About the PTE Academic Test:
PTE Academic is the computer-based English test. It measures your English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in a single, short test. This English test is used for study and work visas and is accepted by the Australian, New Zealand, and UK governments and trusted by over 3,000 universities and colleges.
PTE Academic is taken on a computer in a secure and friendly test center environment. It measures English speaking, listening, reading, and writing in just two hours.
PTE Academic Test Format:
There are three parts in the test.
Part 1: Speaking & Writing
Part 2: Reading
Part 3: Listening
Part 1: Speaking & Writing:
This part of the test is 54–67 minutes long and it contains seven different question types. It is the longest section of the test. You will be tested on your speaking and writing skills, using English you might hear in an academic environment.
Part 2: Reading:
This part of the test is 29–30 minutes long and it contains five different question types. Because PTE Academic is an integrated skills test, one item type (‘Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks’) also assesses writing skills.
Part 3: Listening:
This part of the test is 30–43 minutes long and it contains eight different question types. The questions are based on audio or video clips, which begin to play automatically. You hear each audio or video clip once. You are allowed to take notes.
When you complete your PTE Academic test, you receive a Score Report and a Skills Profile to help you understand your test score, your language skill level, and where you can improve.
What will you see on your Score Report?
- an Overall Score of between 10 and 90, which grades your English ability against the Global Scale of English
- individual scores for Communicative Skills – speaking, listening, reading, and writing
What will you see on your Skills Profile?
- Guidance on your performance across eight language skill categories
- Recommendations to help you further strengthen your English skills
How your score is assigned?
Each PTE Academic test has 20 question types. Each one is graded differently. Multiple choice answers are scored as either right or wrong, while scored for more complex question types like essay writing are based on many criteria.