PTE Exam Pattern 2025: 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 an international environment, with a good grasp of the universal language of English. The PTE exam consists of 22 different question types, which test:
- Speaking and writing skills (54 – 67 minutes),
- Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and
- Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates looking to study abroad.
The total duration of the PTE test is ~2 hours. 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.
Latest Update: Two new question types are going to be added to Part 1: Speaking and Writing of the PTE Exam. Check the complete details in these sections below.
PTE Exam Pattern Highlights
| PTE Exam Format |
Details |
|---|---|
| PTE Exam Pattern |
|
| PTE Exam Duration |
~2 Hours |
| Number of test sessions required |
1 |
| Medium |
Computer-based test (CBT) |
| PTE Exam Mode |
Taken at a test centre |
| Test Type |
PTE Academic (assesses academic English) |
| Test Layout |
22 question types (2 new question types added to Part 1 - Speaking & Writing of the PTE exam) |
| Total Questions |
65-86 |
It is not hard if you know the computer tricks. Unlike IELTS, there is no human examiner to judge you. It is fully AI scored. If you practice the templates for speaking and writing, you can get high score easy.
The total questions in PTE-A exam are distributed among Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
| PTE Academic Question Distribution 2025-26 | |
|---|---|
| Parts | Number of Questions |
| Part 1: Speaking and Writing | 35-43 |
| Part 2: Reading | 15-20 |
| Part 3: Listening | 15-22 |
The major changes incorporated in the PTE exam are given below-
- Addition of 2 new question types as task 7 and task 8 in Part 1 - Speaking and Writing of the PTE Exam. These questions are:
- Summarize Group Discussion, and
- Respond to a Situation
- Changes in the names of some tasks in Part 2 - Reading and Part 3 - Listening. The tasks that have been renamed are:
| Old names of the PTE Tasks | New names of PTE Tasks | PTE section |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the blanks – reading & writing | Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) | Part 2 - Reading |
| Fill in the blanks – reading | Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop) | Part 2 - Reading |
| Fill in the blanks | Fill in the blanks (Type in) | Part 3 - Listening |
What's not changing with this update - The duration and scoring of the PTE exam! The PTE exam will continue to be scored on a scale of 10-90 and the overall duration of the PTE exam will also continue to be ~2 hours, as confirmed by the conducting body.
- PTE Exam Pattern 2025
- PTE Exam Pattern | Question-wise Timed Components
- PTE Exam Syllabus 2025
- PTE Test Booking 2025
- PTE Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
PTE Exam Pattern 2025
A good score on the PTE test also ensures that candidates will 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 2025 for candidates looking to appear for the test.
PTE Exam Pattern - Part 1: Speaking and Writing
As the name implies, this section tests the candidates based on their 2 major skills of communication, which are spoken and written English skills. This section comprises 10 types of tasks that test your promptness in 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 August 07, 2025) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Personal introduction |
1 |
Total time per question: ~1 min Time to Read and Prepare: 25 s Time to Answer: 30 s |
| Read Aloud |
6 - 7 |
Total time per question: ~1-1.5 min Prompt Length: 60 words Time to Read and Prepare: 30-40 s Time to Answer: Varies, based on the length of the prompt |
| Repeat sentence |
10 - 12 |
Total time per question: ~50 s Prompt Length: 3-9 s Time to Answer: 15 s |
| Describe image |
5 - 6 |
Total time per question: ~1 min Prompt Length: NA Time to Read and Prepare: 25 s Time to Answer: 40 s |
| Retell lecture |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: ~2-2.5 min Prompt Length: 90 s Time to Prepare: 10 s Time to Answer: 40 s |
| Answer short question |
5 - 6 |
Total time per question: 20 s Prompt Length: 3-9 s Time to Prepare: 00 s Time to Answer: 10 s |
| Summarize Group Discussion (New) |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: ~5 min Prompt Time: 3 minutes Time to Prepare: 10 seconds Time to Answer: 2 minutes |
| Respond to a Situation (New) |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: >50 sec Prompt Time: contains 60 words, need to listen and read a prompt Time to Prepare: 10 seconds Time to Answer: 40 seconds |
| Summarize written text |
2 |
Total time per question: ~10 min Prompt Length: 300 words Time to Answer: 10 minutes |
| Write Essay |
1 |
Total time per question: ~20 min Prompt Length: 2-3 sentences Time to Answer: 20 min |
PTE Exam Pattern: Reading Section
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 August 07, 2025) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the blanks (Dropdown) |
5 - 6 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 300 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 350 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Re-order paragraph |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 150 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Fill in the blanks – Drag and Drop |
4 - 5 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 80 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Multiple-choice, single answer |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 300 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
PTE Exam Pattern: Listening
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 August 07, 2025) |
Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Total time per question: ~12 min Prompt Length: 60-90 s Time to Listen and Answer: 10 min |
|
| Multiple choice, multiple answers |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 80-120 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Fill in the blanks (Type in) |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 30-60 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Highlight correct summary |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 30-90 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Multiple-choice, single answer |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 300 words Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Select missing word |
1 - 2 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 20-70 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Highlight incorrect word |
2 - 3 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 15-50 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
| Write from Dictation |
3 - 4 |
Total time per question: NA Prompt Length: 3-5 s Time to Read and Prepare: NA Time to Answer: NA |
Commonly asked questions
With the new update from 07 August 2025, the Part 1 - Speaking & Writing of the PTE exam will have 10 different question types. These new tasks will be introduced as task 7th and task 8th in Speaking and Writing section of the PTE exam.
The complete (updated) list of different question types in Part 1 - Speaking and Writing of the PTE exam is given below.
- Personal Introduction
- Read Aloud
- Repeat Sentence
- Describe Image
- Re-tell Lecture
- Answer Short Question
- Summarize Group Discussion (New)
- Respond to a Situation (New)
- Summarise Written Text
- Essay
There are 8 different types of questions in Part 3 - Listening of the PTE exam. The type of questions asked are listed below:
- Summarize Spoken Text
- Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
- Fill in the Blanks (Type in)
- Highlight Correct Summary
- Multiple Choice, Single Answer
- Select Missing Word
- Highlight Incorrect Words
- Write from Dictation
PTE Exam Pattern | Question-wise Timed Components
Time allotted to each question on the PTE exam consists of the following components-
- Time allotted to reading/listening the question prompt- This is the time needed to read or listen to the text prompt. The time duration of each prompt you get varies depending on the length of the text. The length is measurable in words or sentences. You need to be active in this part.
- Time allotted to prepare an answer- This is the time granted to reflect and think of a response, not available for all questions. On average, you get 10 to 15 seconds to prepare for each segment.
- Time allotted for answering- This is your time of action, and start attempting your answer. 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.
Commonly asked questions
For Bachelor degree, usually 50 to 58 score is needed. For Masters, universities ask for 58 to 65. For just the student visa (Subclass 500), minimum score required by government is 42.
The total questions in PTE-A exam are distributed among Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
| PTE Academic Question Distribution 2025-26 | |
|---|---|
| Parts | Number of Questions |
| Part 1: Speaking and Writing | 35-43 |
| Part 2: Reading | 15-20 |
| Part 3: Listening | 15-22 |
Absolutely! Authentic study material from the official PTE website can be used to self-prepare for the 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.
PTE Exam Syllabus 2025
Commonly asked questions
Below are some of the best expert advices on how you can start preparing for your PTE exam:
- Cram Everything about the PTE Exam: If you practice this, more than 30% of your job is done. PTE Academic is a time-based test and a prior understanding of the entire exam pattern, question types and the right approach to answering each of these questions can save you a lot of time for the answering part rather than it getting wasted on reading and understanding instructions for each question type.
- Prepare on a Wide Range of Topics: Understanding what is being asked in the question is important and answering it for any given skills is another part. For that reason, you will be required to make your English more versatile by consuming knowledge on each topic from different channels such as newspaper, documentries, podcasts, vlogs, blogs, magazines and dramas - all these formats include a wide range of vocabulary.
- Avoid Using Memorised Script or Format for Answering a Question: Create a pattern or structured response for answering a particular type of question but do not learn specific format or script. You can instead use your own words to create a response based on - point (the main idea of the question), illustration and explanation of the same.
- Practice and Practice More: Practicing often and practicing different types of questions in the PTE exam can get you an edge.
Candidates are advised to appear for the PTE Academic exam after having prepared well for the exam. Candidates are advised to refer to online/offline study material available on the official PTE website and also go through our preparatory guide.
PTE Test Booking 2025
Candidates wanting to register for PTE exam 2025 would be required to follow 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 which is usually valid Indian passport. Candidates will also be required to show their valid ID on day of PTE exam or else they will not be allowed to enter PTE Test centre.
Commonly asked questions
One can take the PTE test 12 times within a 12 month window. However, you may be granted permission to take some extra attempts if the reason for your retake aligns with the retake policy of the PTE exam.
Note: Candidates must not use new IDs to get benefitted with extra number of attempts as this may lead to the delay in results and may put one in breach of exam's malpractice policy.
The PTE test dates are available all year round. However, a student can appear for the PTE exam for a maximum of 12 times within a period of 12 months.
The Pearson PLC Group ensures that students have a good experience while taking their PTE exam. To ensure this, several PTE test centres have been opened across major locations in different countries. Only 10-15 test takers (at max.) are allowed to take the PTE exam in a day at the designated PTE test centre. For this reason, students must book their PTE exam slots timely on priority.
PTE Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
Check out the PTE Exam Pattern FAQs below.
Commonly asked questions
The main difference between PTE Academic and PTE Core lies in their intended purpose, test format, and where they are accepted. Here are the basic differences between above given PTE exam patterns:
| Difference between PTE Academic and PTE Core | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parameters | PTE Academic | PTE Core |
| Purpose | Used for university admissions and student visa application. | Primarily used for immigration to Canada. |
| Test Format | Contains tasks based on everyday lectures and academic discussions. | Contains tasks based on everyday conversations and workplace English. |
| Target Audience | Mostly students willing to study abroad | Skilled workers and immigrants applying for either a work visa or PR in Canada |
| Accepting Countries | Widely accepted in USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand | Accepted by IRCC (Canada) for permanent residency & work |
| Test Duration | ~2 hours | ~2 hours |
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.
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.
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