The Pearson Test of English Academic
PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English language test aimed at non-native English speakers wanting to study abroad. It tests Reading, Listening, Speaking & Writing.
Questions often test 2 skills together, such as listening and reading or reading and speaking. The whole test is done in a single session, lasting 3 hours, and is taken sitting at a computer in a secure test environment. The speaking part of the exam is done at the computer. Your voice is recorded and sent for marking.
One advantage of this test is that you get your results very quickly; typically, within 48 hours of taking the test.
Speaking and Writing (77 to 93 minutes)
This section tests the candidates on the basis of their 2 major skills of communication, which are spoken and written skills. This section comprises six small sections that test you on your promptness over speaking and writing the written test that you would get to read for the first time ever. The complete section is given a time duration of 77 to 93 minutes and the time allotted to each segment is as follows:
-
- 77-93 minutes
- Personal Introduction
- Read aloud
- Repeat sentence
- Describe image
- Re-tell lecture
- Answer short question
- Summarize written text
- Essay
| PTE Exam Pattern | Time Duration |
| Personal Introduction | 55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record |
| Read Aloud |
30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
| Repeat Sentence
|
15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record |
| 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 | 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 Section (32 to 41 minutes)
This section tests the candidates on the basis of their ability to understand the written instructions in the language. The section further divided into 5 segments is 32 to 41 minutes long. Check out the segment-wise pattern for the time distribution of this section:
- Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
- Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers
- Re-Order Paragraphs
- Reading: Fill in the Blanks
- Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks
A ten-minute break is optional
| PTE Exam Pattern | Time Duration |
| 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 (45 to 57 minutes)
- 45-57 minutes
- Summarize spoken text
- Multiple-choice questions
- Fill the blanks
- Highlight the correct summary
- Multiple-choice questions
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
| PTE Exam Pattern | Time 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 |
How much do you have to pay for it?
The standard price of the test is $205; it varies from country to country.
PTE Exam Format – At a Glance
This is a quick glance at the PTE exam format that candidates would have to follow.
- The PTE exam is being conducted at a PTE test Centre. The PTE at Home has not been launched.
- The PTE exam is a Computer-based test with a headset.
- The PTE exam is three hours long.
- The PTE test has been introduced to assess real-life English.
- Overall the PTE exam pattern has a total of 20 question types.
- The PTE exam pattern will also include a 10-minute break.
PTE Results and Score
PTE Results are usually available online within two working days from the test date. The PTE Academic results are issued online. And can be accessed from your PTE Academic student account.
What is the validity of the PTE test scores?
- The scores of your PTE Academic exam are valid for a period of two years.
How many times can I appear for the PTE Academic Exam?
- There is no limit by Pearson as to how many times a candidate can give the PTE Exam 2021. Candidates can take the exam with a gap of 5 days. So, candidates can take the PTE Academic exam as many times as they want.
If you are interested in studying abroad, then the Pearson Test of English Academic is the right test for you. Hopefully, this article has given you some idea’s regarding the PTE test. If you have any other questions about the PTE Academic test, please feel free to ask us by registering here.