How to Prepare & What to Expect on Your PTE Test Day?
Get guidance from leading English proficiency exam specialists!
- Self-study digital resources
- Step-by-step scoring advice by experts
- English booster guidebooks
What is PTE?
The Pearson Test of English or PTE evaluates the English speaking and writing skills of applicants. The PTE exam pattern is designed to test whether candidates can study at international institutions that have English as the main language for instruction. Students demonstrate their capabilities of understanding, speaking, and writing in English suitably in a foreign land through their PTE score. The PTE exam structure is similar to many other English testing examinations. It emphasizes three sections, namely, Reading, Listening, and Speaking & Writing.
Maximise your PTE exam day experience.
Discuss with a PTE trainerWhat is the significance of the PTE Test?
Every year, millions of students from across the world intend to study in the US, Australia, Canada, and other popular countries, but they must first demonstrate that they are proficient in the English language. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academics Exam is a well-known computer-based English language competency exam.
- Increased acceptance - To study or relocate overseas, non-native candidates frequently take the PTE Academic exam. If you wish to study in the UK, Australia, the USA, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, then you should know that these nations recognize the PTE test. Thousands of colleges worldwide accept PTE Academic as credit, including Yale University, Harvard University, Aston University, Boston College, Pearson College London, Oxford University, and many more.
- Computer-based test - PTE Academic is the first globally recognised English language competency test entirely computer-based. The four abilities of speaking, listening, reading, and writing are assessed.
- AI-based grading scheme - Since no human examiners are involved in the PTE exam, an automatic scoring method is used.
- Most rapid scoring - One of the major benefits of choosing the PTE Academic exam is that results are often provided within 48 hours of the test date.
- Accepted applications for immigration and visas - People from all over the world envision travelling overseas to attend reputable colleges as a stepping stone to personal development and global employability.
PTE Score Chart
PTE Band Score |
Level Description |
Above 85 |
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently, and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. |
76 - 84 |
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. |
59 - 75 |
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of oral fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. |
51 – 58 |
Has sufficient command of the language to deal with most familiar situations but will often require repetition and make many mistakes. Can deal with standard spoken language but will have problems in noisy circumstances. Can exchange factual information on a familiar routine and non-routine matters within his/her field with some confidence. Can pass on a detailed piece of information reliably. Can understand the information content of the majority of recorded or broadcast material on topics of personal interest delivered in clear standard speech. |
43 - 58 |
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on familiar topics or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. |
30 – 42 |
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need. |
10 - 29 |
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows, and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
Types of PTE Tests and Their Uses
The PTE exam structure is such that it is used by organizations, colleges and governments alike to assess a candidate’s English language proficiency. It is this credibility of the exam that has made the two types of the test, PTE Academic and PTE General, popular.
PTE Registration
- Visit www.pearsonpte.com
- Candidates willing to study in Canada, Australia or the US can submit an application via the Pearson website, but they must first register with a PTE username and password and finish the procedure.
- Click "check availability" in the homepage banner or "book a test" in the upper left corner of our site navigation.
- Click the PTE Academic header, then select "Check test availability & book."
From this point, you may look for a testing location and schedule an appointment.
- Choose the testing facility nearby, then click the next button.
- Choose your exam's date and time. You must register for (or sign into) the myPTE account.
- Finish updating your profile.
- Review your reservation information, then send your order.
Get tips and tricks to crack the PTE exam.
Get guidance for studying abroadPTE Exam Dates
All year round, the PTE test dates are available. You can choose a PTE Exam day and time that works for you. The PTE test centres accommodate the candidates who pre-book. Thus, you should schedule your PTE dates a month in advance. The approved testing locations around the nation host this specific exam throughout the full year. The student has access to all PTE exam dates. So the student can pay the PTE exam fees and book the dates at their convenience.
Before taking the exam, students must look for available seats on the exam conducting body's official website. To take the PTE exam, candidates must register for a fee of INR 14,700 per person. It takes three hours to complete this computer-based test, which Pearson PLC Group administers. The applicants are free to select any day and location for their PTE exam appearance. Contact our team to get full-fledged assistance for your PTE, Duolingo test preparations, and more.
- PTE Exam Pattern, Format, and Vital Aspects
- The PTE exam format can be understood through the following table:
PTE Exam Structure
PTE Exam Structure: Section-wise details
Here is the PTE exam pattern for the three sections – Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.
Speaking and Writing
This section tests examinees’ speaking and writing abilities. It requires 77 to 93 minutes and has 6 portions. Here is a closer look:
Segment-Wise Pattern |
Duration/Time Required |
Personal Introduction |
Total 55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record answer |
Read Aloud |
30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
Repeat Sentence |
Total 15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record answer |
Describe Image |
25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
Re-Tell Lecture |
90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare, and 40 seconds to answer |
Answer Short Question |
Total 20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
Summarize Written Text |
10 minutes to answer to text prompt of 300 words |
Essay |
20 minutes to answer to text prompt of 2-3 sentences |
Reading
This section tests examinees’ ability to understand instructions. It is divided into 5 segments that have to be covered in 32-40 minutes. Here is a look at the format for this section:
Section Pattern |
Time Varies Based on Length of Text Prompt |
Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer |
Read 300 words of text |
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers |
Read 300 words of text |
Re-Order Paragraphs |
Read 150 words of text |
Reading: Fill in the Blanks |
Read 80 words of text |
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks |
Read 300 words of text |
Listening
This section covers 45-57 minutes and tests the ability of candidates to understand spoken English. Students should carefully listen to the audio and retain whatever they hear. The portion has 8 sub-segments. Here is a closer look at the pattern and format:
Pattern of Section |
Time Taken/Duration |
Summarize Spoken Text |
60-90 seconds to retain 50-70 words, 10 minutes to write |
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer |
40-90 seconds for prompt |
Fill in the Blanks |
30-60 seconds |
Highlight Correct Summary |
30-90 seconds |
Multiple Choice, Single Answer |
30-60 seconds |
Select Missing Word |
20-70 seconds |
Highlight Incorrect Words |
15-50 seconds |
Write From Dictation |
3-5 seconds for hearing |
PTE Academic Exam Pattern and Format
One may need around three hours to take the PTE Academic exam, which like other language proficiency tests assess candidates on their speaking, listening, writing and reading skills. The table given below elaborates on the PTE Academic exam format:
Sections |
Assignments |
Time allotted |
Listening |
MCQs to pick single answers, MCQs to pick multiple answers, Writing from dictation, Summarizing spoken text, Fill in the blanks, Highlighting incorrect words. |
45-57 minutes |
Speaking & Writing |
Essay writing, Reading loudly, Re-tell lecture, Introduction, Summarizing written text, Repetition of sentence, Answering short questions. |
77-93 minutes |
Reading |
Rearrange paragraphs, Fill in the blanks, MCQs for single answer, MCQs for multiple answers. |
34-40 minutes |
The PTE Exam Result
Now that you are aware of the PTE exam pattern and its key segments, you can stop worrying and start preparing for the test. Aspirants must also note that the validity of PTE exam scores is two years, much like TOEFL and IELTS. In addition, you can send your PTE scores to as many colleges/universities as you want, without any limit. Moreover, Eduversal GLobal assists students in TOEFL preparation, IELTS and other tests to help you crack your exams easily.