What is PTE Core used for?

PTE Core is a general English test recognized by IRCC for Canadian economic immigration and citizenship. Its scores map to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) and are shared automatically with IRCC.

Is there a pass mark for PTE Core?

No. Each skill is scored from 10 to 90. The level you need depends on the CLB required by your immigration program; for example, CLB 7 needs Reading 60-68 and Listening 60-70.

Which item types does this practice bank cover?

This bank covers the selected-response Reading and Listening item types as single-best-answer questions. Speaking and the typed Writing and dictation tasks are not practised here because they cannot be scored as multiple choice.

How is PTE Core scored and how fast are results?

PTE Core is scored entirely by AI with no human examiner, which reduces bias. Results are typically available within 48 hours and scores are valid for two years from the test date.

Are these official Pearson PTE Core questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions modelled on PTE Core selected-response skills. Pearson provides official scored practice tests and a question bank separately.

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Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PTE Core Exam

3 sections

Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening, with 19 question types in total

Pearson PTE - PTE Core test format

About 2 hours

Total PTE Core test time across the three sections

Pearson PTE - PTE Core overview

10 to 90

PTE Core score range reported for each English skill

Pearson PTE - PTE Core scoring

CLB-aligned

PTE Core scores map to Canadian Language Benchmark levels for immigration

Pearson PTE - PTE Core scoring

Recognized by IRCC

Accepted for Canadian economic immigration and citizenship applications

IRCC - Language test results

About 48 hours

Typical time to receive PTE Core results after the test

Pearson PTE - PTE Core scoring

2 years

How long a PTE Core score stays valid for visa applications

Pearson PTE - PTE Core overview

100

Free original Reading and Listening practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

PTE Core is a roughly two-hour, computer-based, AI-scored general English test that IRCC recognizes for Canadian economic immigration and citizenship. It has three sections - Speaking & Writing (50-65 minutes), Reading (27-37 minutes) and Listening (22-37 minutes) - and 19 question types in total. Each skill is scored from 10 to 90, mapping to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels rather than a single pass mark; many candidates target CLB 5 to CLB 9. Results are usually available within 48 hours and scores stay valid for two years. This 100-question bank gives original single-best-answer practice modelled on the selected-response Reading and Listening item types at CLB 5-9 level.

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.

1Read the notice: 'The community centre pool will be closed for cleaning every Monday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. All other hours remain open as usual.' What is the main message of this notice?

A.The pool is closed all day on Mondays

B.The pool has a short closure on Monday mornings

C.The pool is open only on Mondays

D.The pool will close permanently

Explanation: The notice says the pool is closed 'every Monday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.' and that 'all other hours remain open', so the closure is only a short period on Monday mornings. Identifying the main idea means combining both sentences.

2Read: 'To return an item, bring your receipt to the customer service desk within 30 days of purchase. Items must be unused and in their original packaging.' According to the text, what is required for a return?

A.A photo of the item

B.The original receipt and unused item

C.A new packaging box

D.A manager's signature

Explanation: The text states you must 'bring your receipt' and that items 'must be unused and in their original packaging'. The receipt and an unused item are the stated requirements.

3Read: 'Although the bus was late, Priya still arrived at work on time because she had left home early.' Why did Priya arrive on time?

A.The bus was early

B.She left home early

C.Her manager waited for her

D.She took a taxi

Explanation: The sentence explains the cause directly: she arrived on time 'because she had left home early'. The late bus is a contrast, not the reason she was on time.

4Choose the word that best fills the blank: 'Please make sure you ______ the form completely before you submit it.'

A.fill out

B.fill up

C.fill in for

D.filling

Explanation: The natural collocation for completing a document is 'fill out the form'. PTE Core fill-in-the-blank items reward the most idiomatic and grammatically correct choice.

5Read: 'The new recycling program asks residents to separate paper, plastic and food waste into three different bins. Collection happens every Thursday.' How many bins must residents use?

A.One

B.Two

C.Three

D.Four

Explanation: The text lists 'paper, plastic and food waste into three different bins', so residents must use three bins. This is a direct detail question.

6Read: 'Maria has worked at the bakery for ten years. New staff often ask her for advice because she knows every recipe by heart.' What can you infer about Maria?

A.She is a new employee

B.She is experienced and respected

C.She dislikes her job

D.She owns the bakery

Explanation: Ten years of work and new staff asking her for advice suggest she is experienced and respected. The inference comes from combining her time there and others seeking her help.

7In the sentence 'The instructions were so vague that none of the volunteers knew what to do,' the word 'vague' most nearly means:

A.Clear

B.Unclear

C.Short

D.Loud

Explanation: The clue 'none of the volunteers knew what to do' shows the instructions were 'unclear'. Context clues point to confusion, the opposite of clear.

8Read this email: 'Hi team, the staff meeting has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. Please update your calendars. Thanks, Sam.' What change is Sam announcing?

A.The meeting is cancelled

B.The meeting day has changed

C.The meeting room has changed

D.The meeting is now optional

Explanation: Sam writes the meeting 'has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday', so the day has changed. The time is given but the key change is the day.

9Choose the word that best fills the blank: 'The library offers free workshops, ______ you must register in advance to get a seat.'

A.because

B.but

C.so

D.or

Explanation: The two clauses contrast a free offer with a condition, so the contrast linker 'but' fits best. Choosing the correct connector is a common PTE Core reading skill.

10Read: 'Our clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays and public holidays.' When is the clinic open the longest?

A.Saturday

B.Sunday

C.A weekday

D.A public holiday

Explanation: Weekdays run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (12 hours), Saturday runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (8 hours), and Sunday and holidays are closed. The longest open time is a weekday.

About the PTE Core Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for PTE Core - Pearson Test of English (Core) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.