PTE Syllabus 2025 for Reading, Listening, Speaking & Writing Sections

The PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic exam doesn't follow a traditional subject-based format like math, science, or history. Instead, it tests your English language proficiency across four core skill areas, all integrated into one computer-based test:

Each question may test a combination of skills (e.g., listening + writing or reading + speaking). So, while there are no "subjects" in the academic sense, the PTE exam focuses on:

• English grammar and vocabulary
• Listening comprehension
• Reading and interpreting texts
• Academic writing and speaking fluency

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.

Yes, PTE may seem harder to some students who have taken the IELTS exam earlier. This is because the PTE exam is concluded in a single sitting of 2 hours. However, the IELTS exam takes place in two different sittings within a span of a week. This gives students more time to prepare for the speaking part of the IELTS test. 

One other difficulty that the student may come around is that the test is completely automated and student may not find any human examiner for any part of the test. This might intimidate the students who are not comfortable with taking the test on a computer. 

The PTE exam syllabus is focused around the four key parameters of assessing the English language proficiency, i.e. Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. Here is the detailed PTE exam syllabus below:

1. Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes): 
   • Personal Introduction: Involves a brief intrpduction of you.
   • Read Aloud: Involves reading short passages aloud and getting assessed for pronunciation, fluency and intonation. 
   • Repeat Sentence: Repeat the sentence that you listen to in te recording.
   • Describe Image: You willbe presented an image on the screen and that image may include a graph, a 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 listen to on the recording with the means of either a single or multiple words.  
   • Summarise Written Text: On reading a given passage, you will be required to write the summary of it in 1 sentence.  
   • Essay: Write an eassay of 200-300 words on a topic within the given amount of time. 
2. Reading (29-30 minutes):
   • Reading & Writing - Fill in the Blanks: 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 choice question by selecting multiple best choices on the content and tone of the text.
   • Re-order Paragraphs: Several text boxes in no order appear on the screen. You have to arrange them in the correct order. 
   • Fill in the Blanks: There is a text with some gaps in it. You will have to fill the gaps with the correct words given in the box below. Simple drag and drop the word in the gap to fill it. 
   • Multiple Choice, Single Answer: after listening to a recording, answer a multiple choice question by selecting only 1 response. 
3. Listening (30-43 minutes):
   • Summarise Spoken Text: You have to write a short 50-70 words summary after listening to a recording.
   • Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers: Upon listening to a recording, you have to choose multiple options based on content and tone of the recording. 
   • Fill in the Blanks: The transcript of a recording with a few gaps (blanks) is already given on the screen. You must fill the gaps with correct words/phrases after listening to the according available only once. 
   • Highlight Correct Summary: You will be given some summary paragraphs and upon listening to the recording, you will have to select the summaey paragraphs that best describes the recording. 
   • Multiple Choice, Single Answer: Select one single choice upon listening to a recording.
   • Select Missing Word: From the list of available options, you will have to select the words that correctly completes the recording uponn listening to the recording,
   • Highlight Incorrect Word: You will be given the transcript of a recording on the screen and as you litsen to the recording, you will have to identify the words that don't match with the recording.  
   • Write from Dictation: You will listen to a recorded sentence and then have to type it. 

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

Pearson Test of English (PTE) is conducted by Pearson PLC Group. The tests are conducted around the year. You can book the test until last minute. PTE is generally conducted for candidates who are planning to shift abroad for any reasons like study, job etc. The scores are accepted for visa application in several countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Over 3500 universities around the globe accept this score. The test is used to measure a candidate's speaking, writing, Listening and reading skills in the English Language.

Generally, the PTE score is valid for 2 years. However, for some specific reasons such as application for Australian Visa, it can be extended to 3 years.

According to requirements, PTE is categorised into three tests are PTE Academic, PTE UK Visa Tests and PTE Home. There are no such eligibility criteria to take the test, apart from the age limit, which is set to be a minimum of 16 years.

The process to apply for PTE is :

1. Visit official Website.
2. Register yourself by creating an account
3. Book the Slot according to your preferred time. 
4. Pay the registration or test fee.
5. Take exam

Please make sure that you are opting for a centre which is near to you, as the candidates are required to visit 30 mins before the exam starts. 

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.

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. 

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 answer to this question is - yes! According to some sources, cracking the PTE exam can be easy and one can crack it even by preparing for 2 to 7 days before the exam. However, candidates are not recommended to take the exam with this kind of last-minute preapartion. Students who speak, talk, study regularly in English can be ready to take the exam in no time. But those students who are not fluent in English are recommended to immerse themsellves in the language by reading books, listening to podcasts and documentaries in English and start speaking and talking in English on a dauily basis followed by solving some PTE mock tests after completng their preparations.   

The purpose of the examination is to assess a candidate's overall proficiency in English within an academic framework. This encompasses evaluating abilities such as understanding academic lectures, interpreting written content, and effectively communicating through both speaking and writing.

To prepare for the PTE exam, students should concentrate on enhancing their knowledge of English grammar, vocabulary, and conventions of academic writing. Engaging with sample questions and tasks in a simulated academic setting is also strongly advised, as it will showcase the candidate's preparedness for success in an English-speaking educational environment.

Ultimately, a holistic approach that addresses all four language skills is vital for achieving optimal results on the PTE examination.

A candidate can take the PTE exam 12 times within a period of 12 months. An extra number of attempt(s) can be granted only if your reason for requesting an extended number of attempts aligns with the Pearson PTE test's retake policy. However, candidates cannot sit for another PTE exam until the following conditions are met - 

1. They have received the results of their last PTE exam. Until you receive the result of your last PTE test, you will not be able to register for a new one on the official PTE website. 
2. They have not already booked another PTE exam date. If you have booked a PTE test date, you will not be able to book another one. This is done to ensure that all the PTE test seats are taken by test takers at all times.  

One can book another PTE test at the next convenient date after they have received the results of the previous test. In the light of above points, candidates can take their next PTE exam within a gap of 4-5 days, and this is the only criteria set by the board. Therefore, candidates can take the PTE Academic exam as many times as they want, with each attempt separated by a minimum of 5 days. They only need to wait to receive their scores before they can book their next test. Candidates should note that PTE Test Scores are made available to test takers within 2 days.

The PTE test best suited to apply for an Australian PR is the PTE Academic Test. The minimum PTE scores required to qualify for the Australia PR are 65. The Department of Home Affairs in Australia accept teh PTE Academic test for all types of visa applications. 

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.

There is no limit of taking the PTE exam. Candidates can take the PTE test as many times as they want. The only exception to this is that the candidates can take the test only 12 times in a 12-months window. To get more number of attempts for the test, you may be required to fill out the exception form. 

Candidates should note that PTE Academic scores are now 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 score.

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.

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.

Although the Pearson Test of English (PTE) can be difficult, a person's level of preparation and language proficiency greatly influence how difficult the test is. A solid command of English is crucial because the test assesses a variety of English language abilities, such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Because the test is computer-based and has a fast-paced format, some candidates find some sections—like speaking or essay writing—more difficult. However, it gets simpler to comprehend the test style and enhance performance with regular practice, particularly with the use of official materials and mock exams. Because of its simple question formats, the PTE may seem simpler to many than other English proficiency exams like the TOEFL or IELTS. Focused preparation and familiarity with the test structure are ultimately necessary for success.

No. You should understand that the test has been created to understand the English language proficiency of the student. Hence a candidate who has prepared for the PTE Academic test should not find this English exam a tough exam.