PTE Exam Test Format: English language exam results are required to demonstrate your language skills when wanting to study abroad. Universities will know that you are qualified to pursue the course with English as the primary language of instruction if you receive this score.
One test that assesses candidates’ English reading, speaking, listening, and writing abilities is the Pearson Test of English, or PTE. The PTE exam format is intended to gauge a candidate’s readiness for study abroad. Students demonstrate their proficiency in understanding, reading, listening, speaking, and writing in English in a foreign country with their PTE scores.
The PTE exam’s format is comparable to that of many other tests for English proficiency. It places particular emphasis on the reading, listening, and speaking and writing components.
PTE Exam Types and Their Purposes
The PTE exam has two types: PTE Academic and UK Government Tests. It is recognized by universities, governments, and organizations all over the world (formerly known as PTE General).
PTE Academic is an exam taken by applicants for academic purposes that is recognized by all English-speaking nations, including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and others. Candidates also submit it while applying for work and immigration visas from the governments of Australia and New Zealand.
PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2, and PTE Home B1 are the four test types that make up UK Government Tests, formerly known as PTE General Test.
Choose Academic UKVI, a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that has been authorized by the UK government, if you want to work or enroll in a non-degree program in the UK.
For people looking to apply for a work or family visa in the UK, the PTE Home A1 exam is required. You must take the PTE Home A2 test in order to extend your family visa. Take the PTE Home B1 instead if you want to live permanently in the UK.
PTE Exam Pattern, Format, and Vital Aspects
All nations that recognize PTE test results use the same exam format. It’s the cut-off that could change.
The PTE exam format can be better understood by looking at the following table.
PTE Exam Format
| Category | Information |
| PTE Eligibility Criteria | Applicants should be aged at least 16 years |
| Testing availability | Throughout the year |
| Test duration | 2 hours |
| Exam format | There are 20 unique questions which includes, speaking & writing skills (54–67 minutes), reading skills (29–30 minutes), and listening skills (30–43 minutes) |
| Registration formalities | You can register online via the official Pearson PTE Academic website |
| Test charges | ₹14,700 |
| Test Results & Score Scale | PTE test results are available within 48 hours. Candidates will receive their results within 5 business days. The score range of PTE exam are between 10-90 |
PTE Exam Structure: Section-wise details
The Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening components of the PTE exam are listed below.
Speaking and Writing
This segment, which contains six portions and lasts between 77 and 93 minutes, evaluates the candidates’ speaking and writing skills.
| Segment-Wise Pattern | Duration/Time Required |
| Personal Introduction | Total 55 seconds |
| Read Aloud | 30-40 seconds |
| Repeat Sentence | 15 seconds to record answer |
| Describe Image | 25 seconds to prepare your response on the same |
| Re-Tell Lecture | 40 seconds to answer |
| Answer Short Question | 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarize Written Text | 10 minutes to answer |
| Essay | 20 minutes to answer |
Reading
This component, consisting of five segments that must be completed in 32–40 minutes, gauges the candidates’ comprehension of instructions. Here is a peek at the PTE format for this section:
| Section Pattern | Time Varies Based on Length of Text Prompt |
| Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer | Read 300 words of text |
| Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers | Read 300 words of text |
| Re-Order Paragraphs | Read 150 words of text |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Read 80 words of text |
| Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks | Read 300 words of text |
Listening
Students should carefully listen to the audio and retain everything they hear in this phase, which lasts 45-57 minutes and comprises 8 sub-segments, as it assesses candidates’ comprehension of spoken English. Here is the PTE exam pattern and format:
| Pattern of Section | Time Taken/Duration |
| Summarize Spoken Text | 10 minutes to write |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | 40-90 seconds for prompt |
| Fill in the Blanks | 30-60 seconds |
| Highlight Correct Summary | 30-90 seconds |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 30-60 seconds |
| Select Missing Word | 20-70 seconds |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 15-50 seconds |
| Write From Dictation | 3-5 seconds for hearing |
PTE Academic Exam Pattern and Format
The PTE Academic exam, which evaluates candidates on their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills, may take about three hours to complete.
The PTE Academic exam format is described in more detail in the table below:
| Sections | Assignments | Time allotted |
| Listening | MCQs to pick single answers and multiple answers, Writing from dictation, Summarize the spoken text, Fill in the blanks, and Highlighting incorrect words. | 45-57 minutes |
| Speaking & Writing | writing an essay, reading out loud, repeating lectures Introduction, Reiterating a statement, summarizing printed text, and responding to brief queries. | 77-93 minutes |
| Reading | reorganize the paragraphs, Fill the gaps, MCQs with a single answer and MCQs with several options. | 34-40 minutes |
The PTE Exam Result
Aspirants must also be aware that the validity of PTE exam scores is two years, similar to TOEFL and IELTS, and that you can send your PTE exam marks to as many colleges/universities as you want, without any restriction.
