If you are preparing for the PTE exam, you already know how important it is for your study abroad journey. But, as important as it is, it is also equally expensive. In India, the current fee for the PTE exam is around ?18,000, including taxes. This can be expensive for some. Especially, if you combine this with extra costs like coaching, mock tests, and much more. But do you know what can help you reduce this cost? A PTE exam voucher. While, yes, using a PTE voucher can give you a discount on the fee, many students get confused about whether a voucher is actually cheaper than booking directly and if it’s actually a viable option or not. Read all about it below!
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To begin with, let's first talk about what exactly a PTE voucher is. It is a 12-digit alphanumeric code that can give you a 5% to 30% discount on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam booking. This code is generally availed during the booking process on the payment gateway when you paste it in the "Voucher" or "Promotion Code" option.
Now, you can buy these PTE vouchers through authorised and trusted sources like Gradding, who is an official partner with PTE, and they provide genuine codes that work seamlessly on the PTE website.
But this is not all, when you buy a PTE voucher, you can get more than just a fee discount. Platforms like Gradding provide additional benefits like free mock tests, study materials, and counselling sessions. These can help you in lowering your fee as well as additional costs for study material.
Well, direct PTE booking means exactly what it sounds like. Booking your PTE exam directly from the official PTE website without using a voucher. All you have to do is visit the official website, complete the whole booking process and then proceed to pay the full exam fee of ₹18,000.
When you go for direct booking, you do not have to rely on a third-party seller and pay anything in advance. This is a straightforward process and is particularly great for students who want to book last-minute.
However, unlike a voucher, it does not provide any discount or additional resources.
Now that you have a better understanding of what both are. Let’s take a look at a side-by-side PTE Voucher Vs Direct Booking comparison.
| Feature | PTE Voucher | Direct Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually 5–20% off the exam fee | Full exam fee (around ₹18,000 in India) |
| How to Buy | Through authorised seller like Gradding | Book directly on the official Pearson PTE website using a credit/debit card |
| Payment | Enter the voucher code during online booking to make the payable amount 0 | Pay directly at checkout with card details |
| Extra Benefits | Often includes free study materials, like mock tests or guides | Standard booking only and study materials needs to be bought separately |
| Flexibility | Valid for several months (usually 12), so you can choose your exam date later | You must pick a specific date and pay immediately for that slot |
| Safety/Risk | Only safe if bought from a trusted reseller; fake vouchers can cause problems | Booking directly is the safest option |
To simplify which option saves you more and which one is perfect for you. Below is a breakdown of prices and scenarios where you can save more.
Our first scenario is booking the PTE exam during regular months using a voucher or directly booking. During regular months, the prices for both are easily comparable. Since the PTE exam fee remains the same, using a PTE voucher can help you save ₹300–₹1,500, depending on the discount and platform.
Now, when you book during peak months, the voucher discount might decrease a bit because of limited availability. However, it might still give you a discount on the price. In addition to this, during peak seasons, if your preferred date is not available, then a PTE voucher can allow you to easily reschedule without incurring full fees, unlike direct bookings.
If you are going for a last-minute booking, then a direct booking might be a better option. Vouchers can take time to get delivered or verified, which can cause delays. Direct booking can guarantee your instant confirmation.
More often than not, PTE vouchers come with additional benefits like mock tests, study guides, or coaching sessions. These extra resources can lead to indirect savings as students have to separately pay for these materials.
So in cases like this, even if the monetary discount is small, the overall value can be higher with a voucher.
So yes, PTE voucher and direct booking both have their own advantages. But which one is better for you depends on your needs, convenience, and flexibility.
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Book Free PTE MasterclassPreparing for the PTE exam is an important step toward achieving your study abroad dreams. While the journey can feel expensive and overwhelming, being informed about your options and planning can make the process smoother and more manageable. Smart choices, whether in scheduling, preparation, or budgeting, can save you time, money, and stress.
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