Priya GargStudy Abroad Expert
PTE Exam Pattern 2024: The Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) assesses the Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening skills of the candidates to ensure that they are capable of studying in the international environment, with a good grasp of the universal language of English. The PTE exam consists of 20 different question types, which test the Speaking and writing skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates looking to study abroad.
By scoring well on the PTE exam, students can assure the admission committee as well as the visa officers that they are capable of understanding the globally accepted official language while studying in a foreign land.
Q: What is PTE Academic Exam pattern?
The pattern of the PTE exam which lasts for two hours is very simple. The PTE exam pattern is designed to assess the English language Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening skills of the test taker in three parts. Since the PTE Academic exam is an integrated skills test, more than one skill gets tested by the medium of each of these 3 parts. The patterns of Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the PTE exam are given below:
- Part 1- Speaking & Writing: This section takes around 54–67 minutes to get completed and contains 7 different question types. This part assesses the English speaking and writing skills of the test taker in an academic environment.
- Part 2 - Reading: This section takes around 30 minutes to get completed and assesses the reading and writing skills of the test taker. This section contains 5 different types of questions.
- Part 3 - Listening: Taking around 30 minutes for its completion, the listening part of the test assesses the listening, reading and writing skills of the test takers and contains 8 different question types.
Q: How is the PTE Academic exam scored?
An automated scoring system analyzes your performance in each section and assigns a score from 10-90 for each skill (Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening). Your overall score reflects your general English proficiency level, calculated based on the average of your individual section scores. The scoring process is unbiased
Q: Is PTE test hard to pass?
No. Candidates should note that the exam has been designed to test the candidates’ English proficiency levels. Hence, a candidate who is well prepared would qualify for the PTE Academic exam with flying colours.
Q: How many questions are there in the PTE test?
There is no set minimum or maximum number of questions in the PTE exam. The total number of questions is within a range and subject to change. However, there are a total of 20 different question types which contribute to a total of 52-64 questions in the exam.
PTE Exam Pattern 2024
A good score on the PTE test also ensures that candidates would be able to represent their ideas, deliver presentations, work to gain international exposure, and function on the international front in front of foreign audiences. This helps the applicants ensure that they are ready to study amidst students from all over the world and international faculty members in the universal official language. In this section, we are going to talk about the latest PTE Format 2024 for candidates looking to appear for the test.
PTE Pattern - overall exam
| PTE Format |
Details |
|---|---|
| PTE Exam Pattern |
An English language exam that has been developed to test the Speaking & Writing skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates wanting to study abroad in an English-speaking country. |
| PTE Duration |
2 Hours and a Single test session |
| Medium |
Computer-based with headset |
| Mode |
Taken in a test centre / Home Edition |
| Test Type |
Assesses real-life English |
| Test Layout |
20 question types |
PTE Pattern - by Sections
Refer to the segment-wise description boxes given along with each section explaining the PTE Exam Pattern 2024 in detail:
PTE Exam Pattern: Speaking and Writing — 54 - 67 minutes
As the name implies, this section tests the candidates based on 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. The complete section is given a time duration of 54 - 67 minutes and the time allotted to each segment is as follows:
| PTE Speaking and Writing Section Question Topics |
PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16, 2021) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Personal introduction |
1 |
55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record |
| Read Aloud |
6 - 7 |
30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
| Repeat sentence |
10 - 12 |
15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record |
| Describe image |
3 - 4 |
25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
| Retell lecture |
1 - 2 |
90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to answer |
| Answer short question |
5 - 6 |
20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarize written text |
1 - 2 |
10 minutes to answer to text prompt of 300 words |
| Write Essay |
1 - 2 |
20 minutes to answer to text prompt of 2-3 sentences |
| Total Questions |
28 - 36 |
Time Allocation: 54 - 67 minutes |
PTE Exam Pattern: Reading Section — 29 - 30 mins
PTE Reading Format: 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 29 to 30 minutes long. Check out the segment-wise pattern for the time distribution of this section:
| PTE Reading Section Question Topics |
PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16, 2021) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the blanks –reading & writing |
5 - 6 |
Read 300 words of text |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers |
1 - 2 |
Read 300 words of text |
| Re-order paragraph |
2 - 3 |
Read 150 words of text |
| Fill in the blanks –reading |
4 - 5 |
Read 80 words of text |
| Multiple-choice, single answer |
1 - 2 |
Read 300 words of text |
| Total Questions |
13 - 18 |
Time Allocation - 29 - 30 minutes |
PTE Exam Pattern: Listening — 30 - 43 minutes
PTE Listening Format: The listening section of the PTE Academic is stretched over 30 to 43 minutes of duration. This one is designed to determine the ability to understand spoken English by the candidate. Here, the student needs to ascertain that they carefully hear the audio file played and retain what they heard. This section is divided into 8 segments and the time given to each segment is as follows.
| PTE Listening Section Question Topics |
PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16, 2021) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - 2 |
60-90 seconds to retain 50-70 words, 10 minutes to write |
|
| Multiple choice, multiple answers |
1 - 2 |
40-90 seconds for prompt |
| Fill in the blanks |
2 - 3 |
30-60 seconds |
| Highlight correct summary |
1 - 2 |
30-90 seconds |
| Multiple-choice, single answer |
1 - 2 |
30-60 seconds |
| Select missing word |
1 - 2 |
20-70 seconds |
| Highlight incorrect word |
2 - 3 |
15-50 seconds |
| Write from Dictation |
3 - 4 |
3-5 seconds |
| Total Questions |
12 - 20 |
Time Allocation: 30 - 43 minutes |
Q: Is 1 month enough for preparing for my PTE exam?
Your PTE exam preparation depends upon how consistently you prepare for it. You need to practice daily to polish your English language skills, read articles, and immersive yourself thoroughly into the language to get a better preparation outcome before your exam.
Your total exam preparation time also depends upon your previous knowledge of the language and how good are your basics in English. Remember, good basics are the key to solving any English exam question.
Candidates are advised to prepare for the PTE Academic exam before booking their test slot. Hence, candidates who have appeared for their PTE Academic exam before or who are well prepared for the exam can use the one month for revision and appear for the test. Others would definitely need a more substantial amount of time to be well-versed in the exam.
Q: How many questions are there in each section of the PTE exam?
There are a total of 52-64 questions in the PTE-A exam which are distributed among Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the PTE exam as given below.
| Part-wise Total Number of Questions in the PTE-A Exam | |
|---|---|
| Parts | Number of Questions |
| Part 1: Speaking and Writing | 28-36 |
| Part 2: Reading | 13-18 |
| Part 3: Listening | 12-20 |
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
PTE Syllabus 2024
PTE Registration 2024
Candidates wanting to register for the PTE exam 2024 would be required to follow the steps mentioned below to successfully book their PTE exam slot. Candidates should note that for booking your PTE Academic online, you need a valid ID - a valid Indian passport. Candidates will also be required to show their valid ID on the day of the PTE exam or else they will not be allowed to enter the PTE Test centre.
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Q: Who all are eligible to take the PTE Academic exam?
There are no specific eligibility criteria based on nationality, background, or education level. Anyone aiming to demonstrate their English proficiency for studying abroad, immigration, or professional purposes can take the PTE test. However, individual universities or visa applications may have their own score requirements.
PTE Test at Home
Launched by Pearson PLC Group - the conducting body of the PTE exam, PTE at Home testing is the PTE Academic Online Test that is being conducted from the safety of the homes of the PTE test takers. However, before you rush to book your PTE at Home testing, there are certain important factors that have to be kept in mind before you register for your online PTE at Home test.
PTE Exam Dates 2024
The PTE exam is conducted throughout the year at designated PTE test centres across the country. The PTE exam dates 2024 might vary from centre to centre. Students must search for the seats available on the Pearson PTE Academic website. Simply select the test centres closest to you, and click next. The website would prompt you to the calendar with the available dates.
PTE Exam Preparation: Candidates looking to perform well in their PTE Academic Exam would be required to follow a solid PTE Preparation plan to achieve a good PTE score. Read on as we divulge in detail about PTE exam preparation 2024, PTE preparation online, PTE preparation material, and PTE exam preparation at home among other important topics revolving around PTE preparation.
Similar to other exam prep, you can choose to study on your own or join a PTE coaching centre for your PTE preparation. The decision lies entirely to you, as you need to see whether you have enough time and resources to opt for both or select either. Newer methods of studying are gaining popularity, like PTE preparation online. It includes both self-studying and coaching class methods. You join a virtual classroom and you learn in the comfort of your home. To choose the best method on how to prepare for the PTE test you first need to look at your criteria and decide accordingly. Candidates can also check out PTE Sample Papers.
Related Reads
| PTE prep tips: Reading Section | |
| PTE Academic Writing Section Tips and Tricks | PTE Speaking Section - Tips and Tricks |
PTE Pattern - 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 been launched.
- The PTE exam is a Computer-based test with a headset
- The PTE test is responsible for assessing real-life English language skills
- Overall the PTE exam pattern is a total of 20 question types
The PTE test is made of the following components:
- Question: Time to Reading the Text Prompt: The time duration of each prompt you get varies depending upon the length of the text. The length is measurable in words or sentences. You need to be active in this part.
- Prepare for Answer: Time granted to Relax and Think: You do not have to immediately answer the question. On average, you get 10 to 15 seconds to prepare for each segment. You should relax and think for a while about how to answer.
- Answer: Time for Action: This is the total time duration in which you have to perform. The answers are recorded when you speak, saved as text when you write, and selected in options for multiple-choice questions.
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 2024. 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.
Check out the international colleges accepting PTE Score:
For those who get confused over which exam to take out of the three English language exams, check out the difference between them: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE.
PTE Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs
How is the PTE Academic exam scored?
PTE Academic Exam is scored on a scale of 10 – 90 where 10 is the lowest, with increments of 1 point. Graded on the scale, the score showcase the person’s ability to read, speak, understand verbal instructions and write the English language.
Can a student crack the PTE Academic exam without coaching?
Absolutely. Authentic study material from the official PTE website can be used to self-prepare for the PTE Academic exams. Candidates are highly recommended to only source their study material from a trusted source, such as our preparation guide or the official PTE website, only.
What is the fee for PTE Academic coaching?
The fee for PTE Academic coaching would depend on your location. You can always refer to the official PTE website for the latest online/offline preparatory material.
Can I prepare for PTE Academic on my own?
Absolutely. Candidates wanting to appear for their PTE Academic test on their own can achieve qualifying scores or higher by simply being devoted to their cause to the end and taking information from verified sources such as the official PTE website or our preparatory guide.
Is the PTE Academic test easy to crack?
For a candidate who is well versed with the PTE syllabus and who has prepared well for the exam with total sincerity and enthusiasm would be able to crack the PTE Academic test without hurdles.
What is a good PTE Academic score?
There is no such thing as a good PTE Academic score. Every university would have its own score cut-off and students are required to achieve scores equal or higher than the set grade. Candidates should note that higher scores would automatically increase their chances of securing a seat in the university and also make them a front-runner for any scholarships being offered by the university.
Can I get a scholarship through PTE Academic?
This is entirely upon the discretion of the organization. Universities and colleges do offer deserving candidates’ scholarships and grants and your PTE Academic scores could act as a catalyst to the same.
What are the PTE score requirements for admission to universities in Australia?
It is obvious that different universities would have different PTE score cut-offs. Hence, candidates can check out PTE score requirements for popular Australian universities here.
- Universities in USA1028 Universities
- Universities in Canada173 Universities
- Universities in Australia121 Universities
- Universities in UK174 Universities
- Universities in Ireland33 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
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