PTE Academic
PTE Academic is the world’s leading computer-based test of English for study abroad and immigration. Typically, PTE Academic results are available within five business days.
PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities worldwide, including prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, INSEAD and Yale. PTE Academic is also accepted for visa purposes by the Australian and New Zealand governments.
AI Based Scoring
Artificial Intelligence (AI) scoring means your English language skills are assessed by an algorithm that mimics how human markers would score, based on a substantial number of responses. What this means is that you’re graded only on what you say.
Flexible Testing, Fast Results & Acceptance
Thanks to the use of market leading technology, PTE offers all test takers incredible flexibility. Test taker results are typically within just 48 hours of taking the test and furthermore, PTE offers global testing in more than 295 test centers in over 50 countries. PTE proudly gives all test takers the freedom to send your scores to as many organizations as you like. PTE is accepted for study applications by thousands of academic programs around the world. It is also approved for all UK, Australian and New Zealand student visa and migration applications.
PTE Academic Test Format
To complete a PTE Academic test, you will need to attend a secure Pearson test center. You will use a computer and headset to listen to, read and respond to questions. PTE Academic assesses real-life, academic English, so you will hear excerpts from lectures and view graphs and charts. You will hear a range of accents in the test, from British and American to non-native speakers, so you will be exposed to the type of accents you will encounter in everyday life.
During the 3 hour test session, there are 3 main parts to the test: speaking and writing (together), listening and reading. There is also an optional 10-minute break between the reading and listening parts. During the test, you will find 20 different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information.
In Part 1 you will be tested on your speaking and writing skills. The time given to this section is 77-93 minutes.
To assess speaking, your skills will be tested by your ability to produce spoken English in an academic environment.
The writing section will require you to write responses in academic English using correct grammar and spelling.
- Personal introduction
- Read aloud
- Repeat sentence
- Describe image
- Re-tell lecture
- Answer short question
- Summarize written text
- Essay (20 mins)
In Part 2 you will be tested on your reading skills. This single timed section contains 15-20 independent and integrated skills items, depending on the combination of items in a given test. Different response formats, including multiple-choice, re-order paragraphs, and fill in the blanks, are designed to test your ability to read, write and listen to information provided in English. Because PTE Academic is an integrated skill test, one item type in this part of the test also assesses writing skills. You have about 32–40 minutes for this part
- Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks
- Multiple choice, choose multiple answers
- Re-order paragraphs
- Reading: Fill in the blanks
- Multiple choice, choose single answer
Part 3 consists of questions that are based on audio or video clips which begin to play automatically. You hear each audio or video clip only once so listen carefully. You are allowed to take notes. You will have about 45–57 minutes for this part.
For each question you have the opportunity to adjust the volume. While the audio clip is playing, move the control bar to the right to increase the volume or to the left to decrease the volume.
- Summarize spoken text
- Multiple choice, choose multiple answer
- Fill in the blanks
- Highlight correct summary
- Multiple choice, choose single answer
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation