PTE ACADEMIC

A guide to the test and its format

Part of Test Section Item Type Time to allowed

Part 1- Speaking and Writing

-

Total time

54-67 minutes

Section 1

Personal Introduction

40 Seconds

Section 2

1.    Read Aloud

2.    Repeat Sentence

3.    Describe Image

4.    Retell Lecture

5.    Answer Short Question

30-35 minutes

Section 3

Summarise Written Text

10 minutes

Section 4

Essay

20 minutes

Part 2- Reading

1.    Reading and Writing Fill in the blanks

2.    Multiple choice chose Multiple answer

3.    Reorder Paragraph

4.    Fill in the blanks

5.    Multiple choice chose Single answer

29-30 minutes

Part 3- Listening

Total time

30-43 minutes

Section 1

Summarise spoken text

10-20 minutes

Section 2

1.    Multiple choice chose multiple answer

2.    Fill in the Blanks

3.    Hight Correct Summary

4.    Multiple choice chose single answer

5.    Select missing word

6.    Highlight incorrect words

7.    Write from dictation

20-23 minutes

Understand each question type :

Your speaking proficiency will be judged by 3 different categories i.e. oral fluency, pronunciation and content. There are 5 types of questions

The speaking section begins with Personal Introduction, here you are expected to introduce yourself, but this part of the tests is not assessed.

Note: You must ensure that your response is recorded before the "progress bar" reaches to recorder starts the internal microphone will close and your responses will not be recorded.

Items

No. of Questions

Scoring

Time to answer

Skills Assessed

Read Aloud

6-7

15 points for each question

40 seconds

reading and speaking

Repeat Sentence

8-10

13 points for each question

15 seconds

listening and speaking

Describe Image

3-4

15 points for each question

40 seconds

Speaking

Re-tell Lecture

1

15 points

40 seconds

listening and speaking

Answer Short Question

6-8

1 point for one correct answer

10 seconds

listening and speaking
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Items

No. of Questions

Scoring

Time to answer

Skills Assessed

Summarize written text

1-2

7 point for each question

10 minutes

Reading and Writing

Essay

1

15 points

20 minutes

Writing
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This part of the test is 29–30 minutes long and it contains five different question types. Because PTE Academic is an integrated skills test, one item type ('Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks') also assesses writing skills.

 

Factors

No. of Questions

Scoring

Skills Assessed

Reading and writing Fill in the blanks

5-6

1 point for Each Correctly Completed Blank

Reading and Writing

Multiple choice chose, multiple answer

1-2

1 point for correct answer. -1 point for incorrect answer

Reading

Reorder paragraphs

2-3

1 point for each correct pair

Reading

Reading Fill in the blanks

4-5

1 point for each correct blank

Reading

Multiple choice chose, single answer

1-2

1 point for correct answer

Reading
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This part of the test is 30–43 minutes long and it contains eight different question types.

The questions are based on audio or video clips, which begin to play automatically. You hear each audio or video clip once. You are allowed to take notes.

 

Items

No. of Questions

Scoring

Time to answer

Skills Assessed

Summarize spoken text

1-2

10 points

10 minutes

Listening and Writing

Multiple Choice Chose Multiple Answer

2

1 point for correct answer

-1 point for incorrect answer

20 minutes

Listening

Fill in the Blanks

3-4

1 point for correct answer

Listening and Writing

Highlight Correct Summary

2

1 point for correct answer

Listening

Multiple Choice Chose Single Answer

2

1 point for correct answer

Listening

Select Missing Word

2

1 point for correct answer

Listening

Highlight Incorrect Words

3-4

1 point for correct answer

-1 point for incorrect answer

Listening and Reading

Write From Dictation

3-4

1 point for correct word

Listening and Writing
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

You can check PTE Academic test dates and session availability at pearsonpte.com/book/ under ‘Availability’.

PTE Academic is recognised globally for academic entrance by over 1,700 institutions and over 3,000 programs. PTE Academic is accepted by all universities in Australia and New Zealand, 98% of universities in the United Kingdom and a large number of institutions in Canada and the USA. PTE Academic is recognised by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for all visa categories including skilled migration. PTE Academic is also accepted in Australia by a growing number of employers and professional associations.

W: www.pearsonpte.com
T: 1800 729 282 (open Monday to Friday 7am–7pm Central Time; closed on local holidays)
Chat live with Pearson on their website: https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center

You can check PTE Academic test dates and session availability at pearsonpte.com/book/ under ‘Availability’.

During the month following your test appointment, you will receive an email invitation to share your views on your PTE Academic test journey. If you are unsatisfied with your testing experience, you can contact Pearson VUE Customer Support team at: pte-acustomersupportapac@pearson.com

You should arrive approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of your test.

Test Centre only accepts your original passport as ID.

There is no scheduled break during the test.

You may take an unscheduled break if you need to. However, the exam clock will not be stopped. During an unscheduled break you are not allowed to access your locker, leave the test area or speak to another candidate.

If you are ill on the test day and unable to sit the test, please contact Pearson as soon as possible. Pearson will offer transfers to another test session free of charge in some circumstances. Phone: 1800 729 282 Email: pte-acustomersupportapac@pearson.com

Your results will typically be available within five business days of your test date. When your results are ready, you will receive an email notification from Pearson telling you how to view your score via your Pearson web account. If for any reason there is a delay in your results, Pearson will contact you directly.

You can find information on scores at: http://pearsonpte.com/test-takers/results/

Pearson does not issue paper certificates or paper score reports for PTE Academic. You can send your score to your chosen institution(s) and government bodies via your Pearson web account. Only scores assigned in this way are considered to be valid.

PTE Academic results are typically available within 2-5 business days and candidates can schedule tests up to 24 hours in advance. Typically, students are able to schedule, take and send their PTE Academic scores to institutions, all within 1 week.