1- Do candidates need specific training for these examinations?

2- Is sitting for all levels compulsory?

3- Is there compulsory bibliography for these examinations?

4- How do these examinations compare with other international examinations in the market?

5- What marks can candidates get?

6- Where can we get past papers?

7- What ages are the PTE designed for?

8- When can candidates take the PTE?

1- Do candidates need specific training for these examinations?
No, they don't. As this is an attainment test, candidates don't need special coaching for the different levels. Practice using past papers will show candidates if they have reached the required level for a Pass. In this way, the teaching-learning process is not interrupted with long boring, training sessions.

2- Is sitting for all levels compulsory?
No, candidates can enter at whichever level they are ready for.

3- Is there compulsory bibliography for these examinations?
No, there is a list of suggested books which can be used at different levels. Teachers can choose the most convenient materials to suit their teaching situation as long as the material is communicative and it covers the items in the syllabi.

4- How do these examinations compare with other international examinations in the market?
The aim of the PTE is to allow candidates to show how fluent they are when they use the language in situations. The exercises in the written paper are scenario-based and grammar is evaluated incidentally. These tests are positively marked in the sense that candidates are rewarded for their achievement in the language rather than penalised for their inaccuracy.

5- What marks can candidates get?
The results are reported as FAIL, PASS, PASS with MERIT and PASS WITH DISTINCTION.

6- Where can we get past papers?
Our office in Buenos Aires can provide you with past papers, cassettes, the assessment criteria and the test materials for the oral component.

7-What ages are PTE designed for?
Levels 1, 2 and 3 are suitable for adult and teenage learners, aged 14 upwards.
Level 4 is a recognised pre-entry qualification for most UK universities and is therefore designed for young people aged 17+. Similarly level 5 is accepted by many universities, as a pre-entry requirements for post-graduate study.
Children aged between 7 and 13 may prefer to sit the examinations from the suite of PTE Young Learners before progressing onto the PTE General at Level 1 or 2. At this level of proficiency the scenario and tasks require a higher level of maturity.

8- When can candidates take PTE?
There are three sessions: June, November and December.