PTE exam books and preparation materials for Canada: PTE Core first
For PTE Core, the book is Pearson's Official Guide to PTE Core, an eBook with 20 videos and a bonus 300 practice questions for $19.99 USD. Pearson says not to use PTE Academic materials to prepare for PTE Core, because PTE Core is based on everyday English and PTE Academic on academic English. Free PTE Core practice is in Smart Prep.
Canadian test takers face a choice that other countries do not. Pearson says PTE Core is the one to choose for permanent residency and citizenship, and that you need PTE Academic if you apply to a Canadian university or college. Your institution decides which tests it accepts. The books and practice material are different for each. This page covers the PTE Core materials first, then PTE Academic, from Pearson's own pages, which we quote, and tips we have written ourselves. We do not rank products, and we have not tested them against your needs.
Use PTE Core material for PTE Core
Pearson says the two tests are not interchangeable.
"Anyone looking to apply to the IRCC for permanent residency or citizenship should choose PTE Core."
"PTE Academic is recognized by 100% of universities and colleges in Canada."
"If you plan to apply to a Canadian university or college, you'll need PTE Academic instead of PTE Core."
That split matters when you buy preparation. Pearson's PTE Core preparation page answers the question directly:
"No, the preparation materials for PTE Academic/PTE Academic UKVI are based on academic English content, whereas PTE Core is based on everyday English content."
Our reading: a book written for PTE Academic can still teach you the general skills of a computer-based speaking and writing test, but its topics and practice questions will be academic. If you are booked for PTE Core, buy the PTE Core versions. Our PTE Academic vs PTE Core page explains the choice, and English tests accepted by IRCC covers the immigration side. Nothing here is immigration advice.
The Official Guide to PTE Core, the main PTE exam book
An eBook, with videos and a question bank.
"You can purchase the Official Guide to PTE Core eBook through your myPTE account."
| Item | What Pearson says |
|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 USD |
| What it is | A comprehensive guide to every question in PTE Core |
| Format and videos | eBook format + 20 videos |
| Practice questions | A bonus 300 practice questions |
| Study plans | Study plans created by the makers of the test |
| Focus | Advice on how to build skills in English for every-day purposes |
| Access | After purchase, you will have access to the Official Guide to PTE Core for 24 months. |
We did not find a print version of the PTE Core guide on Pearson's pages. For the Academic guide, Pearson is clear that it is not sold in print. Other publishers may sell print books, but we have not reviewed them.
"No, the Official Guide to PTE Academic is currently available only as an eBook."
The Academic guide is a similar product at the same price. Pearson shows the same features for it:
"Selling price: $19.99 USD"
Pearson charges in US dollars, and your bank sets the exchange rate:
Other PTE Core preparation materials
Question bank, AI practice, a scored mock test and a course.
PTE Core Question Bank
"The PTE Core Question Bank is a self-study product designed to help you try task types from the test with new, authentic content."
"Access to the PTE Core Question bank expires six months after the access code is activated."
"The tasks in the bank are not currently scored. However, you can check if your answers are correct or incorrect and compare sample answers to your own responses to speaking and writing questions."
Official PTE Core AI Practice
"300+ PTE questions, 5 full-length mock tests, 4 sectional tests"
"Try official practice and AI feedback before you upgrade. No card needed."
Pearson's AI practice page lists a free tier with 2 diagnostic tests, then paid access at $29.99 USD for 7 days, $59.99 USD for 1 month or $89.99 USD for 3 months. It says this is a one-time payment, not a subscription. Check the page for today's prices.
PTE Core Scored Practice Test
"Take a 2-hour practice test that uses the same format and scoring engine"
Pearson lists it at 35.99 USD. Pearson says these practice tests are one-time use only, and that if you have submitted the Scored Practice Test you will not be eligible for a refund.
The PTE Core Preparation Course
"A 20-hour structured digital course for self-study PTE Core preparation which includes activities, strategies, and task-based practice."
Packages
Pearson sells these together at a discount. Its Silver package includes a Scored Practice Test, one month of Official PTE Core AI Practice and the Official Guide to PTE Core, and its Gold package adds the preparation course. Pearson lists Silver at 79.99 USD and Gold at 89.99 USD. Check the page for the current contents and prices.
Free PTE Core preparation
Smart Prep first.
"Smart Prep is our new preparation portal which includes free and paid preparation for PTE."
"In Smart Prep, you can also access free PTE Core preparation resources which include the PTE Core Score Guide, Test Tip documents, a Guided Practice Test and a video guide."
"For PTE Core, we have: A full Guided Practice Test Sectional Guided Practice Tests Video courses split by skill Test tip documents"
These two Pearson lists differ. The preparation page lists the PTE Core Score Guide and a video guide but no sectional tests or video courses, and the help article lists sectional Guided Practice Tests and video courses but not the Score Guide, so check what your own Smart Prep account shows.
The Official PTE Core AI Practice free tier, described above, adds diagnostic tests. Our PTE Core speaking practice page also has a short speaking set we wrote for PTE Core.
Courses and tutors for PTE Core
What the providers say about themselves.
E2Language is a separate online test preparation company, and we have no paid arrangement with it at the moment. It says:
"E2's PTE Core online course is available in a range of packages from self-study to teacher-led intensive packages."
We have not tested it. Read the package details and E2's terms on its own page before you buy. For tutors, one marketplace that lists PTE tutors is Preply:
Ask any tutor whether they teach PTE Core specifically, not only PTE Academic. Pearson says the two use different content, and a tutor who only knows academic topics will prepare you for the wrong kind of questions.
PTE Core tips that save marks
Rules first, then habits.
Know what you are preparing for
"A single, 2-hour test with results typically in 48 hours"
| Part | Time Pearson gives |
|---|---|
| Speaking and Writing | 50-65 minutes |
| Reading | Duration 27-37 minutes |
| Listening | Duration 22-37 minutes |
The three ranges add up to more than 2 hours at the top end. Pearson's PTE Core Score Guide explains why: each test version is balanced in overall length, no test taker gets the absolute minimum or maximum times, and no test exceeds a total of 2 hours.
The speaking and writing part uses 'English you might hear in an everyday environment', as Pearson puts it, so practise with everyday topics.
"You will be tested on your speaking and writing skills, using English you might hear in an everyday environment."
Learn the PTE Core word limits
PTE Core's writing tasks have different limits from PTE Academic's. Summarize Written Text is shorter:
"If you write fewer than 25 words or more than 50 words, your response will not be scored"
For Write Email, Pearson's own page gives two different ranges, so we show both:
| Where on Pearson's page | What it says |
|---|---|
| How to answer | For this question type, you need to write an email containing between 80 and 120 words in response to a prompt. |
| How it is scored | Form: Does your response meet the length requirement of between 50-120 words? |
| Time | You have 9 minutes to write the email. |
| Score guide: no score points | An email which is less than 30 words (Form) |
Our reading: aim for 80 to 120 words, which fits both ranges, and never go below the lower limit. Check Pearson's current page for the latest figures.
Do not memorise answers
Pearson's PTE Core score guide lists a memorised response among those that get no score points:
"An email that does not deal properly with the prompt due to significant amounts"
"of pre-prepared/memorized material (Content)"
Learn the microphone rules
- Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.
- You are only able to record your response once.
Plan test day
"You must arrive at least 30 minutes before your test and sign in at the test center reception. If you arrive late you will not be allowed to take the test and you will lose your test fee."
"Make sure you bring acceptable ID – this should be your passport. Without it, you can’t take your test."
For PTE Core, Pearson's identification policy says you must bring a passport, which it prefers and accepts anywhere, or a Canadian Permanent Resident Card, which it accepts in Canada only. The ID must be a valid document (not expired) and issued no more than 10 years ago, and the name, date of birth, citizenship and gender you use when you book the test must exactly match the details on it. If you cannot produce the required ID you will not be allowed into the test room and will lose your test fee.
For booking steps and prices, see our PTE Core exam dates and price page.
A two-week plan with the right materials
Our plan.
| Days | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 to 2 | Know the test | Read the PTE Core format and word limits. Take one free guided practice test or diagnostic. Note your three weakest tasks. |
| Days 3 to 7 | Fix the weak tasks | Work through those three tasks in the Official Guide or the question bank. Record speaking and time writing. |
| Days 8 to 10 | All four skills | Alternate speaking and writing with reading and listening. Practise everyday topics. |
| Days 11 to 13 | Timed sets | Use a mock test, one in full. Fix the two habits that cost you most. |
| Day 14 | Rest | Check ID and booking, then rest. |
Pearson says: “You can prepare for PTE Core by practicing test questions, becoming familiar with the test format, and improving your English skills.” Our plan does all three, in two weeks. If you have longer, spread it out and add more mock tests.
How to choose
| If you... | Look at |
|---|---|
| Need to learn the PTE Core format and tasks | The Official Guide to PTE Core, plus the free guided practice test |
| Want a steady course | The PTE Core Preparation Course, or a teacher-led online course |
| Want to know if you are ready | A Scored Practice Test close to your test date |
| Want daily practice with feedback | Official PTE Core AI Practice, starting with the free tier |
| Have a tight budget | Smart Prep's free resources and the free AI practice tier |
Prices change, so check each Pearson page before you pay. This page is not immigration advice, and Pearson's own pages decide the rules of the test.
Common questions
We do not rank books. Pearson's own is the Official Guide to PTE Core, an eBook with 20 videos and a bonus 300 practice questions for $19.99 USD on Pearson's page. Whatever you choose, make sure it is for PTE Core, because Pearson says PTE Core is based on everyday English content.
Pearson says no: the preparation materials for PTE Academic are based on academic English content, whereas PTE Core is based on everyday English content.
Pearson says the Official Guide to PTE Academic is currently available only as an eBook, and its PTE Core guide page also describes an eBook bought through myPTE. Other publishers may sell print books, but we have not reviewed them.
Yes. Pearson's PTE Core preparation page lists the PTE Core Score Guide, Test Tip documents, a Guided Practice Test and a video guide as free resources in Smart Prep, and says its PTE Core AI practice is free to start with no card needed. An older Pearson help article also lists sectional guided practice tests and video courses, so check your Smart Prep account.
Pearson's page gives two ranges: between 80 and 120 words in the answer instructions, and between 50-120 words in the scoring description. Its score guide lists an email of less than 30 words as getting no score points. Aim for 80 to 120.
Pearson describes PTE Core as a single, 2-hour test with results typically in 48 hours.
Pearson does not give a time for PTE Core on the pages we read. It says you can prepare by practicing test questions, becoming familiar with the test format, and improving your English skills. Our two-week plan on this page is a starting point.