PTE Home is Pearson's speaking and listening English test for UK visas. It takes about 30 minutes on a computer at a Pearson test centre (despite the name, not at home). PTE Home A1 is for first-time spouse and partner visas, A2 is for extensions, and B1 is for settlement (ILR) and British citizenship. Results usually arrive within 48 hours.
Checked against official sources: November 2026 (Pearson PTE Home and GOV.UK SELT guidance).
Which PTE Home level do you need?
| Level | Used for (Pearson) |
|---|---|
| PTE Home A1 | Spouse or partner visa (first application), parent of a child in the UK (first application), and some sportsperson and business representative visas |
| PTE Home A2 | Extending a spouse, partner or parent visa |
| PTE Home B1 | Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship |
All three levels test speaking and listening only and give a pass or fail result.
Is PTE Home taken at home?
No. This catches a lot of people out. PTE Home is taken at an official Pearson test centre, not online and not in your home. All UK visa English tests (SELTs) must be taken at an approved test location. The remote testing pilot ended in March 2023. See can you take the B1 English test online?
PTE Home A1 format: the three tasks
Pearson describes PTE Home A1 as a single 30-minute computer-based test with three task types:
| Task | How many | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat Sentence | 22 | You hear a short sentence and repeat it exactly |
| Describe Image | 5 | You get 25 seconds to look at an image, then describe it |
| Conversation: Listen and Answer | 5 | You hear a short conversation, then answer a question about it |
You speak into a headset microphone and the test is scored automatically. There is no examiner or other candidate in the conversation.
PTE Home A2 and B1 follow the same idea (speaking and listening on a computer, about 30 minutes) at a higher level, so the sentences, images and conversations are longer and more detailed.
How to prepare for PTE Home
Repeat Sentence (the biggest part of A1)
- Listen to the whole sentence before you start speaking.
- Repeat at a natural speed, without long pauses.
- If you miss a word, keep going. Stopping costs more than one missing word.
- Practise with short sentences from learner podcasts: pause, repeat, check.
Describe Image
- Use your 25 seconds to plan: what it is, what is in it, what is happening.
- Use simple patterns: "This is a picture of…", "There are…", "On the left…", "I can see…".
- Keep talking steadily until the time ends.
Conversation: Listen and Answer
- Listen for who, what, where and when.
- Answer the question directly, in a short full sentence.
General tips
- Speak clearly at normal volume. The microphone picks up hesitation and mumbling.
- Practise with a timer and a phone recorder, then listen back.
- Use Pearson's official PTE Home practice material so the screen layout is familiar.
Results and validity
- Results usually arrive within 48 hours (Pearson).
- Pearson shares your result with the Home Office and gives you a SELT Unique Reference Number (URN) to put on your visa application.
- The result is valid for 2 years from the test date. GOV.UK says the test must have been awarded in the 2 years before you apply.
How much does PTE Home cost?
Pearson does not publish one UK price for PTE Home. The fee depends on the country where you take the test, so use the "Find your test price" tool on Pearson's website. A retake is a new booking at the full price.
For comparison, LanguageCert and Trinity GESE both cost £160 per level in the UK, and IELTS Life Skills costs about £182 to £209. See the full comparison.
PTE Home vs the other approved tests
| PTE Home | IELTS Life Skills | LanguageCert | Trinity GESE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Computer, about 30 minutes | Examiner and another candidate, about 20 minutes | Live examiner | One-to-one examiner |
| Talking to a person? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Results | Usually 48 hours | Pass or fail | 3 to 5 working days | Pass or fail |
| Good for | People who prefer a computer and structured tasks | People who like conversation | Simple fixed £160 price | People who like one-to-one conversation |
PTE Home B1 for ILR and citizenship
If you are applying for settlement or British citizenship, PTE Home B1 is one of the accepted tests. You also need to pass the Life in the UK test for both. Note that the settlement (ILR) English level rises to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027 on most routes. Check yours with our B1 or B2 English checker. See our English requirements for ILR and citizenship and the free B1 English check.
Free PTE Home-style practice
Practise the PTE Home tasks: Repeat Sentence, Describe Image and Listen and Answer at A1, retelling a story at A2, and Repeat Sentence and Retell Story at B1. Then try a full PTE Home-style mock: A1, A2 or B1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PTE Home taken online?
No. Despite its name, PTE Home must be taken in person at an official Pearson test centre. UK visa English tests cannot be taken online or at home.
What is in the PTE Home A1 test?
PTE Home A1 has three tasks: Repeat Sentence (22 items), Describe Image (5 items, with 25 seconds to study each image) and Conversation: Listen and Answer (5 items). It takes about 30 minutes on a computer.
How long do PTE Home results take?
Pearson says results usually arrive within 48 hours. You receive a SELT Unique Reference Number to include in your visa application.
Is PTE Home B1 accepted for British citizenship?
Yes. Pearson lists PTE Home B1 for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) and British citizenship applications.
How much does PTE Home cost in the UK?
The price depends on the country where you take the test. Use the "Find your test price" tool on Pearson's website for the current UK fee.
Is PTE Home easier than IELTS Life Skills?
Neither is easier, because both test the same level. PTE Home suits people who prefer a computer and short structured tasks. IELTS Life Skills suits people who are comfortable talking face to face with an examiner and another candidate.