What is the validity of a PTE score, and for how long is it accepted?

A PTE Academic score is valid for two years from the date of the test. This applies to both standard PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI. If your score expires before you submit your university application or visa application, you will need to retake the test. Most UK universities and the Home Office will not accept a score older than two years.

PTE Score Validity: At a Glance

What This Means for Your Application Timeline

My Advice

Two years sounds like a long time, but students who took the PTE during their final year of graduation often find their score is approaching expiry by the time they are ready to apply for PG studies - especially if they took a work gap year. Check your score report for the exact test date and calculate whether it will still be valid at the time your visa application is submitted, not just your university application. For the visa, the score needs to be valid on the date you submit the visa application, not the date your course starts. If in doubt, retake early rather than risk a last-minute scramble.