PTE Core price and exam dates in Canada
PTE Core costs CAD 360 on Pearson's price list, Pearson does not say whether tax is included, and the test is one two-hour computer sitting. Open dates are live on Pearson's booking page, so no page can list them. You book at least 24 hours ahead and up to 6 months ahead, and results usually arrive in 2 business days.
What PTE Core costs
Pearson's own price list for Canada, read on the day we checked.
| Extra charge | What Pearson says |
|---|---|
| Rescore | The fee for requesting a rescore is $160 USD. To request a rescore, please phone the Customer Support team within 14 calendar days of your score being made available to you. |
| Technical review | The fee for the technical review service is $50 USD, which must be paid before the service commences. Requests for a technical review must be made within 15 business days of your receiving your test results. |
| Cancel inside 14 days | 50% back from 14 to 7 full calendar days out, nothing at 7 days or fewer. The table below has the whole schedule. |
How the price compares
| Test for Canada | Fee | Results |
|---|---|---|
| PTE Core | CAD 360 | Usually 2 business days |
| CELPIP General | CAD 299 plus taxes (Paragon's pages also show $290) | 2 to 4 business days |
| IELTS General Training | CAD 361 plus tax, by centre | See IDP Canada |
The CELPIP cost page goes through its fees in full.
Exam dates and how to book
Seats change by the minute, so the honest answer is a method, not a list.
ID for PTE Core in Canada
Pearson's rule is shaped by the Canadian government.
- Pearson: “In order to meet the requirements of the Canadian Government, you must bring one of the following documents to take PTE Core:” Passport (accepted anywhere and preferred), or a Canadian Permanent Resident Card (accepted in Canada only).
- The ID must be a valid document (not expired) and issued no more than 10 years ago.
- The name, date of birth, citizenship and gender you use when you book the test must exactly match the details on your ID.
- If you cannot produce the required ID when you arrive at the test center, you will not be allowed into the test room and will lose your test fee.
Rescheduling and cancelling
Pearson's PTE cancellations and rescheduling policy. Days are calendar days.
| Days left before your test | Reschedule | Cancel |
|---|---|---|
| More than 14 | Free | Full refund |
| 14 down to more than 7 | Not possible: cancel and rebook | 50% refund |
| 7 or fewer | Not possible: cancel and rebook | No refund |
Pearson's pages word exactly 14 days differently. Its refund policy settles the tiers: more than 14 days is 100%, 14 days down to more than 7 is 50%, 7 days or fewer is nothing. Treat day 14 as the 50% tier and move earlier if you can.
What the test is like
PTE Core is a 2‑hour, computer‑based test that assesses general English skills. It has three parts: around 50 minutes for speaking and writing, around 30 for reading and around 30 for listening.
Pearson's PTE Core format page says around 50, 30 and 30 minutes for the three parts; its PTE Core page lists 50-65 minutes, 27-37 minutes and 22-37 minutes. The PTE Academic format page shows the study test's question types. PTE Core has 19 question types, Pearson says.
Results, validity and sending to IRCC
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long do results take? | Most test takers get their PTE Core results within two business days after taking the test. In some cases, results may take up to five business days, depending on processing times. |
| How do I send them to IRCC? | Receive your results usually in just 2 days and share your score with IRCC using your Score Report Code or by sending it directly from your myPTE account. |
| How long is the score valid? | A PTE Core score is valid for two years from the test date. After this period, the score expires and can no longer be used for visa applications. |
| How old can a result be for Express Entry? | Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence. |
Common questions
CAD 360 for PTE Core and CAD 360 for PTE Academic on Pearson's price list. Pearson does not say whether tax is included, so check the total at checkout.
On Pearson's booking page: choose PTE Core (or PTE Academic if you are applying to study), enter your city and pick from the open slots. Slots open at least 24 hours out.
PTE Core. PTE Core is accepted for all economic immigration programs requiring an IRCC‑approved English test.
Not for Express Entry: IRCC says you must take the PTE Core option. Pearson says: Plan to study in Canada? If you plan to apply to a Canadian university or college, you'll need PTE Academic instead of PTE Core.
A PTE Core score is valid for two years from the test date. After this period, the score expires and can no longer be used for visa applications. IRCC adds its own limit for Express Entry: Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence.
Most test takers get their PTE Core results within two business days after taking the test. In some cases, results may take up to five business days, depending on processing times.
In order to meet the requirements of the Canadian Government, you must bring one of the following documents to take PTE Core: A passport is accepted anywhere and preferred, and a Canadian Permanent Resident Card is accepted in Canada only.
Yes. Per Pearson's refund policy, more than 14 days out you get a full refund, 14 days down to more than 7 days you get 50% back, and at 7 days or fewer you get nothing.
Pearson says: “Receive your results usually in just 2 days and share your score with IRCC using your Score Report Code or by sending it directly from your myPTE account.” Its PTE Core page also lists: “Scores shared automatically with the IRCC” For Canadian applications Pearson also says: “If you take PTE Core for a Canadian visa application, you will be asked for a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level for one or more of your language skills.” See the PTE Core score chart for the CLB levels and language test score for Express Entry for what each program asks for.
Pearson's PTE Core help page says: “Most test takers get their score within 2 business days, but it can take up to 5 business days.” Its PTE Core scoring page says: “Results typically in 48 hours” and its FAQ says: “Most test takers get their PTE Core results within two business days after taking the test. In some cases, results may take up to five business days, depending on processing times.” The results section of this page has the rest of the timeline.