Which English language proficiency test should I take for universities in the UAE and New Zealand, given my current PTE score of 64?
You likely do not need a new test. Your PTE Academic score of 64 equals roughly IELTS 6.5, comfortably clears New Zealand's postgraduate benchmark of 58 plus and undergraduate benchmark of 50 plus, and is accepted by most UAE branch campuses, though some local UAE universities still prefer IELTS.
You do not necessarily need to sit another English test. Your PTE Academic score of 64 is a strong, widely accepted result that already meets direct entry requirements for the vast majority of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in both New Zealand and the UAE, so your next move should be confirming acceptance at your specific shortlisted universities rather than retesting by default.
How Your PTE Score Of 64 Measures Up
| Destination | Requirement | Your PTE 64 Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand undergraduate | PTE 50+ | Comfortably clears |
| New Zealand postgraduate | PTE 58+ | Comfortably clears |
| New Zealand professional registration (nursing, teaching) | PTE 65-79 | Just under; a retake may be needed later |
| UAE international branch campuses | PTE widely accepted | Generally accepted as is |
| UAE local federal universities | Often prefer IELTS or EmSAT | May require a switch to IELTS |
When You Should Consider IELTS Instead
- Your target UAE university is a local federal institution that lists IELTS or EmSAT as its only accepted proof
- You plan to pursue a licensed profession in New Zealand such as nursing or teaching, where the bar rises to 65-79
- Any individual communicative section on your PTE report (listening, reading, writing, speaking) fell below 50
My Advice
Before you spend time and money on another exam, check the admissions portal of every UAE university on your list, since PTE is fully accepted by New Zealand's eight major universities and most UAE international campuses. If even one UAE choice insists on IELTS, your PTE 64 has already proven you have the underlying skills to comfortably clear the equivalent IELTS 6.5, so book only that one additional test rather than restarting your prep from scratch.
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