Exam Format and Scoring for the PTE
PTE Academic test is a computer-based exam that measures your academic English listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.
Part of Test |
Section |
Item Type |
Time Allowed |
Introduction |
|
|
not timed |
Part 1 : Speaking and Writing |
Section 1 |
Personal Introduction |
1 minute |
Section 2 |
Read Aloud |
30 - 35 minutes |
|
Describe Image |
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Re-tell Lecture |
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Answer Short Question |
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Section 3 - 4 |
Summarize Written Text |
20 minutes |
|
Section 5 |
Summarize Written Text or Write Essay |
10 - 20 minutes |
|
Section 6 |
Write Essay |
20 minutes |
|
Part 2 : Reading |
|
Multiple-choise, Choose Single Answer |
32 - 41 minutes |
Multiple-choise, Choose Multiple Answer |
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Re-order Paragraphs |
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Reading: Fill in the Blanks |
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Reading & Writing : Fill in the Blanks |
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Optional Break |
|
10 minutes |
|
Part 3 : Listening |
Section 1 |
Summarize Spoken Text |
20 - 30 minutes |
Section 2 |
Fill in the Blanks |
23 - 28 minutes |
|
Highlight Correct Summary |
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Multiple-choise, Choose Single Answer | |||
Select Missing Word | |||
Highlight Incorrect Words | |||
Write from Dictation |
The exam is completed in a single session of approximately three hours.
Listening questions: Some questions measure your ability to understand English. Various accents such as British, American and Australian English are used in the exam. You will be able to listen to audio and video files only once; You can adjust the sound in each file as you wish. You will not be able to replay audio / video files in the exam.
Speaking questions: Some questions measure your English speaking proficiency. You will be asked to speak into the microphone and record your reply. You cannot re-record your answers. After hearing the warning tone, if you do not answer within three seconds, your answer will not be recorded and you will have to move on to the next question.
Reading questions: The test has paragraph sorting and gap fills. The question form are multiple choice, single answer, and multiple answer paragraph questions.
Writing questions: Some questions measure your English writing proficiency. You can write your answers using any of the common spelling rules, such as British or American English. You should start answering each question within a certain amount of time. If you do not answer within this time, you will have to move on to the next question.
Scoring Your Exam Results: It is evaluated in two parts as communicative skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) and enabling skills (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and written discourse). Your total exam result is calculated with the average of all sections. All sections are evaluated separately in the 10-90 point range. Your total exam results (the average of all sections) will be in the range of 10-90. Comparison of PTE results with other exams: PTE: 58-60 = IELTS: 6.5 = TOEFL IBT: 80-85