PTE Academic 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students — Format, Scoring, Fee & Preparation

PTE Academic 2026 (Pearson Test of English Academic) is the #1 English proficiency test choice for Indian students targeting Australia immigration — and with good reason. PTE delivers results within 48 hours, uses AI scoring for consistency, is entirely computer-based, and sends unlimited score reports to institutions worldwide for free. Accepted by over 3,000 institutions including all Australian and New Zealand universities, UK SELT-approved centres, and a growing number of universities in the USA, Germany, and Ireland, PTE Academic is the test that Indian students — particularly in Gujarat — trust most for study abroad and immigration. At EEC, with 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed globally, our PTE specialists have coached thousands to achieve scores of 65, 79, and even 90 across all 26 Gujarat centres. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about PTE Academic in 2026.

What Is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based, AI-scored English proficiency test developed by Pearson, one of the world's largest education companies. Unlike IELTS, where a human examiner assesses your speaking, PTE uses artificial intelligence to score every response — from your spoken pronunciation to your written essays. The entire test is taken in a single session lasting approximately 2 hours at a Pearson VUE test centre, and scores are delivered within 1-5 business days (most students receive results within 48 hours).

PTE Academic measures four communicative skills — Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing — each scored from 10 to 90. It also assesses six enabling skills: Grammar, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Written Discourse. A unique feature of PTE is its cross-contribution scoring: a single item type (like Read Aloud) can contribute to multiple skill scores simultaneously (both Speaking and Reading), making strategic preparation critical.

PTE Academic Test Format 2026

PTE Academic consists of 3 parts with 20 item types across approximately 2 hours. There is an optional 10-minute break between Reading and Listening. Here is the complete section breakdown:

The Speaking & Writing section is the longest and most complex — you record your spoken responses into a microphone, and the AI evaluates pronunciation, oral fluency, and content. The Reading section is the shortest but demands fast decision-making, especially for Re-order Paragraphs. The Listening section ends with Write from Dictation — the single highest-scoring item type in the entire test, contributing to both Writing and Listening scores simultaneously.

PTE Scoring System

PTE Academic uses a 10-90 scoring scale for both overall and individual skills. The AI evaluates every response objectively, which means your score is consistent regardless of where or when you take the test. Here is how PTE scores map to proficiency levels:

A critical concept in PTE is cross-contribution scoring. Each item type contributes to multiple communicative skills. For example, Read Aloud contributes to both Speaking AND Reading scores. Write from Dictation contributes to both Writing AND Listening. This means that excelling at high-value cross-contributing items can boost multiple skill scores simultaneously. For a detailed score comparison, see our PTE score conversion mega-table.

PTE Academic Fee in India 2026

The PTE Academic fee in India depends on your booking window. Standard booking (14+ days before the test) costs approximately ₹17,640 (US$210), while late booking (1-14 days before) costs approximately ₹19,740 (US$235). Here is the complete cost breakdown:

A major advantage of PTE over IELTS: unlimited free score reports. You can send your PTE score to any number of universities and immigration bodies worldwide at no additional cost through your Pearson account. IELTS charges for additional score reports beyond the initial free ones. For a detailed cost analysis, see our PTE fee guide.

PTE Academic vs PTE Core — Which Do You Need?

This is the #1 confusion point for students. PTE Academic is for university admission and immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. PTE Core is specifically for Canada immigration (IRCC). They are different tests with different question types:

Countries That Accept PTE Academic

PTE Academic is accepted by 3,000+ institutions worldwide. The primary destinations for Indian PTE students are:

Australia (PRIMARY) — All universities, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for all skilled visa subclasses (189, 190, 491, 485, 482, 500). PTE is the #1 test choice for Australia PR applicants in India due to 48-hour results and AI scoring consistency.

New Zealand — All universities, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for Skilled Migrant Category and student visas. PTE 58+ for Skilled Migrant; 42-57 for student visas depending on programme.

United Kingdom — PTE Academic is SELT-approved for Student Route, Skilled Worker, Spouse, and ILR visas. Must be taken at an approved SELT centre.

Growing Acceptance — USA (2,000+ universities), Germany (English-taught programmes), Ireland (Trinity, UCD, Galway), Singapore (NUS, NTU), UAE, and more. For details, see our PTE for other countries guide.

PTE Score Requirements by Country

For 80%+ of EEC PTE students, Australia is the target destination. The critical scores to remember: PTE 65 = Competent (0 bonus points, but mandatory minimum), PTE 79 = Proficient (10 bonus points — decisive for EOI ranking), PTE 90 = Superior (20 bonus points — game changer). Read our flagship PTE for Australia PR guide for the complete immigration pathway.

PTE vs IELTS: Quick Comparison

Many Indian students find PTE easier because: Speaking is recorded on a microphone (no human examiner anxiety), Writing is typed (faster for most students), and AI scoring is consistent. However, IELTS offers the One Skill Retake advantage and has wider global acceptance. For the complete analysis, read our PTE vs IELTS detailed comparison.

“I was stuck at IELTS 6.0 for three attempts. EEC suggested I try PTE instead. I scored PTE 72 on my first attempt — the AI scoring and typed writing made all the difference. Six months later I had my Australia 190 visa.”

— Keyur P., PTE 72, Australia Subclass 190

How to Register for PTE Academic

Registration for PTE Academic is done through the Pearson website (pearsonpte.com). Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Create a Pearson account at pearsonpte.com with your passport details. Your name must match your passport exactly.

Step 2: Choose "PTE Academic" (not PTE Core, unless targeting Canada IRCC).

Step 3: Select your preferred test centre and date. Book 14+ days ahead for the standard rate (~₹17,640).

Step 4: Pay online via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Payment is processed in USD.

Step 5: Receive confirmation email. One free scored practice test is included with every registration.

PTE Test Centres in India

India has 50+ Pearson VUE test centres across major cities. Key cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Surat, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and more. In Gujarat, test centres are available in Ahmedabad and other cities. You can view all available centres and dates on the Pearson website during registration.

Test centres operate on weekdays and weekends. Each centre has individual cubicles with computers, keyboards, mice, and noise-reducing headsets with microphones. You will complete all three sections at the same computer in a single session. For exam day preparation tips, read our PTE exam day guide.

PTE Academic Preparation Tips

Effective PTE preparation revolves around understanding cross-contribution scoring and focusing on high-value item types. The items that contribute to multiple skills give you the most score improvement per hour of practice:

1. Write from Dictation (Writing + Listening) — The single highest-scoring item. Perfect WFD can boost your overall score by 10-15 points. Practice 20 sentences daily with perfect spelling. See our WFD practice guide.

2. Read Aloud (Speaking + Reading) — Practice chunking sentences, stress patterns, and clear pronunciation. 30 minutes daily. See our speaking tips guide.

3. Repeat Sentence (Speaking + Listening) — Focus on content words and start speaking within 1-2 seconds of the audio ending.

4. Describe Image (Speaking) — Use templates for every image type. Practice with 10-15 random images daily. See our Describe Image templates guide.

5. Essay (Writing) — Master a 4-paragraph template: Introduction → Body 1 → Body 2 → Conclusion. Aim for 250-280 words with zero spelling errors. See our essay tips guide.

For a complete preparation roadmap, see our PTE preparation tips for 79+ and PTE study plans (2-week, 1-month, and 2-month options).

EEC PTE Coaching: ₹7,500 — Classroom, Online Live, or Recorded

EEC offers comprehensive PTE Academic coaching at ₹7,500 across all 26 centres in Gujarat — the most affordable PTE coaching in India. With 27+ years of experience and an IELTS Band 9 / PTE 90 scoring trainer heading the programme, EEC provides:

Three Modes: Classroom coaching (small batches, morning/afternoon/evening), Online Live classes (interactive, same quality), and Pre-Recorded courses (self-paced, lifetime access). All three modes are priced at ₹7,500 with no hidden costs.

What's Included: Complete coverage of all 20 item types, Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture templates, Write from Dictation sentence bank (500+ most-repeated sentences), AI-scored mock tests, essay templates for all common topics, speaking recording with trainer pronunciation feedback, collocation lists for Fill in the Blanks, and unlimited WhatsApp support.

FREE Study Abroad Counselling: Every PTE student at EEC receives complimentary study abroad counselling — including Australia PR guidance, university shortlisting, skills assessment support, EOI filing, visa application, and pre-departure orientation. PTE coaching and study abroad counselling happen under one roof at every EEC branch.

Visit your nearest EEC centre for a free demo class (8 AM - 9 PM), or explore our city-specific coaching pages: Ahmedabad (8 centres), Surat (5 centres), Vadodara (4 centres), or online from anywhere in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most commonly asked questions about PTE Academic, with expert answers from EEC's PTE specialists: