02.15.2021
Most real-life tasks in an academic setting involve using more than one language skill together, for example listening to a lecture and writing notes. PTE Academic reflects this through its 20 task types, each of which tests a combination of skills. For example, one task type asks you to demonstrate your understanding of a passage by providing a written summary, while another tests your understanding of a lecture by asking you to re-tell the lecture. The test is divided into three main parts and lasts for approximately three hours with an optional break of ten minutes:
Part 1 : Speaking and writing (77-93 minutes)
Part 2: Reading (32-41 minutes)
Part 3: Listening (45-57 minutes)
Part 1: Speaking and writing
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Section |
Task type |
Task description |
Time allowed |
|
Section 1 |
Personal introduction |
After reading the instructions, you have 30 seconds to give a recorded introduction about yourself. This part is not assessed, but is sent to institutions you choose along with your Score Report. |
1 minute |
|
Section 2 |
Read aloud |
A text appears on screen. Read the text aloud. |
30-35 minutes |
|
Repeat sentence |
After listening to a sentence, repeat the sentence. |
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Describe image |
An image appears on screen. Describe the image in detail. |
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Re-tell lecture |
After listening to or watching a video of a lecture, re-tell the lecture in your own words. |
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Answer short question |
After listening to a question, answer with a single word or a few words. |
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Section 3-4 |
Summarize written text |
After reading a passage, write a one-sentence summary of the passage of between 5 and 75 words. |
20 minutes |
|
Section 5 |
Summarize written text or Write essay |
Either a Summarize written text task or a Write essay task, depending on the combination of tasks in your test. |
10 or 20 minutes |
|
Section 6 |
Write essay |
Write an essay of 200-300 words on a given topic. |
20 minutes |
Part 2: Reading
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Section |
Task type |
Task description |
Time allowed |
|
Multiple-choice, choose single answer |
After reading a text, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the text by selecting one response. |
32-41 minutes |
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Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers |
After reading a text, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the text by selecting more than one response. |
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Re-order paragraphs |
Several text boxes appear on screen in random order. Put the text boxes in the correct order. |
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Reading: Fill in the blanks |
A text appears on screen with several blanks. Drag words or phrases from the blue box to fill in the blanks. |
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Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks |
A text appears on screen with several blanks. Fill in the blanks by selecting words from several drop-down lists of response options. |
Part 3: Listening
|
Section |
Task type |
Task description |
Time allowed |
|
Section 1 |
Summarize spoken text |
After listening to a recording, write a summary of 50-70 words. |
20 or 30 minutes |
|
Section 2 |
Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers |
After listening to a recording, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the recording by selecting more than one response. |
23-28 minutes |
|
Fill in the blanks |
The transcription of a recording appears on screen with several blanks. While listening to the recording, type the missing words into the blanks. |
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Highlight correct summary |
After listening to a recording, select the paragraph that best summarizes the recording. |
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Multiple-choice, choose single answer |
After listening to a recording, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the recording by selecting one response. |
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Select missing word |
After listening to a recording, select the missing word or group of words that completes the recording. |
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Highlight incorrect words |
The transcription of a recording appears on screen. While listening to the recording, identify the words in the transcription that differ from what is said. |
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Write from dictation |
After listening to a recording of a sentence, type the sentence. |
Taking the test
When you take the actual test, you'll go to one of Pearson's secure test centres. You can find your nearest centre on the Pearson website at www.pearsonpte.com . This is also where you can register and book a test for a time that suits you.
On the day, make sure you arrive early so that you have time to register and go through the security procedure. Then you'll be taken to a computer and the test will begin. All parts of the test are done at a computer and the whole test takes around three hours. This includes an untimed introduction and one optional break of up to ten minutes.
After the test, you'll get an email to tell you that your PTE Academic scores are ready. This is normally within five working days from your test date. You can then log in to your account to view and print your scores, and send them to the institutions that you choose. Your scores are valid for two years from your test date.
Your Score Report
Your Score Report will give you an overall score on the Pearson Scale of English. This will then be broken down into the four communicative skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. You will also get a score for enabling skills: grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and written discourse.
