PTE Exam Pattern & Structure: Section-wise Test Pattern, Question Topics and Duration; www.pearsonpte.com
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PTE Exam Pattern: The Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) assesses the Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening skills of the candidates to ensure that they are capable of studying in the international environment, with a good grasp of the universal language of English. The PTE exam format consists of 20 different question types, which test the Speaking & Writing skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates looking to study abroad. By scoring well on this test, students can assure the admission committee as well as the visa officers that they are capable of understanding the globally accepted official language while studying in a foreign land.
A good score on the PTE test also ensures that candidates would be able to represent their ideas, deliver presentations, work to gain international exposure, and function on the international front in front of foreign audiences. This helps the applicants ensure that they are ready to study amidst students from all over the world and international faculty members in the universal official language.
Latest Updates for PTE Exam
This section would cover any latest developments revolving around the PTE exam pattern for the benefit of students who are planning o appear for their PTE Academic exam.
Pearson launches a shorter version of the PTE Test and PTE at Home to commence in November
PTE Format: Candidates who have been waiting for Pearson to introduce the ‘PTE at Home’ version of the PTE Exam are in for a pleasant surprise. Starting October 25, , candidates wanting to take the ‘PTE at Home’ can book their PTE Academic online test which is starting from November 16. Candidates would also be glad to know that the current PTE Exam would be shortened by one hour (PTE new pattern) also starting November 16. Download: Know all about the changes introduced by the Pearson PLC Group on the PTE Academic Exam (PTE new pattern).
PTE Exam Pattern
In this section, we are going to talk about the latest PTE Format for candidates looking to appear for the test.
PTE Pattern – overall exam
| PTE Format | Details |
|---|---|
| PTE Exam Pattern | An English language exam that has been developed to test the Speaking & Writing skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates wanting to study abroad in an English-speaking country. |
| PTE Duration | 2 Hours and a Single test session |
| Medium | Computer-based with headset |
| Mode | Taken in a test centre / Home Edition |
| Test Type | Assesses real-life English |
| Test Layout | 20 question types |
PTE Pattern – by sections
Refer to the segment-wise description boxes given along with each section explaining the PTE Exam Pattern in detail:
PTE Exam Pattern: Speaking and Writing — 77 to 93 minutes 54 – 67 minutes
As the name implies, this section tests the candidates based on their 2 major skills of communication, which are spoken and written skills. This section comprises six small sections that test you on your promptness over speaking and writing the written test that you would get to read for the first time. The complete section is given a time duration of 54 – 67 minutes and the time allotted to each segment is as follows:
| PTE Speaking and Writing Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16,) | Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Personal introduction | 1 | 55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record |
| Read Aloud | 6 – 7 | 30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
| Repeat sentence | 10 – 12 | 15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record |
| Describe image | 3 – 4 | 25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
| Retell lecture | 1 – 2 | 90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to answer |
| Answer short question | 5 – 6 | 20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarize written text | 1 – 2 | 10 minutes to answer to text prompt of 300 words |
| Write Essay | 1 – 2 | 20 minutes to answer to text prompt of 2-3 sentences |
| Total questions | 28 – 36 | Time Allocation: 54 – 67 minutes |
PTE Exam Pattern: Reading Section — 32 to 41 minutes 29 – 30 mins
PTE Reading Format: This section tests the candidates on the basis of their ability to understand the written instructions in the language. The section further divided into 5 segments is 29 to 30 minutes long. Check out the segment-wise pattern for the time distribution of this section:
| PTE Reading Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16, ) | Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the blanks –reading & writing | 5 – 6 | Read 300 words of text |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers | 1 – 2 | Read 300 words of text |
| Re-order paragraph | 2 – 3 | Read 150 words of text |
| Fill in the blanks –reading | 4 – 5 | Read 80 words of text |
| Multiple choice, single answer | 1 – 2 | Read 300 words of text |
| Total questions | 13 – 18 | Time Allocation – 29 – 30 minutes |
PTE Exam Pattern: Listening — 45 to 57 minutes 30 – 43 minutes
PTE Listening Format: The listening section of the PTE Academic is stretched over 30 to 43 minutes of duration. This one is designed to determine the ability to understand spoken English by the candidate. Here, the student needs to ascertain that they carefully hear the audio file played and retain what they heard. This section is divided into 8 segments and the time given to each segment is as follows.
| PTE Listening Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task (w.e.f November 16, ) | Duration per task |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize spoken text | 1 – 2 | 60-90 seconds to retain 50-70 words, 10 minutes to write |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers | 1 – 2 | 40-90 seconds for prompt |
| Fill in the blanks | 2 – 3 | 30-60 seconds |
| Highlight correct summary | 1 – 2 | 30-90 seconds |
| Multiple choice, single answer | 1 – 2 | 30-60 seconds |
| Select missing word | 1 – 2 | 20-70 seconds |
| Highlight incorrect word | 2 – 3 | 15-50 seconds |
| Write from Dictation | 3 – 4 | 3-5 seconds |
| Total questions | 12 – 20 | Time Allocation: 30 – 43 minutes |
PTE Syllabus
PTE Registration
Candidates wanting to register for the PTE exam would be required to follow the steps mentioned below to successfully book their PTE exam slot. Candidates should note that for booking your PTE Academic online, you need a valid ID – a valid Indian passport. Candidates will also be required to show their valid ID on the day of the PTE exam or else they will not be allowed to enter the PTE Test centre.
PTE Test at Home
Launched by Pearson PLC Group – the conducting body of the PTE exam, PTE at Home testing is the PTE Academic Online Test that is being conducted from the safety of the homes of the PTE test takers. However, before you rush to book your PTE at Home testing, there are certain important factors that have to be kept in mind before you register for your online PTE at Home test.
PTE Exam Dates
The PTE exam is conducted throughout the year at designated PTE test centres across the country. The PTE exam dates might vary from centre to centre. Students must search for the seats available on the Pearson PTE Academic website. Simply select the test centres closest to you, and click next. The website would prompt you to the calendar with the available dates.
PTE Exam Preparation: Candidates looking to perform well in their PTE Academic Exam would be required to follow a solid PTE Preparation plan to achieve a good PTE score. Read on as we divulge in detail about PTE exam preparation, PTE preparation online, PTE preparation material, and PTE exam preparation at home among other important topics revolving around PTE preparation.
Similar to other exam prep, you can choose to study on your own or join a PTE coaching centre for your PTE preparation. The decision lies entirely to you, as you need to see whether you have enough time and resources to opt for both or select either. Newer methods of studying are gaining popularity, like PTE preparation online. It includes both self-studying and coaching class methods. You join a virtual classroom and you learn in the comfort of your home. To choose the best method on how to prepare for the PTE test you first need to look at your criteria and decide accordingly. Candidates can also check out PTE Sample Papers.
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PTE Pattern – At a Glance
This is a quick glance at the PTE exam format that candidates would have to follow.
- The PTE exam is being conducted at a PTE test centre. The PTE at Home has been launched.
- The PTE exam is a Computer-based test with a headset
- The PTE exam is two hours long w.e.f November 16,
- The PTE test has been introduced to assess real-life English
- Overall the PTE exam pattern has a total of 20 question types
The PTE test is made of the following components:
- Question: Time to Reading the Text Prompt: The time duration of each prompt you get varies depending upon the length of the text. The length is measurable in words or sentences. You need to be active in this part.
- Prepare for Answer: Time granted to Relax and Think: You do not have to immediately answer the question. On average, you get 10 to 15 seconds to prepare for each segment. You should relax and think for a while about how to answer.
- Answer: Time for Action: This is the total time duration where you have to perform. The answers are recorded when you speak, saved as text when you write, and selected in options multiple-choice questions.
PTE Results and Score
PTE Results are usually available online within two working days from the test date. The PTE Academic results are issued online. And can be accessed from your PTE Academic student account.
What is the validity of the PTE test scores?
The scores of your PTE Academic exam are valid for a period of two years.
How many times can I appear for the PTE Academic Exam?
There is no limit by Pearson as to how many times a candidate can give the PTE Exam. Candidates can take the exam with a gap of 5 days. So, candidates can take the PTE Academic exam as many times as they want.
Check out the international colleges accepting PTE Score:
- MS Colleges Accepting PTE Score
- MBA Colleges Accepting PTE Score
For those who get confused over which exam to take out of the three English language exams, check out the difference between them: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE.
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