Confirm Express, not Academic
Ask admissions whether PTE Express scores count for your programme. Pearson's acceptance tool is a starting point. Always check with the school. Do not assume Academic acceptance covers Express.
PTE Express at-home guide
PTE Express is Pearson's roughly 60-minute English test taken at home for US university and college study applications. You get 12 Express task types in one sitting, dual-camera security, and scores on a 10-90 scale. It is not PTE Academic, and Pearson does not market it for visas.
~60 minOne sitting · 12 Express task types
$70 USDFlat price per paid attempt
10-90Overall and four skill scores
48 hoursCertified result typically ready within
Checklist0%
Before you buy the test
Pay only after you confirm the school wants PTE Express specifically. A general "we accept PTE" note often means PTE Academic at a centre, not Express at home.
Built for US study applications
Pearson markets Express for US university and college study. It is not positioned for visas, and it is not PTE Core (the Canada immigration pathway product).
Use the school's cut score
Each school sets its own bar. Pearson publishes illustrative bands such as degree prep 36-50, undergraduate 51-60, and postgraduate 57-67. Your school's rule wins.
Know the $70 path
Create an account, pay $70 USD, then take the test without scheduling in Pearson's secure desktop app. Country availability varies, and a purchased test expires after 90 days.
An Express score is not interchangeable with a PTE Academic score, even though both use a 10-90 family of scales.
Test format: 12 Express task types
One sitting of about 60 minutes. Twelve task types cover listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with item limits from 15 seconds to 9 minutes. Practice samples below are original format drills, not Pearson items.
Audio-led tasks 1-6
Primary skills vary by task · AI-powered scoring
TimePart of the ~60 min sitting
Items6 task types
PaceItem-specific time limits in the secure app
Hear each sentence and repeat it exactly as spoken. You have 15 seconds for each answer; no text is read aloud from the screen.
The real test is audio only. Press start to hear the sentence, then repeat it exactly. You will not see the words on screen.
Prep 00:00
Hear three short word groups in random order, rearrange them into one complete sentence, and say it aloud.
The real test plays three short word groups. You will not see them written. Rearrange them into one sentence and say it.
Prep 00:00
In 2 minutes, listen to an academic- or workplace-context passage and answer two multiple-choice comprehension questions.
Practice · 2 minutes · listen to a passage · two multiple-choice questions
Audio
Campus announcement
Q1What is the main purpose of the announcement?
Q2Where should students print after three on Friday?
Hear an opinion question once, then speak a detailed answer with clear organisation, grammar, and vocabulary.
The real test plays the question once. You will not see it on screen. Speak a detailed answer with clear reasons.
Prep 00:00
Hear a sentence once and type it word-for-word. Official format: free typing (not multiple choice).
Audio
Dictation sentence
Play the audio once, then type the sentence word-for-word. Official format: 25 seconds to type. Not multiple choice.
Type what you hear:
Hear a short three-speaker discussion, then use 90 seconds to summarize its main points and important details aloud in your own words.
The real test plays a three-person discussion. You will not see a script. After it ends, summarise the main points in your own words.
Prep 00:00
Best practices
- Practice with built-in speakers and mic. Headphones are banned on test day (Handbook).
- For Repeat, speak every word in order. Do not paraphrase.
- Learn these Express types. Do not train on Academic Read Aloud or Retell Lecture packs.
At-home setup and test rules
You take PTE Express at home in Pearson's secure desktop app. You need two cameras: the computer camera plus a mobile phone as the second camera.
Technical requirements
ComputerA Windows or Mac computer with integrated webcam, microphone, keyboard, and speakers that passes Pearson's pre-test checks.
Second cameraA fully charged mobile phone for ID verification and continuous environment monitoring.Position it so the test screen, keyboard area, and your hands stay visible in its recording. Pearson specifies a phone, not a tablet.
Secure appDownload Pearson's PTE Express desktop application and finish the pre-test system checks on the same device.
InternetStable connection for the full sitting. Run the official checks before you start.
Single displayOne display, keyboard, mouse, speaker, microphone, and the two required cameras only. Disconnect extra peripherals and disable Bluetooth.
Audio ruleNo headphones or earphones. Use the computer's built-in speakers and microphone.
Photo IDAn original government photo ID: passport, driver's licence, national/state/provincial ID, or alien registration/PR/visa card.It must be undamaged, valid for at least three months, and show your name in Latin characters (or a Latin equivalent). Your profile name must match.
Current system requirementsRun the secure app's pre-test equipment and network checks on the exact computer you will use.Pearson publishes the operative minimum specifications inside pre-test setup rather than as fixed handbook versions.
Official launch flow
1
Create your Pearson Express account
Register at pteexpress.pearson.com. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID.
2
Buy the test
Pay the $70 USD fee only when you can use the test within its 90-day validity window.
3
Install the secure desktop app
Download the official application and complete every system check on the exam computer.
4
Set up dual cameras
Keep your face clear in the computer camera and position the phone to capture the screen, keyboard area, and your hands.
5
Clear the room
Use a quiet, bright, private room with a clear desk, no other people, no prohibited devices, and no glass walls that permit outside communication.
6
Finish in one sitting
Allow about 10 minutes for setup plus 60 minutes for testing. The test cannot be paused, and an exited session cannot be resumed.
Room and conduct rules
Stay in the camera windowStay visible to both cameras. Keep your face, eyes, mouth, and ears clear in the webcam and your screen, keyboard, and hands visible to the phone.
No headphonesWired or wireless earphones are not allowed. Built-in speakers only.
No notes or other appsNo notes, screenshots, tab switching, spellcheck, autocomplete, captions, translation, AI tools, or conferencing software. Do not leave the test app.
No other peopleNo one else may enter the room, and you must not talk to anyone until the session is fully complete.
Food and waterDo not eat during the test. Water is allowed only in a clear container.
AI plus human securityAI flags suspicious behaviour for trained reviewers before certification. Malpractice decisions can involve human review.
Uncertified scores stay privateYou may see an uncertified score quickly. Do not send it to a school until the result is certified.
Rule or ID failures can prevent certification and forfeit the $70 fee. Start only after both cameras, the room, your physical ID, and every prohibited-device check are ready.
Scoring and CEFR bands
PTE Express reports an overall score and four skill scores on a 10-90 scale. AI scores the language responses; human reviewers make final malpractice decisions. Pearson says the uncertified score is normally visible in about 15 minutes and the certified result typically follows within 48 hours after security review. Certification can take longer when more ID validation is needed. Certified results are valid for two years.
Move the slider to see the CEFR band from Pearson's PTE Express Score Guide. School cut scores still override these labels.
B1+51-58Overlaps Pearson UG illustrative 51-60
| PTE Express | CEFR | Typical use note |
|---|---|---|
| 85-90 | C2 | Highest band on the Express scale |
| 76-84 | C1 | Advanced academic English |
| 67-75 | B2+ | Strong upper-intermediate |
| 59-66 | B2 | Often near postgraduate illustrative bands |
| 51-58 | B1+ | Overlaps Pearson UG illustrative 51-60 |
| 43-50 | B1 | Solid intermediate range |
| 36-42 | A2+ | Overlaps degree-prep illustrative 36-50 |
| 30-35 | A2 | Elementary emerging |
| 22-29 | A1 | Beginner emerging |
| 10-21 | Below A1 | Lowest reported band |
Results, sharing, and retakes
Plan application deadlines around the certified score. Schools should not receive the fast uncertified preview.
Uncertified scorePearson's Express site says you often see this within about 15 minutes after you finish.Terms say you must not share an uncertified score with an institution.
Certified scoreTypically within 48 hours after security review; extra identity validation can take longer.
ValidityCertified results remain valid for two years from the test date.
Score sharingShare the certificate plus speech and writing samples free through Pearson's secure flow after certification.
Paid retakeBuy another $70 test only after the current score is certified. You may take at most three purchased tests in any rolling 30-day period.Purchased tests expire 90 days after purchase. Pearson-issued retakes do not count toward the three-test cap.
Pearson-issued retakePearson may issue a free retake for verified technical issues, some minor rule breaches, or exceptional emergencies after review.An issued retake appears in the dashboard and must be used within 21 days.
AppealsAn eligible malpractice appeal must be filed through the Help Center within 72 hours. It checks procedure, not the language score.Appeal is unavailable when Pearson offered a free test; Pearson says decisions arrive within five business days and are final.
Final checklist
Complete these checks on the computer, phone, and network you will use for the real exam.
Before purchase
Technical rehearsal
Immediately before starting
Start only when acceptance, equipment, and room checks are done. A clean launch beats a rushed $70 attempt.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE Express the same as PTE Academic?
No. Express is a separate ~60-minute at-home product with 12 Express task types for US study admissions. Academic is a longer centre-based test with different item types and broader use cases, including many visa pathways.
How long is PTE Express?
About 60 minutes in one sitting, plus roughly 10 minutes for setup. The 12 task types use their own limits, from 15 seconds for short responses to 9 minutes for the email.
How many question types does PTE Express have?
Twelve official task types, from Repeat the sentence through the speech and writing samples. Pearson does not publish a fixed total item count for the whole test.
Can I take PTE Express at home?
Yes. It is designed for home delivery through a secure desktop app with dual-camera monitoring. You need a computer camera plus a mobile phone as the second camera.
Are headphones allowed?
No. Headphones and earphones are banned. Use the computer's built-in speakers and microphone, and disconnect any extra display before you start.
How is PTE Express scored?
Overall and four skills on a 10-90 scale with AI-powered scoring. An uncertified score is normally visible in about 15 minutes. Certification typically follows within 48 hours, but extra ID validation can take longer.
Who accepts PTE Express?
Pearson markets it for US universities and colleges that accept Express. Confirm with your school. Do not assume Academic acceptance covers Express.
How much does PTE Express cost?
Seventy US dollars per purchased attempt. You can take the next test only after your current score is certified, with a maximum of three purchased tests in any rolling 30 days.
How old must I be to use PTE Express?
Account registration starts at age 13, subject to any higher digital-consent age where you live. If you cannot legally consent yourself, a parent or guardian must approve the account through Pearson's platform before you can buy or take the test.
Does Express include Read Aloud or Retell Lecture?
No. Those are PTE Academic tasks. Express uses its own set, including Build a sentence, Reply to an online post, Write an email, and Summarize a group discussion.
When should I share my score with a school?
Only after certification. Terms say you must not send an uncertified preview score to an institution. Certified results remain valid for two years.
Official sources
Official PTE Express pages on pteexpress.pearson.com.
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Need a PTE Express score for a US school that accepts it? Contact us with your target score and deadline.
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