Testing SEND and EAL students

Broadly, we recommend the following regarding accommodations for PTE. The advice may vary depending on the purpose of the assessment and the needs of each individual child. The access arrangements differ depending on the type of test selected. For most accommodations, we broadly recommend selecting the paper format of PTE. Please see below. 

The following test accommodations CAN be used with PTE Paper: 

• Additional time (alternatively the test can be easily split into two sections and delivered over 2 sittings within a week) 
• Scribe/transcribe 
• Prompt (prompting students to keep them on track) 
• Rest break 
• Coloured overlay 
• Enlargement 

The following MIGHT be acceptable to use with PTE paper, please contact us for further details:

• Reader (only sections of the test that do not assess reading can be read by a Reader) 

The following test accommodations CAN be used with PTE Digital: 

• Practical assistant
• Prompt (prompting students to keep them on track) 
• Coloured overlay 

The following test accommodations CANNOT be used with PTE Digital: 

• Reader (audio is provided for all relevant instructions. For students with a hearing impairment we recommend using the paper test where a Reader can be used) 
• Enlargement (we recommend using the paper test for students who require enlargement) 

The following test accommodations MIGHT be acceptable for use with PTE digital, please contact us for further details: 

• Additional time (student’s work will only be saved once the ‘End Test’ button has been selected so please consider this when planning timings)
• Rest break (student’s work will only be saved once the ‘End Test’ button has been selected so please consider this when planning timings)

PTE is not a timed test – students should be given as long as they need to complete it.

If there is anything about the tests that students don’t understand, they should ask. Teachers may give additional information on procedure and assist students in completing the front cover of their answer booklets.

The test should be given to all students in the relevant age group or class. However, if the test will cause distress to a student, or you are certain that a student will score no marks at all, then it is not necessary to include such students. Similarly, students should be encouraged to work through all of the test, but where you judge that it would be inappropriate for a student to continue, it is permissible for that student to stop.

Students who are absent on the day of testing may be tested later, if this is convenient for the school.

You may want to consider carefully whether the PTE test is appropriate for students with severe reading difficulties or whose English language fluency is very limited.

If there is anything about the tests that students don’t understand, they should ask. You may give additional information on procedure and assist students in completing the front cover of their answer booklets. No other help should be provided.

Scores resulting from such non-standard administration of the test should be considered with caution. However, a standard administration will not give a meaningful result if the student is unable to access the test effectively.

Please contact your accounts manager or education adviser for further information.

If you need further assistance or support, please don't hesitate to contact us:

• UK customers: [email protected]
• International customers: [email protected]