Pearson's price finder listed PTE Core at CAD 360 in Canada when we checked on 7 October 2026 (whether tax is included isn't stated); prices differ by country, and the price shown at booking is the one you pay. Pearson doesn't publish a fixed fee list. Its PTE Core page says "The fees for PTE Core vary depending on the country" and points you to the price finder on its test centres and fees page.
Below are the listed prices for ten countries, the costs that can come on top of the fee, and how to avoid paying for the same test twice. If you're still deciding whether PTE Core is the right test, start with what PTE Core is and who it's for.
How much is the PTE Core exam in Canada?
In Canada, the PTE Core fee on Pearson's price finder was CAD 360 on 7 October 2026. The listing doesn't say whether GST/HST is included, so check the total on the payment screen before you confirm.
That fee is for the test IRCC lists on its Express Entry language testing page, which says "You must take the PTE Core option." PTE Core is also on IRCC's accepted tests for citizenship and on the post-graduation work permit document list.
How much does the PTE Core test cost in other countries?
These are Pearson's price finder listings for PTE Core, as listed on 7 October 2026. Prices can change, and the price finder doesn't say whether tax is included.
| Country | PTE Core fee (as listed on 7 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Canada | CAD 360 |
| India | INR 18,900 |
| Nigeria | USD 165 |
| Philippines | USD 240 |
| UAE | AED 1,520 |
| Pakistan | USD 240 |
| Nepal | USD 248.60 |
| United States | USD 275 |
| United Kingdom | GBP 230 |
| Australia | AUD 499 |
Nigeria, the Philippines, Pakistan and Nepal all showed prices in US dollars, so check the currency on the booking screen as well as the amount. Each figure is the listing for that country, so look up the country where you'll sit the test, use the table to budget, and confirm the amount when you book.
How much is the PTE Core exam in Nigeria?
The price finder listed PTE Core at USD 165 in Nigeria on 7 October 2026. Pearson's fees page points Nigerian test takers to official PTE voucher resellers ("Find official PTE voucher resellers in Nigeria"); China is handled the same way.
We didn't check reseller prices. If you use a reseller, choose one listed on Pearson's fees page and confirm the amount with them before you pay.
Is PTE Academic cheaper than PTE Core?
No. In every country we checked, PTE Academic cost the same as PTE Core, so choose by what you need the score for.
Pearson's own FAQ puts it this way: "PTE Academic is used for university admissions (including in Canada), and migration visas to Australia and New Zealand. PTE Core is used just for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship visas." PTE Academic is not one of IRCC's accepted tests for Express Entry, citizenship or PGWP. Australia goes the other way: Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic, and PTE Core isn't on its list.
Booking the wrong one means paying the full fee again. The PTE Core vs PTE Academic guide covers the differences in detail.
PTE Core fee compared with CELPIP
If you're applying in Canada, CELPIP-General is one of the other English tests on IRCC's Express Entry list. CELPIP's own pages give several figures, around CAD $280 to $299 plus tax for CELPIP-General, and the price at registration is final. PTE Core's Canadian listing was CAD 360, with tax status not stated.
Format, length and scoring differ too, and our PTE Core vs CELPIP vs IELTS comparison goes through them side by side.
Costs beyond the PTE Core fee
A few situations can cost you part or all of the fee. These rules come from Pearson's cancellations and rescheduling policy, last updated 17 September 2026, and its identification policy.
Rescheduling
You can "reschedule your test for free if there are more than 14 full calendar days left", and the "maximum number of times you can reschedule … is 6".
Inside that window the rule is strict: "If your test is in 14 days or less, you cannot reschedule … You must cancel your test and book a new appointment." In practice that means the cancellation refund rules below apply to your old booking, and you pay for the new one.
Cancelling and refunds
| When you cancel (policy page) | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 14 full calendar days before the test | Full refund |
| Between 14 and 7 full calendar days before | 50% refund |
| 7 calendar days or less before | No refund |
The FAQ on Pearson's PTE Core page words the middle band differently: "14 or more days before the test: cancel for free; Between 13 and 8 days: … 50% refund; Fewer than 7 days: you do not receive a refund." We've followed the dated policy page. Check the policy when you book, and if you're near a cut-off, cancel early.
Emergencies
The policy page also mentions an emergency reschedule form, which "must be submitted no later than 72 hours after your test appointment". Check the policy page for what counts as an emergency and what you need to send.
Arriving without valid ID
Pearson's identification policy says that without valid ID "you will lose your test fee".
For a step-by-step walk-through of booking, moving and cancelling in myPTE, see how to book and reschedule PTE Core.
Paying for PTE Core: cards and booking timing
According to Pearson's guide to booking a PTE exam, you "select a date and time at least 24 hours in advance", "create a myPTE account" and pay online. Accepted cards are listed as "American Express, Discover, Mastercard or Visa". Pearson's help centre adds that it "must receive full payment in the specified currency".
PTE Core "can be taken by anyone aged 16 or over", and you manage the booking afterwards in myPTE.
How to avoid paying for PTE Core twice
Extra spending usually means a second booking after a late cancellation, a lost fee at the test centre, or a retake. These steps cut the risk.
- Book with a buffer. Pick a date that leaves more than 14 full calendar days before the test in case you need to move it, since that's the only window for free rescheduling. Also leave time after the test: Pearson says most test takers get results "within two business days", and some take "up to five business days". If you're working to an application deadline, leave room for a retake as well.
- Bring the right ID. For PTE Core you must bring a "Passport (accepted anywhere and preferred)" or a "Canadian Permanent Resident Card (accepted in Canada only)". The document must be "issued no more than 10 years ago", and "Digital IDs, digital copies … are not accepted". Check yours against the identification policy well before test day.
- Book PTE Core for Canada. It costs the same as PTE Academic in the countries we checked, so it's easy to pick the wrong one. Of the two Pearson tests, only PTE Core is on IRCC's lists.
- Time the test against the 2-year rule. For Express Entry, IRCC says your results "must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence". Testing too early can mean paying again later. Citizenship is more relaxed: IRCC asks you to "include a copy of your test results (even if they're expired)".
- Know your target before you sit the test. IRCC converts each skill score to a CLB level separately, so one weak skill can leave you short of a minimum such as CLB 7 in all four abilities for Federal Skilled Workers. Our PTE Core score chart and CLB levels shows the score you need for each level. Pearson also says PTE Academic preparation materials don't suit PTE Core, so practise with Core-style tasks. PrepAmigo's PTE Core mock tests let you try a full run under timed conditions before you pay for the real thing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is PTE Core in Canada?
Pearson's price finder listed PTE Core at CAD 360 in Canada when we checked on 7 October 2026. It doesn't say whether tax is included, and the price shown when you book is the one you pay.
How much does the PTE Core test cost in India?
The price finder listed PTE Core at INR 18,900 in India on 7 October 2026. Prices can change, so confirm the amount on the booking screen.
How much is PTE Core in Nigeria?
The price finder listed USD 165 for Nigeria on 7 October 2026. Pearson's fees page points Nigerian test takers to official PTE voucher resellers, and China is handled the same way. If you use a reseller, choose one listed on Pearson's fees page and confirm the price with them.
Is the PTE Core fee refundable?
Partly, depending on timing. Pearson's policy page gives a full refund if you cancel more than 14 full calendar days before the test, 50% between 14 and 7 full calendar days, and nothing at 7 calendar days or less. The PTE Core FAQ words the middle band as 13 to 8 days, so check the policy when you book.
Can I reschedule PTE Core for free?
Yes, if more than 14 full calendar days remain before your test, up to 6 times. With 14 days or less to go you can't reschedule; you have to cancel and book a new appointment.
Is PTE Academic cheaper than PTE Core?
No. In every country we checked, PTE Academic cost the same as PTE Core. PTE Academic is not one of IRCC's accepted tests for Express Entry, citizenship or PGWP, so for Canada book PTE Core.
What happens if I arrive without valid ID?
Pearson's identification policy says you will lose your test fee. For PTE Core, bring a passport, or a Canadian Permanent Resident Card if you test in Canada, issued no more than 10 years ago. Digital IDs and digital copies are not accepted.
Related guides
Sources and further reading
- Pearson: PTE Core, fees vary by country, price finder, FAQ cancellation wording, PTE Core vs PTE Academic, results timing.
- Pearson: Test centers and fees, price finder and voucher resellers for Nigeria.
- Pearson: Cancellations and rescheduling policy, reschedule limits, refund bands, emergency form.
- Pearson: Identification policy, accepted ID for PTE Core and loss of the fee without valid ID.
- Pearson: How to book your PTE exam, 24-hour booking lead time and accepted cards.
- Pearson help centre: PTE Core FAQs, payment currency, minimum age and preparation materials.
- IRCC: Express Entry language testing, PTE Core as an accepted test, the FSW CLB 7 minimum and the 2-year validity rule.
- IRCC help centre: accepted language tests, tests accepted for citizenship.
- IRCC: Citizenship language proof, step 2, expired results accepted for citizenship.
- IRCC: PGWP documents, PTE Core on the PGWP test list.
- Home Affairs: English language requirements, PTE Academic accepted for Australia, PTE Core not listed.
- CELPIP-General, CELPIP-General fee in Canada.