What is PTE?
Pearson Test of English (PTE) provides secure English language testing for study applications worldwide, and for visa applications for work and migration in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada. Every year, tens of thousands of people trust PTE to help them rapidly prove their English proficiency – and to open doors to their future lives and careers.
PTE Academic Test Format
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic assesses your English language skills in an integrated, computer-based format. It’s designed to evaluate real-life English used in academic environments.
The test is divided into three main parts:
1. Speaking & Writing (77–93 minutes)
- Personal introduction (not scored)
- Read aloud
- Repeat sentence
- Describe image
- Re-tell lecture
- Answer short questions
- Summarize written text
- Essay writing (20 minutes)
2. Reading (32–41 minutes)
- Multiple-choice questions (single and multiple answers)
- Re-order paragraphs
- Fill in the blanks
3. Listening (45–57 minutes)
- Summarize spoken text
- Multiple-choice questions
- Fill in the blanks
- Highlight correct summary
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
Understanding Your PTE Scores
- PTE scores range from 10 to 90 for each skill: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
- The overall score is an average of these skills.
- Results are usually available within 48 hours.
- Most universities and immigration departments accept PTE scores as proof of English proficiency.
- Your score report also shows performance in enabling skills like grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.