100+ Free PTE Core Practice Questions
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PTE Core Listening – Highlight Incorrect Words. The AUDIO says: "Please remember to bring your own lunch on the day of the trip." The TRANSCRIPT reads: "Please remember to bring your own launch on the day of the trip." Which word in the transcript is incorrect?
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Key Facts: PTE Core Exam
PTE Core is Pearson's 2-hour, AI-scored general English test, approved by IRCC for Canadian PR and citizenship; each skill is scored 10-90 and mapped to the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Sample PTE Core Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your PTE Core exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "The new community recycling program has been a clear success. In its first three months, residents diverted more than 40 tonnes of plastic and glass from the landfill. The council credits the simple weekly collection schedule and the free sorting bins it delivered to every household for the high participation rate." According to the passage, what does the council mainly credit for the program's success?
2PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Working from home suits many employees, but managers warn that it can blur the line between work and personal life. Without a clear end to the day, some people keep checking messages late into the evening. Experts recommend setting fixed start and finish times and switching off notifications outside those hours." What is the main concern raised about working from home?
3PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Although the museum is free to enter, special exhibitions require a separate ticket. Members, however, are admitted to these exhibitions at no extra charge and may also book guided tours one week before they open to the general public." Which statement is true according to the passage?
4PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Many people assume that drinking coffee dehydrates the body. Recent studies suggest, however, that the water in a normal cup of coffee more than makes up for the mild effect of the caffeine. For most healthy adults, moderate coffee consumption counts towards daily fluid intake rather than against it." What can we infer from the passage?
5PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "The bus company has introduced a contactless payment system on all routes. Passengers simply tap their card on the reader when they board. The change has cut boarding times because drivers no longer need to handle cash or give change, and queues at busy stops have grown noticeably shorter." Why have boarding times been reduced?
6PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Volunteering does more than help the community. Studies show that people who give their time regularly report lower levels of stress and a stronger sense of purpose. For older adults in particular, regular volunteering is linked to better mental health and a wider social network." What is the passage mainly about?
7PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "The store's return policy is straightforward. Customers may return unworn items with a receipt within 30 days for a full refund. After 30 days, but within 60, only store credit is offered. Sale items, however, are final and cannot be returned under any circumstances." A customer wants to return a sale item after 20 days with a receipt. What can they expect?
8PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Switching off lights and appliances at the wall can make a real difference to a household's energy bill. Many devices draw power even when they appear to be off, a phenomenon known as standby consumption. Over a year, this hidden use can add up to a noticeable amount on the electricity bill." What does 'standby consumption' refer to in the passage?
9PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "The library has extended its opening hours during exam season. From Monday to Friday it now closes at midnight instead of nine, and it opens on Sundays for the first time. Staff say the change responds directly to requests from students who needed a quiet place to study in the evenings." Why did the library extend its hours?
10PTE Core Reading – Multiple Choice, Single Answer. Read the passage, then choose the one best answer. "Remote teams often struggle to feel connected. One manager solved this by starting each weekly meeting with five minutes of casual conversation before any business is discussed. She reports that this small change has improved trust and made colleagues more willing to ask one another for help." What was the result of the manager's approach?
About the PTE Core Exam
PTE Core (Pearson Test of English Core) is a computer-based general English test launched by Pearson in 2023 and approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency and citizenship applications. It assesses everyday and workplace English across four skills in a single sitting of about two hours, with results typically available within 48 hours. Scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing each range from 10 to 90 and map directly to the Canadian Language Benchmarks used in Express Entry and other immigration streams. Responses are scored by Pearson's AI engine with human oversight. This practice bank focuses on the multiple-choice-testable Reading and Listening question types, including Multiple Choice (single and multiple answers), Reorder Paragraphs, Fill in the Blanks, Select Missing Word, Highlight Correct Summary and Highlight Incorrect Words. PTE Core is taken at secure test centers in over 115 countries.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
About 2 hours in a single sitting; the Reading part runs 27-37 minutes and the Listening part 22-37 minutes.
Passing Score
Each skill is reported 10-90 and mapped to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB 4-12). There is no universal pass mark; IRCC programs set the minimum CLB level required.
Exam Fee
Approximately CAD 340 in Canada (2026); fees vary by country and test center, so confirm the current price on Pearson's official fee checker. (Pearson (delivered through Pearson VUE test centers))
PTE Core Exam Content Outline
Reading: Multiple Choice (Single & Multiple Answers)
Read short everyday texts and choose the correct answer(s) about main idea, detail, inference, purpose and tone.
Reading: Reorder Paragraphs
Arrange jumbled sentences into a logical order using reference words, connectors and chronology.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks
Select words to complete gapped texts, testing vocabulary, collocation and grammatical accuracy in context.
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
Choose words that fit both reading comprehension and grammar in a passage, an integrated reading-writing task.
Listening: Multiple Choice (Single & Multiple Answers)
Listen to short recordings and select the correct answer(s) about facts, reasons, opinions and main points.
Listening: Select Missing Word
Predict the most appropriate word or phrase to complete a recording that ends with a beep.
Listening: Highlight Correct Summary
Choose the written summary that best and most accurately captures a spoken recording.
Listening: Highlight Incorrect Words & Fill in the Blanks
Spot transcript words that differ from the audio and type missing words while listening for detail.
How to Pass the PTE Core Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Each skill is reported 10-90 and mapped to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB 4-12). There is no universal pass mark; IRCC programs set the minimum CLB level required.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: About 2 hours in a single sitting; the Reading part runs 27-37 minutes and the Listening part 22-37 minutes.
- Exam fee: Approximately CAD 340 in Canada (2026); fees vary by country and test center, so confirm the current price on Pearson's official fee checker.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PTE Core Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PTE Core and who is it for?
PTE Core is Pearson's computer-based general English test, approved by IRCC for Canadian permanent residency and citizenship. It assesses everyday and workplace English rather than academic English and is taken by people pursuing Canadian immigration.
How is PTE Core scored?
Each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) is scored from 10 to 90 by Pearson's AI engine with human oversight. The scores map directly to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) that IRCC uses.
Is PTE Core or PTE Academic accepted for Canadian immigration?
IRCC accepts PTE Core for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs and citizenship. PTE Academic is not accepted for these immigration purposes, though universities may require PTE Academic for admission.
How long is the PTE Core test and how fast are results?
The test takes about two hours in a single sitting, with no scheduled breaks. Results are typically available within 48 hours, and scores are valid for two years.
What question types are in the PTE Core Reading and Listening sections?
Reading has five task types and Listening has seven, including Multiple Choice, Reorder Paragraphs, Fill in the Blanks, Select Missing Word, Highlight Correct Summary and Highlight Incorrect Words. This bank focuses on the multiple-choice-testable ones.
How much does PTE Core cost in 2026?
In Canada the fee is around CAD 340, but the exact amount depends on your country and test center. Always confirm the current price using Pearson's official fee checker before booking your test.