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PTE test for international Students
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is one of the most popular English proficiency assessments chosen by aspirants worldwide. The PTE Exam Pattern outlines a multi-level structure. It is particularly favored by candidates aiming for admission to universities in English-speaking countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and the USA.
Understanding Your PTE Score
Report Card: The PTE Academic score report consists of an overall score and four communicative skills scores (listening, reading, speaking, writing). In the report card, there are two segments for scoring – Overall Score & Communicative Skills Scores.
An Overview of Scoring: The overall score ranges between 10–90 points. Some tasks are scored as either correct or incorrect. Only correct answers give 1 score point. Other tasks are scored as correct, partially correct or incorrect.
Score Format: The below table gives an overview of how the 20 task types in the three parts of PTE Academic (Part 1 Speaking and Writing, Part 2 Reading, Part 3 Listening) are scored. Pearson changed the exam format recently.
Part | Content | Old Test Time | New Test Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Introduction | Personal Introduction | 1 Minute | No Change |
Part 1 | Speaking & Writing | 77 to 93 Minutes | 54 to 67 Minutes |
Part 2 | Reading | 32 to 41 Minutes | 29 to 30 Minutes |
Optional Schedule Break | 10 Minutes | Removed | |
Part 3 | Listening | 45 to 57 Minutes | 30 to 43 Minutes |
Test of English Academic:
The PTE Academic is a computer-based English language proficiency test designed to assess the language abilities of non-native English speakers who are planning to study abroad. Similar to IELTS and TOEFL, it is a multi-level test that evaluates your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English. In the PTE test, questions often assess two skills at once, such as reading & speaking or listening & reading. The exam is conducted in a recognized test center and takes place in a single session lasting 3 hours (180 minutes). During the speaking assessment, your voice is recorded and submitted for evaluation. The PTE exam consists of three main sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening. A 10-minute break is provided between the Reading and Listening sections, which is not included in the overall 180-minute test duration..
The PTE Exam Pattern:
The first section consists of Speaking and Writing, with a time allocation of 77 to 93 minutes. This section includes tasks like writing an essay, which is allotted 20 minutes. The second section is Reading, with a duration ranging from 32 to 41 minutes, followed by the Listening section, which lasts between 45 and 57 minutes. Let’s now examine the various question types in each section.
PTE Academic Speaking and Reading Question types:
- Personal Introduction: You will be asked to talk about yourself, sharing information about your educational background and future aspirations.
- Read Aloud: A passage of approximately 60 words will appear on the screen, and you’ll need to read it aloud.
- Repeat the Sentence: You will hear a sentence and must repeat it exactly as you heard it.
- Describe a Chart: A chart will be displayed, and you will be required to interpret and explain the information it presents.
- Retell the Lecture: After listening to or watching a lecture, you will need to summarize the content in your own words.
- Short Answer Questions: You will listen to a series of questions and respond with a brief answer, typically one word or a short phrase.
PTE Academic Writing Question Types:
- Essay Writing: In this task, you’ll need to write an argumentative essay between 200 to 300 words. You will be given a prompt and must respond with a well-structured essay within 20 minutes.
- Summarize Text: This task requires you to write a summary of a given text in one sentence. You must capture all essential points from the passage, and your summary should not exceed 75 words. The allotted time for this task is 10 minutes.
PTE Academic Listening Question Types
- Highlight the Correct Summary: After listening to a recording, you will be provided with a text, and your task is to highlight the paragraph that best summarizes what you heard.
- Multiple Choice Questions (Choose Single Option): These questions require you to select a single answer based on the content or tone of the recording.
- Select Missing Word: You will listen to a recording and choose the word that completes the sentence from the provided options.
- Highlighting Incorrect Words: A transcript of an audio will be displayed, and you will need to listen to the recording to identify any words in the transcript that are incorrect or differ from what is in the audio.
The PTE Exam of English General:
The PTE General test has six levels, each corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. Formerly known as “The London Test of English,” the test aims to recognize achievements in English language proficiency. It consists of two parts: a written section and an interview.
The PTE general test is classified into 6 different levels.
Part | Content | Old Test Time | New Test Time |
|---|---|---|---|
A1 | Level A1 | 75 Minutes | 5 Minutes |
A2 | Level 1 | 95 Minutes | 5 Minutes |
B1 | Level 2 | 95 Minutes | 7 Minutes |
B2 | Level 3 | 120 Minutes | 7 Minutes |
C1 | Level 4 | 150 Minutes | 8 Minutes |
C2 | Level 5 | 175 Minutes | 8 Minutes |
Yes, PTE provides incredible flexibility for test takers, with results typically available within just 48 hours. The test is offered globally in over 350 test centers across more than 70 countries.
Yes, PTE allows test takers to send their scores to an unlimited number of organizations at no additional cost, offering greater opportunities for your academic and career goals.
Absolutely! PTE is accepted by thousands of academic programs worldwide for study applications. Additionally, it is approved for all student visa and migration applications for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
PTE test results are typically available within 48 hours of taking the test, allowing you to quickly proceed with your applications.