PTE Academic is increasingly being taken by applicants who want to study overseas or migrate to Australia and New Zealand. There are over 50 test venues in India, and a candidate may take their exam at any of these approved test centres. So, what if someone wishes to take the exam at home?
The PTE Academic Online allows you to take the PTE test from the comfort of your own home, office, or any other quiet private space, as long as certain prerequisites are met. The PTE Academic Online has the same content, scoring, and format as the PTE Academic in person at test centres.
Let us look into some relevant details of the PTE Academic Online examination
Who can opt for the PTE Academic Online test at home?
Any student who wishes to study abroad can choose this mode of the PTE examination. A huge number of reputed institutions worldwide accept the PTE Home test and new institutions are added to the list every month. However, it is essential to check with the university you plan to enrol on whether they accept PTE Home test scores as valid. Note that the PTE Home test is currently not accepted for immigration and visa processing purposes so choose this mode only if you plan to study abroad.
Additionally, the PTE Home would be a great alternative if you are facing any of the following obstacles:
- PTE test centres near your location are closed.
- PTE test centres are not available in the location that you reside.
- Inability to travel to a PTE test centre.
- You are in need of some additional requirements for which a home based test would be apt ( like mobility restriction or visual impairment )
Which countries accept the PTE Academic Online?
A huge number of institutions around the world accept online home-based PTE. Let us look into a list of universities in different countries that accept the PTE Academic Online.
| Country | University/College |
|---|---|
| Australia | 1. Australian Institute of Business Intelligence 2. Australian Institute of Higher Education 3. Australian School of Accounting Pty Ltd 4. Crown Institute of Higher 5. Education Kenvale College 6. Kingsford Institute of Australia 7. Macquarie University UAC 8. University of New England 9. University of Western Sydney 10. Charles Darwin University 11. American College Brisbane 12. Bond University UQ College 13. Australian Institute of Language 14. Australian Learning, Training & Education Centre (ALTEC) 15. Australia Melbourne Polytechnic 16. RMIT University 17. Adelaide Institute of Higher Education Quality Training &Hospitality College South 18. Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT) 19. AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION PTY LTD 20. Perth Bible College (PBC) 21. Polytechnic West (formerly Swan TAFE) 22. Riverside City College |
| New Zealand | 1. Alpha Educational Institute Aotearoa Career and Management Institute (ACMI) 2. Laidlaw College 3. Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand 4. Northland Polytechnic Skill New Zealand 5. Southern Institute of Technology 6. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology 7. University of Canterbury 8. Vision College |
| Canada | 1. NorQuest College 2. Olds College 3. Emily Carr University of Art & Design 4. SELC College 5. Trinity Western University 6. University of Victoria 7. Brock University Humber College 8. Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) 9. Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) 10. Ryerson University 11. Sault College 12. Trent University 13. New Brunswick College of Craft and Design 14. Service Régional d’Admission du Montréal Métropolitain 15. Brock University 16. Saskatoon Business College 17. Dorset College |
| United Kingdom | 1. Amity University in London 2. Arden University Birmingham 3.City University Distance Learning Centre 4. Durham University Leeds Trinity 5. University National Film and Television School 6. National Mathematics and Physics SCITT National 7. Mathematics and Physics SCITT (NMAP SCITT) Northumbria 8. University Pearson College 9. London Roehampton University 10. St Mary’s University College, London 11. The University of Roehampton 12. The University of Winchester 13. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology 14. University College London 15. University of Bath University of bristol 16. University of Manchester 17. University of Sussex 18. University of Ulster 19. University of Westminster 20. University of York |
| United States Of America | 1. Arkansas Tech University 2. Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas 3. Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas 4. University of Arkansas at Fort 5. Smith University of Arkansas at Little Rock 6. University of Arkansas at Monticello 7. University of Arkansas at Pine 8. Bluff University of Arkansas 9. Community College at Batesville 10. University of Arkansas 11. Community College at Hope-Texarkana 12. University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton 13. University of Arkansas Community College at Rich Mountain 14. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 15. University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College 16. University of Arkansas System eVersity 17. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 18. Hawthorn University 19. Humboldt State University 20. Loyola Marymount University 21. San Jose State University 22. University of California 23. Berkeley University of Southern California 24. Bridgewater state university 25. Clark University Massachusetts 26. College of Art and Design 27. Merrimack College Nicholas College ONCAMPUS 28. Boston Tufts University 29. American National University 30. Bluegrass Community and Technical College Midway University 31. Transylvania University 32. ASA College Baruch 33. Zicklin school of Business 34. Clarkson University Columbia 35. CUNY Baruch College CUNY Borough of Manhattan 36. Community College CUNY 37. Bronx Community College |
| Malaysia | 1. Asia e University 2. Universiti Putra Malaysia- Malaysia Universiti Sains Malaysia 3. YES International College |
| Bahrain | Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF) – |
| Spain | 1. Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia 2. University of Cadiz 3. Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) |
| France | Grenoble Graduate School of Business |
| Turkey | 1. Harran University 2. Izmir University of Economics- 3. Ozyegin University- |
| Denmark | IBA International Business Academy – |
| Singapore | INSEAD (Fontainebleau & Singapore)-Singapore Management University |
| Japan | 1. Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) 2. Nagoya University of Commerce & Business |
| Thailand | 1. Petchkasem College of Management Technology 2. Mahidol University International College |
| Norway | The Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service |
| Belgium | Ghent University |
If you wish to gain any further information regarding PTE Academic online visit PTE Academic Online
.
What are the benefits of taking PTE Academic Online?
There are various advantages to taking the PTE at home, the most important of which is that it eliminates the tension or pressure associated with taking an exam at a test centre since you can complete the PTE Online within the comfort of your own home. Other advantages include:
- It is exactly the same as the PTE Academic test taken at a test centre, therefore no additional preparations are necessary.
- Identical in duration to the test centre test (two hours)
- Setting up yourself for the exam is a real easy task as you have to download the software required for it, sign in and you are ready to take your test.
- The test is secure and fair as there would be identity checks, locked browsers and live proctors monitoring you throughout the examination.
- The scoring for the PTE Home is exactly as the PTE Academic and you can receive your result within just 48 hours of taking the test.
What equipment is required at home to take the PTE Online?
You have to reserve a quiet private place where you will be undisturbed for the two hour duration of the examination. As handwritten notes are not allowed for the Online test, there will be a “notes” feature that will appear on every screen of the test. Once you’ve chosen on a location where you’ll feel at ease taking the exam, make sure you have the following items:
- A Windows or Mac desktop or laptop computer.
- A Webcam
- A reliable and stable internet connection ( better to have a power backup)
- A wired headset with an overhead band and microphone.
- A laptop charger.
- A mobile phone for checking in for the test.
- NO wireless headset, earbuds and earphones with in-line microphones are allowed.
Are any comfort aids allowed during exam time?
All home-based test takers are allowed to keep some comfort aids during the exam for personal or emergency needs. These aids include:
- Tissue
- Cough syrup ( must be unwrapped)
- Pillow for supported neck, back or injured limbs.
- Eyeglasses and hearing aids
- Insulin pump attached to a person’s body
- Any life saving medication that is critical to the health condition of the test taker.
How can I maximise my speaking score when I take the Home based PTE?
To earn a better score on your speaking tasks when taking the exam at home, it is best to consider the following factors:
- Close all doors and windows so that no outdoor interferences will affect you during the exam.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 3 to 5 centimetres between your mouth and the microphone to ensure clear speaking and avoid the bass effect. When speaking, avoid touching the microphone since this can cause audio distortion.
- It is preferable to select a room with soft furnishings to avoid an echo effect.
- Remember to click on Next as soon as you finish an answer even if there is time remaining, as your answer will be saved.
- Adjust your speaking volume to a reasonable level; don’t be overly loud or too quiet.
- Adjust your speaking pace such that it is understandable, not too fast or too sluggish.
What are some of the rules to keep in mind while attending the PTE Academic Online?
To avoid being disqualified from the examination, make sure you follow the following rules and regulations:
- No other people are allowed in the room where you attend the exam.
- No books or papers are allowed within arm’s reach.
- Do not leave the webcam view at any time.
- Handwritten notes are not allowed during the exam.
- No eating or drinking ( except water/juice) allowed.
- Candidates are strictly prohibited from wearing watches.
What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy of the PTE Academic Online?
You have the option to cancel or reschedule your examination at any time. However, it is best to do it at the earliest to avoid huge cancellation fees. If you cancel your test before 14 calendar days from your test date, then you will receive a full refund of the exam fee.If you cancel between 13 and 8 calendar days before your test date, then you are eligible for a 50% fee refund. However, no fee refund will be provided if you cancel 7 or less calendar days from your test date.
The rules for rescheduling are the same as well. You can reschedule for free if you apply before 14 calendar days. If you reschedule between 13 and 8 days before the exam date, you must pay 50% of the original test fee. If you reschedule within 7 calendar days before the exam date, you will not receive a refund and must pay the full test fee. However, there are a few exceptions in the case of family or medical emergencies. To avail of this, you have to download and fill out the “ Request emergency reschedule form” within 14 full calendar days of the scheduled date of the test and attach your evidence.
Conclusion
The PTE Academic Online is a revolutionary initiative that was developed during the pandemic to help students achieve their ambitions of studying and living abroad by cracking this examination. If you are confident about the exam pattern and tactics, it makes little difference whether you take the exam at a test center or in the comfort of your own home. However, it is critical to determine whether the home-based test is accepted by the college or university to which you are applying.