PTE Exam Syllabus 2026 (Section-Wise): Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking

The PTE exam syllabus is focused on the four key parameters of assessing the English language proficiency, i.e. Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. The PTE exam syllabus is-

1. Speaking & Writing  
   
   • Personal Introduction- Involves a brief introduction of you.
   • Read Aloud- Read short passages given on the screen and get tested for pronunciation, fluency and intonation. 
   • Repeat Sentence- Repeat the sentence that you listened to in the recording.
   • Describe Image- You will be presented with an image on the screen, and that image may include a graph, data, or anything. You will then have to describe the image in detail in the given amount of time. 
   • Re-tell Lecture- Listen/watch a lecture and then re-tell it in your own words.
   • Answer Short Question- Answer a question that you listened to on the recording with a single or multiple words.  
   • Summarise Group Discussion (New)- This task requires you to listen to a recorded discussion between 3 people and then summarise the whole of the discussion in your own words. 
   • Respond to a Situation- Listen to and read the description of a situation and then answer a question based on this.
   • Summarise Written Text- On reading a given passage, you will be required to write a summary of it in 1 sentence.  
   • Essay- Write an essay of 200-300 words on a topic within the given amount of time. 
2. Reading 
   
   • Reading & Writing - (Dropdown): On the screen, you will be presented with a text containing several gaps. Select the right word for the gap from the dropdown list. 
   • Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers- After listening to a recording, answer a multiple-choi

A  lot of times, candidates are left wondering about a good PTE score. PTE Academic test takers should be aware that every university would have a required PTE score and candidates are expected to achieve the same or a higher value to be eligible for admission to the university. A good PTE score could be a score that would make the candidate eligible for most universities accepting PTE scores. Having a good PTE score not only increases your chances of admission to the university but also makes you a frontrunner for any scholarships the university may provide.  

There is no passing marks for the PTE exam. According to the Pearson PLC Group, PTE test takers should aim to score a minimum of CEFR B2 level, which equals to a PTE Academic score range of 59-75. With that level of English proficiency, the students become eligible to apply for most of the universities abroad.

These scores imply that the student can follow academic-level instructions and participate in academic education both coursework and student life. This level of English is also considered eligible for professional registration, employment and applying for Australian skilled migration visas. 

The Part 1 of the PTE exam comprises of 10 different question types (including the Personal Introduction which is not scored). The number of questions asked on the PTE exam for each question type varies, except the "Personal Introduction", for which there is only 1 questio/prompt. The total number of questions that will be asked on Part 1 of the PTE exam post the declaration of the major update is not sure yet as the conducting body, Pearson PTE, is yet make an announcement for the same.

Additionally, you do not get a score for personal introduction; however this is shared with your chosen universities abroad along with your score report. 

In total, there used to be 28-36 questions in Part 1 - Speaking & Writing of the PTE exam. However, after the latest update in the PTE exam format that is scheduled to be live from 07 Aug 2025, this number of total questions in Part 1 of the PTE exam may change.

There are 5 different types of questions in Part 2 of the PTE exam. And you will be asked 13-18 of such questions in part 2 - Reading of the PTE exam. 

There are 8 different types of questions in Part 3 of the PTE exam. And in total, you will be required to answer 12-20 questions in Part 3 - Listening of the PTE exam.

There are 8 different types of questions in Part 3 - Listening of the PTE exam. The type of questions asked are listed below:

1. Summarize Spoken Text
2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
3. Fill in the Blanks (Type in)
4. Highlight Correct Summary
5. Multiple Choice, Single Answer
6. Select Missing Word
7. Highlight Incorrect Words
8. Write from Dictation

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.

1. Personal Introduction
2. Read Aloud
3. Repeat Sentence
4. Describe Image
5. Re-tell Lecture
6. Answer Short Question
7. Summarize Group Discussion (New)
8. Respond to a Situation (New)
9. Summarise Written Text
10. Essay

There will be 22 different question types (excluding the personal introduction, which is not scored) in the PTE exam. Part 1 - Speaking and Writing consists of 10 different question types (including Personal Introduction, which is not a part of PTE results and scores). Part 2 - Reading contains 5 different types of questions and Part 3 - Listening contains 8 different question types. 

No. The candidate should understand that the test has been created to understand proficiency in English. Anyone who prepares for it with practice may not find it tough on main day.

The PTE exam is a completely computerised English proficiency test that is separated into 3 different sections namely the Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening. The exam assesses the proficiency of non-native English speakers for the purpose of university admissions and visa applications. 

Here is the detailed pattern of the PTE exam:

A  lot of times, candidates are left wondering about a good PTE score. PTE Academic test takers should be aware that every university would have a required PTE score and candidates are expected to achieve the same or a higher value to be eligible for admission to the university. A good PTE score could be a score that would make the candidate eligible for most universities accepting PTE scores. Having a good PTE score not only increases your chances of admission to the university but also makes you a frontrunner for any scholarships the university may provide.  

The toughest section in the PTE Academic exam would depend on the candidates' expertise. Students are advised to have a holistic approach towards preparing for the PTE Academic exam, concentrating both on tough as well as easy sections.

After you share your scores with the universities abroad, it will take around 48 hours for the universities to be able to see those scores. Note that the universities will only be able to see the scores that you have shared and no previous scores will be shared with them.

Yes. A 75 PTE score falls under the 'Very Good' category. A PTE 75 score is equivalent to IELTS 7.5 - 8.0 band score. However, candidates should note that the real determining factor is their preferred university PTE score requirements. If they are eligible to apply with their PTE scores, good or else they can always re-take the test.

The PTE Academic test is an English language proficiency test to understand the reading, writing, speaking, and listening capabilities of the test taker.

Candidates who are well versed with the PTE Academic syllabus and the exam pattern and have prepared well for the exam would not find the PTE Academic exam difficult.

No, you are not allowed to take anything in the PTE Academic Exam Hall. This is because test centres provide you with everything necessary from computer equipment to notepad.

PTE Academic scores are typically made available within two working days (48hrs). After the completion of your PTE Academic exam, you will receive PTE Academic scores for each of the skill sections in a band range of 10 – 90. Along with that, you will also get an overall PTE score.

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.