CANADA · PTE CORE

PTE Core practice, CLB chart and Write Email

Prepare for PTE Core with a CLB chart and 30 original Write Email tasks. RealPTE currently offers focused Core tools rather than a complete Core mock test. Use the links below to check your four skill targets and try an email task.

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For PTE Core, RealPTE has 30 original Write Email tasks with AI scoring and a CLB calculator. It is not a full Core course or mock test.

Where is PTE Core accepted?

PTE Core tests everyday and workplace English. PTE Academic is designed for academic English; check the test required by your institution or application before booking.

Source: Pearson PTE Core uses. Checked 18 October 2026.

Express Entry

IRCC accepts PTE Core for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (first official language: CLB 7 in every skill), Canadian Experience Class (TEER 0/1: CLB 7; TEER 2/3: CLB 5 in every skill), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (CLB 5 listening/speaking, CLB 4 reading/writing). Language results must be less than two years old at profile submission and permanent residence application.

Source: IRCC Express Entry language tests. Checked 18 October 2026.

Other Canadian routes

IRCC’s introduction of Core covers Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program language guidance. A provincial stream may impose additional requirements; check the specific stream, rather than assuming every nomination route is identical.

Source: IRCC PTE Core operational update. Checked 18 October 2026.

PTE Core is also accepted for post-graduation work permit language evidence: university graduates generally need CLB 7 in each skill; college/non-university graduates generally need CLB 5. Language is only one eligibility requirement.

Source: IRCC PGWP eligibility. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: IRCC PGWP accepted language results. Checked 18 October 2026.

Pearson also lists Canadian citizenship as a Core use. Citizenship language evidence has its own requirements; it is not an Express Entry CLB target.

Source: Pearson PTE Core. Checked 18 October 2026.

Core vs Academic: format and scoring

Feature	PTE Core	PTE Academic
Context	Everyday and workplace English	Academic English
Scored task types	19	22 (updated August 2025)
Tasks per test	52–67	65–75
Speaking & Writing	50–65 minutes	76–84 minutes
Reading	27–37 minutes	23–30 minutes
Listening	22–37 minutes	31–39 minutes
Total duration	About 2 hours	About 2 hours
Scores	Overall and four skills: 10–90	Overall and four skills: 10–90

Part maxima do not add up to an actual test duration. Both tests include an unscored personal introduction (25 seconds to prepare, 30 seconds to record). The overall score is not the arithmetic average of the four skills. Pearson’s complete raw-point conversion and task weights are not public.

Source: Pearson Core format. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Academic format. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Core January 2026 Score Guide. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Academic Score Guide. Checked 18 October 2026.

Task-by-task differences

R = reading, L = listening, S = speaking, W = writing. Reading and objective listening tasks share a section timer; there is no universal official time allowance per item.

Task	Core: number and timing	Academic: number and timing	Scoring / difference
Read Aloud	6–7; ≤60 words; prepare 30–40 s; response varies	6–7; same preparation and length	Core R+S; Academic S
Repeat Sentence	10–12; audio 3–9 s	10–12; audio 3–9 s; answer 15 s	Content, pronunciation, fluency. Core website repeats a “40 seconds” prompt label; response cap not independently confirmed.
Describe Image	3–4; prepare 25 s, answer 40 s	5–6; prepare 25 s, answer 40 s	Core content 0–5; Academic 0–6; pronunciation and fluency
Respond to a Situation	2–4; prepare 20 s, answer 40 s	2–3; prepare 10 s, answer 40 s	Core appropriacy 0–3; Academic content 0–6; pronunciation and fluency
Answer Short Question	5–6; audio 3–9 s, answer 10 s	5–6; same timing	Core L+S; Academic L; correct/incorrect
Summarize Written Text	1–2; ≤200-word passage; 10 min; aim 25–50 words	2; ≤300-word passage; 10 min; 5–75 words in one sentence	Core content/form/grammar/vocabulary each 0–2; Academic content 0–4, form 0–1
Write Email	2–3; prompt ≤100 words; 9 min; aim 80–120 words	Not included	Seven traits; see the email practice guide below
Retell Lecture	Not included	2–3; prepare 10 s, answer 40 s	Academic only
Summarize Group Discussion	Not included	2–3; prepare 10 s, answer 2 min	Academic only
Write Essay	Not included	1; 20 min; 200–300 words	Academic only
Reading: dropdown blanks	5–6; text ≤200 words	5–6; text ≤200 words	Per correct blank; Core R+W, Academic R
Reading: multiple answers	1–2; text ≤275 words	2–3; text ≤350 words	Correct +1, wrong −1; floor 0
Reorder Paragraphs	2–3; text ≤110 words	2–3; text ≤110 words	Each correct adjacent pair earns a point
Reading: drag-and-drop blanks	4–5; text ≤80 words	4–5; text ≤80 words	One point per correct blank
Reading: single answer	1–2; text ≤110 words	2–3; text ≤110 words	Correct/incorrect
Summarize Spoken Text	1–2; audio 45–75 s; 8 min; aim 20–30 words	1; audio 60–90 s; 10 min; aim 50–70 words	Core content 0–2; Academic content 0–4; form, grammar, vocabulary, spelling
Listening: multiple answers	1–2; audio 50–90 s	2–3; audio 80–120 s	Correct +1, wrong −1; floor 0
Listening: type-in blanks	2–3; audio 30–60 s	2–3; audio 30–60 s	Per correctly spelt blank; Core L+W, Academic L
Listening: single answer	1–2; audio 30–60 s	2–3; audio 30–60 s	Correct/incorrect
Select Missing Word	1–2; audio 20–70 s	1–2; audio 20–70 s	Correct/incorrect
Highlight Incorrect Words	1–2; current web timing field ambiguous	2–3; audio 15–50 s	Correct +1, wrong −1; floor 0; L+R
Write from Dictation	3–4; audio 3–5 s	3–4; audio 3–5 s	Per correctly spelt word; L+W
Highlight Correct Summary	Not included	2–3; audio 30–90 s	Academic only; L+R

Source: Pearson Core speaking-writing task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Core reading task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Core listening task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Academic speaking-writing task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Academic reading task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Source: Pearson Academic listening task rules. Checked 18 October 2026.

Core Repeat Sentence and Highlight Incorrect Words have ambiguous fields on the current website. We do not present an unverified response limit as a confirmed rule. Core SWT, SST and Email need their own word-count and scoring rules; Academic practice scores are not Core scores.

Official PTE Core to CLB score chart

Use each skill score, never the overall score. This table does not apply to PTE Academic.

CLB	Listening	Reading	Speaking	Writing
10	89–90	88–90	89–90	90
9	82–88	78–87	84–88	88–89
8	71–81	69–77	76–83	79–87
7	60–70	60–68	68–75	69–78
6	50–59	51–59	59–67	60–68
5	39–49	42–50	51–58	51–59
4	28–38	33–41	42–50	41–50
3	18–27	24–32	34–41	32–40

Source: Pearson January 2026 Score Guide, p.9. Checked 18 October 2026.

Practise with RealPTE

Write Email: 30 original tasks

Shared task practice

These links open existing Academic practice pages for tasks with the same response rules and marking approach. Their material has not been individually certified as Core content; they are not a Core mock test. Core test-level weighting and question counts differ.

We do not link Core learners to Academic email substitutes, summaries with different word limits, or speaking tasks with different scoring rules.

Source: Pearson Core task criteria. Checked 18 October 2026.

What RealPTE offers for PTE Core

Feature	RealPTE now	Notes
CLB conversion	Available	The calculator applies Pearson’s published PTE Core to CLB chart to each skill.
Write Email practice	Available	30 original tasks with a 9-minute timer and AI practice feedback.
Shared task practice	Available	6 task types whose single-task rules match; the questions are Academic practice material.
Full PTE Core mock test	Not offered	RealPTE’s mock tests follow the PTE Academic format; they are not Core mocks.
Calibrated Core scores	Not offered	Email feedback is a practice estimate, not a Pearson Core score or a CLB result.

Questions students ask

Does RealPTE offer a full PTE Core mock test?

No. RealPTE offers a CLB calculator, original Write Email tasks and links to shared task practice, not a complete Core mock test. Pearson sells its own official PTE Core Scored Practice Test.

Can I convert PTE Academic to CLB using this chart?

No. The chart is for PTE Core scores only. For Canada, check which test IRCC accepts for your application.

Does meeting a CLB target guarantee Canadian PR?

No. Language results are only one requirement. Check IRCC’s current requirements for your program before applying.