokohama, Nagoya, Fukuoka: 1-2 centres each.

Vietnam

• Hanoi: Pearson VUE authorised centres in Cau Giay and Ba Dinh districts.
• Ho Chi Minh City: District 1, District 3, and Phu Nhuan centres.
• Da Nang: Hai Chau district.

China

• Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi'an all have Pearson VUE centres. Note: PTE Academic UKVI requirements differ for mainland Chinese candidates — check the latest UK Visas & Immigration approved test list.

Other major markets

• India: 50+ centres including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad.
• Philippines: Manila (Makati, BGC, Quezon City), Cebu, Davao.
• Indonesia: Jakarta (multiple), Surabaya, Bali, Medan.
• UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.
• Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar.
• USA & Canada: Major cities — many test centres, slots usually open within 1-2 weeks.

Always confirm the latest list directly at pearsonpte.com — Pearson opens new centres regularly.

Rescheduling and cancellation

• 14+ days before test: Free reschedule or cancellation with full refund.
• 7-13 days before: Reschedule allowed for ~50% of the original fee. Cancellation refunds 50%.
• Less than 7 days: No refund. Reschedule costs the full fee.
• Less than 24 hours / no-show: Full fee forfeit. You must rebook from scratch.

What to bring on test day

• Valid passport (mandatory for most candidates) — or country-specific accepted ID
• Booking confirmation email
• Arrive 30 minutes early
• Do NOT bring: phones, watches, bags, food, water (lockers provided). Pearson is strict — no exceptions.

How to prepare for free

Pearson's own preparation materials are paid. The most comprehensive free AI-powered alternative for 2026 is English AIdol's PTE portal — full coverage of all 20 task types, AI scoring on Speaking and Writing calibrated to the Pearson algorithm, 20+ full mock tests within ±3 PTE points of real exam scores, and a 20+ language interface (Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Arabic, etc.).

Read our companion guides:

• Best AI Platform for PTE Academic 2026
• How to Score 79+ on PTE Academic
• How to Use AI for PTE Academic

Frequently asked questions

How much does the PTE Academic exam cost in 2026?

Between USD $200-270 in most countries, with Australia the most expensive at AUD $410 (~USD $268). Indian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino fees are around USD $200-220 equivalent. Late booking adds ~25%.

How do I book a PTE test slot in Melbourne / Sydney / Seoul / Tokyo?

Through your Pearson VUE account — log in, click "Schedule a Test," choose your city, and pick from the available dates. Major Australian cities and Asian capitals usually have multiple slots per week including weekends.

Can I reschedule my PTE Academic exam?

Yes. Free reschedule if more than 14 days before your test. Half-fee reschedule between 7-13 days. Full fee if less than 7 days. Same rules as Pearson VUE general policy.

What is PTE Academic Online and how is it different?

PTE Academic Online is the at-home version — same scoring, same task types, same fee, but you take it on your own computer with online proctoring. Useful when test centres are full. Note: PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted for Australian skilled migration visas — for those you must take in-centre PTE Academic.

What is the PTE Academic exam structure in 2026?

2 hours total: Speaking & Writing (54-67 min, 8 task types), Reading (29-30 min, 5 task types), Listening (30-43 min, 8 task types). 20 task types in total. Results in 48 hours.

Where do I find official PTE practice tests?

Pearson sells official Practice Test Plus packs (paid). For free practice that mirrors Pearson scoring, use English AIdol's PTE portal — 20+ full mocks free with daily AI grading limits.

Is PTE Academic accepted for Australian PR?

Yes. Most Australian skilled migration visas (subclasses 189, 190, 491, 482) accept PTE Academic. Score requirements: PTE 50 = "Competent English," PTE 65 = "Proficient English" (10 points), PTE 79 = "Superior English" (20 points). PTE Academic Online is NOT accepted — must be in-centre.

Can I reschedule from PTE Academic to PTE Academic UKVI?

No — they are different tests with different fees. You must cancel one and book the other separately.

What ID do I need to take PTE in Korea / Japan / Vietnam?

Passport is required for all foreign-nationality candidates and is recommended for all. Korean and Japanese candidates may use national ID + passport. Vietnamese candidates: passport mandatory.

Where to go next

1. Visit pearsonpte.com to create an account and check available slots.
2. Take a free diagnostic mock at englishaidol.com/portal/pte — see your starting score before booking.
3. Read the best AI PTE platform 2026 comparison.
4. Build a 4-6 week prep plan using the 79+ strategy guide.
5. Book your real exam when you score 80+ on two consecutive mocks.

If this guide helped, share it with a friend studying for PTE — sharing keeps the platform free. — Alfie Lim, founder, English AIdol