PTE Home A1, A2, B1 Tests: Everything You Need to Know

If you want to live, work, or settle in the UK, you have to have English certification to prove your language knowledge. PTE Home tests (A1, A2, and B1) are official tests in English for people to get a UK visa and immigration.

In this blog, we will give you all the information you need to know about PTE Home tests. This includes test level, format, question types, scoring, preparation, and some stuff you can do on the test day.

What are PTE Home A1, A2, B1 Tests: Key Takeaways

• PTE Home tests (A1, A2, B1) are SELT-Approved and assess speaking and listening for the purposes of immigration and visa to the UK.
• Scores are sent out in 48 hours, valid for two years, and can be retaken with payment in full.
• Success comes from using official practice materials and following strict test day rules, including bringing valid ID.

Related:

PTE Academic UKVI: What Is It? What Are the Benefits?

Introduction to PTE Home A1, A2, B1 Tests

What are PTE Home A1, A2, B1 Tests?

When you apply to live in the UK or get UK visas, you are required to prove your English language skill by providing proof of language proficiency. Pearson’s Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) that have been created to meet English language requirements for immigration are the PTE Home tests.

Unlike other English tests, the PTE Home tests only assess your speaking and listening skills, which are required by the Home Office for most family, settlement, and citizenship routes.

There are three levels in PTE Home: A1, A2, and B1. Each level maps to specific levels in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and each maps to specific grounds on which a visa or immigration shall be accepted. Test takers must select the appropriate level based on their visa or immigration needs.

Which PTE Home Test Level Is Required for Each Visa?

PTE Home A1

It’s the lowest level that’s only suitable for those who need to show minimal ability to speak and listen. It’s fine for first applications like the spouse/partner visa, dependent parent, or representative of a foreign company (or overseas business).

PTE Home A2

This level is appropriate for those who want to increase the validity period of the visa (e.g., family visa). This level exhibits mildly advanced spoken English competence compared to A1.

PTE Home B1

This is the highest level of the PTE Home tests. It is used for more advanced immigration applications like settling down (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or getting citizenship, and is specifically required for citizenship applications and UK citizenship.

Structure and Components of PTE Home A1, A2, and B1 Tests

Test Duration 

Each of PTE Home tests A1, A2, and B1 was kept short and snappy. They contain only speaking and listening modules that have no relation to visa and immigration applications.

• PTE Home A1: about 22 minutes
• PTE Home A2: approximately 25 minutes
• PTE Home B1 takes around 29 minutes.

You will take each test in a single sitting at an approved UKVI SELT center. You will sit the test on a computer with headset and microphone. The test is entirely on the computer and is recorded for safe checking.

Components

These PTE Home tests only assess the Listening and Speaking skills with short real-life tasks to highlight everyday communication. In some listening tasks, you may be required to answer questions with a single word or a short phrase, focusing on identifying specific keywords during the exercise.

Types of Questions in Each PTE Home Test Level

PTE Home A1

The PTE Home A1 assessment tests how you communicate in spoken and heard English in everyday life. It consists of:

• Repeat Sentence: Repeat a very short sentence that you hear precisely.
• Describe Image: View an ordinary photograph and describe what you see in a couple of sentences.
• Conversation: Listen and Answer: Hear short speeches or questions and make rapid, oral answers.

PTE Home A2

The A2 test examines your capability to communicate in slightly longer sentences and to respond to familiar issues. It comprises:

• Repeat Sentence: Repeating short sentences. Make them slightly more complex.
• Describe Image: Use a wider range of vocabulary to explain images
• Retell Story: Hear a short story and retell it in your own words.

PTE Home B1

B1 test measures intermediate level of English proficiency to settle or to acquire citizenship. It consists of:

• Repeat Sentence: Rephrase longer or more descriptive sentences appropriately.
• Describe Image: Describe photographs with concise organization and simple vocabulary.
• Retell Story: Hear a short story and retell it with key points.
• Story: Listen and Answer: Hear a story and respond to verbally prompted questions about what it’s about.

Each level assigns you real-life communication tasks to see how you communicate and respond in English, instead of trying learned grammar and vocabulary.

Scoring, Results, and Validity

Pass/Fail System and Result Timeline

All PTE Home tests A1, A2, and B1 pass or fail tests only (no number score); you have to achieve the required level of English for the visa category you apply for to pass.

Scores are usually available within two business days after the day test. Therefore, PTE Home Tests have become one of the quickest SELT choices to have been accredited by the UK Home Office. You do not need to worry about delays or unfair scoring, as the process is efficient and transparent.

Score Report Details

Your score report includes:

• Your test level (A1, A2, or B1)
• Your result (overall score and communicative skills)
• Date and test centre
• Your own SELT URN (Unique Reference Number) – needed for UK visa applications

You will have results through your Pearson account and they can also be transmitted to the UK Home Office.

Validity of Scores

PTE Home test results are valid up to two years from the test date. For some types of visas such as settlement or citizenship, however, the Home Office may accept a previous result if the applicant has kept continuous residence in the UK since taking the earlier test.

To ensure that everything goes smoothly, it’s advisable to take the test close to your date of visa application to make sure the result acceptable.

Practice Materials and Test Preparation for PTE Home A1, A2, B1 Tests

Official Handbook

Pearson has a formal handbook that provides details of the test format, task types, rules, and scoring system. This handbook is valuable in understanding what you have to do on test day and preparing to ensure that your practice aligns perfectly with the real test.

It usually gives some example tasks, testing conditions (e.g., equipment, length, and behavior), and useful instructions on how to excel speaking and listening tasks.

Online Courses and Tutorials

Discover a range of online courses and tutorials designed to help you succeed in your PTE preparation.

To help you prepare, Pearson offers several available online courses and tools:

• Smart Prep is a free website where you can access practice tests in listening and speaking simulating the real test.
• Video tutorials demonstrate on all of the question types, strategies, and pitfalls.
• Webinars and workshops are live or pre-recorded sessions where experts demonstrate procedures, give tips, and respond to queries from candidates.

These materials enable you to familiarize yourself with the test structure, build confidence, and practice under circumstances.

Practice Materials and Tips

These are some good practicing materials and tips to get you ready:

• Create a quiet testing environment to simulate actual exam conditions while watching your time clock because this practice helps you enhance their time control and maintain focus.
• Practice sample speaking and listening exercises from official materials by repeating sentences and describing pictures and summarizing short recordings. 
• Record your spoken answers during speaking tasks because this enables you to evaluate your pronunciation and fluency and clarity.
• Establish a regular listening schedule which should include podcasts and short dialogues and announcements.
• Follow the shadowing method which demands you to listen to recordings while simultaneously repeating the material aloud for multiple repetitions.
• Maintain their speech clarity while speaking at normal speed without any unnatural pauses or stalling.
• Check the feedback and errors section for typical mistakes.

The official guidebook together with PTE practice materials, systematic online courses and regular practice sessions will help you achieve the best preparation for your PTE Home test.

Booking Your Test and Requirements on Test Day

Booking Process

• Make a new account or access your myPTE account: You need to sign in or register at the Pearson PTE website. This account you shall use in all your booking, cancellations, and result access.
• Choose your PTE Home level, center, and time: In your account, select your level, then, select a local center and date/time that are convenient to you.
• Give necessary identification information: Enter personal data precisely (e.g., passport). Any difference could lead to disqualification on test day.
• Pay Test Fee: You complete the reservation with a payment. Your reservation will only be confirmed with successful payment.
• Confirm that: Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email. This will contain such information such as the test center address, time, and instructions.
• Rescheduling or cancellation (if any): There are rules in the handbook to switch or cancel your test. Be aware of deadlines and fees if you switch your plans.

Test Day Must-Haves

In order to have a good test experience, bring the following and behave in the following manner:

• Current identification (ID): You must either log in or create a new account through the Pearson PTE website. Your account will serve as the primary tool for managing all your bookings and cancellations and viewing your test results. 
• Booking confirmation / Applicant details: Take along the confirmation email or copy with your test information. This allows the center staff to confirm your appointment.
• Arrive early: Plan to arrive much, much earlier before your appointment to allow time to process check-in procedures (photograph, biometric identification, security).
• Respect test centre rules: You will need to leave your personal things (phones, bags) in lockers. The test center will also have rules about how to behave, noise, and conduct in the test room.
• Get ready to confirm your identity and biometric information: They might request to photograph you, sign, or fingerprint to confirm who you are.
• Use provided equipment: It’s on the computer, and the test center will give you a headset and mic. Make sure you’re comfortable with them.
• No interruptions (or very few interruptions): These PTE Home tests are usually short; no break is usually allowed. Be ready to take the test in one sitting.
• Rescheduling or cancellation: The handbook contains specific guidelines about test rescheduling and cancellation procedures. Be aware of deadlines and fees if you switch your plans.

Post-Test Procedures and Retaking the Test

Receiving and Accessing Results

Once you complete your PTE Home test, your results get processed and uploaded online. Your score report can be viewed by logging into your myPTE account, where you will have access to detailed information such as the level of the test that you have taken (A1, A2 or B1), whether you have passed or failed and the date and location of your test. For a step-by-step guide on how to check PTE scores, see our detailed instructions.

Your report also contains your SELT reference number, which you will require for visa and immigration. The handbook provides instructions for a rescoring process which allows you to request a review of your test results if you find any errors in your results. 

Retake Policy

The test allows individuals to retake it when they fail or desire to improve their existing score. The test center allows you to schedule your next session immediately after a new time slot becomes available. 

The test fee must be paid again for every retake you take. The results from your rescore request will remain valid but you can still take the test again to get a higher score.

Special Considerations and Test Center Rules

Accommodations and Special Requirements

The test centers provide special accommodations to students who meet the specified criteria. Students must submit a special requirements form six weeks before their test date to get accommodations. 

Your myPTE account serves as the platform through which you can make this request. The Pearson Customer Support team will handle your submission before reaching out to you for accommodation discussions.

Comfort Aids Allowed

Candidates are allowed to bring some comfort stuff to the test center including:

• Tissues
• Cough drops (must be unwrapped)
• Neck, back, or injured limb supporting pillow
• Sweater, sweatshirt, or blazer 
• Eyeglasses and hearing aids
• Neck braces or collars are also worn by those with neck injuries.
• Insulin pump fastened to the patient’s body

The Test Administrator must inspect all comfort aids before allowing the person to enter the test room. Test setters need to have access to comfort aids at all times. 

Adherence to Test Center Rules

It is required that you adhere to test center rules to ensure the process stays safe and equitable. The following items and actions are prohibited in the test room:

• Phones and electrical appliances
• Digital watches
• Jewelry over 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) in thickness
• Handbags and Wallets
• Coats and hats
• Books and notes

Candidates who break the rules may have PTE Home scores cancelled. Cheating or dishonest conduct will incur disqualification from future testing and may also lead to prosecution.

FAQs

Is PTE Home less demanding than other English tests such as IELTS or PTE Academic?

Yes. PTE Home is concerned with only speaking and listening ability and employs basic, daily-type matters. It is normally regarded as an easier and less nerve-racking examination than IELTS or PTE Academic, which examines all four capabilities.

Is there an online PTE Home Test available for home delivery?

No. The PTE Home is a face-to-face test that must be carried out at an official UKVI test center in order to ensure identity verification and security testing.

Can I use my PTE Home result for study or work purposes?

No. PTE Home can only be accepted for the purpose of visa and immigration in the UK. PTE Academic is needed for study or professional registration.

Conclusion and CTA

PTE Home tests provide a fast and convenient showcase of your English capability in UK visas and immigration. By learning the test format, how to practice and how to prepare on test day, you’ll feel confident and have a good chance of succeeding.

With practice, known questions, and knowledge of procedures and rules, it’s an easy and attainable step to reach your UK settlement or residency goal with the PTE Home A1, A2, or B1 test.