PTE Academic in 6 Steps
- Prepare — Use Smart Prep, free resources, and Gateway Abroad mocks.
- Find a seat — Check availability at pearsonpte.com.
- Book — Create myPTE account; names must match your ID exactly.
- Take the test — ~2 hours, computer-based, at a test centre.
- Receive results — Typically within 48 hours (up to 5 business days).
- Share scores — Use Score Report Code (SRC) or assign via myPTE.
Test Format (3 Parts)
PTE Academic assesses Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing through integrated tasks. You will complete 65–75 questions across 22 question types. Total time: approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
| Part | Time | Question types |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Speaking & Writing | 76–84 min | Personal Introduction*, Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation, Summarize Written Text, Write Essay |
| 2 — Reading | 23–30 min | MCQ (Single), MCQ (Multiple), Re-order Paragraphs, Reading Fill in Blanks, Reading & Writing Fill in Blanks |
| 3 — Listening | 31–39 min | Summarize Spoken Text, MCQ (Single/Multiple), Fill in Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, Write from Dictation |
*Personal Introduction is not scored — it familiarizes you with the microphone.
Scoring (10–90)
- Overall score — Based on performance across the entire test (not a simple average).
- Communicative skills — Separate scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing.
- Integrated tasks — Some questions score two skills (e.g. Repeat Sentence → Listening + Speaking).
- AI + human review — Selected tasks (Describe Image, Essay, SST, etc.) include expert content review.
PTE ↔ IELTS (approximate)
| IELTS | PTE Overall |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 47–54 |
| 6.5 | 55–62 |
| 7.0 | 63–70 |
| 7.5 | 71–78 |
| 8.0 | 79–85 |
Test Day Rules (from Handbook)
- Arrive on time with valid ID matching your myPTE registration.
- No phones, watches, notes, or food in the test room — use lockers.
- You receive an erasable whiteboard and pens (do not write before the test starts).
- No scheduled breaks — the clock does not stop.
- Audio plays once — you cannot replay clips.
- Speaking is recorded once — you cannot re-record.
- You cannot go back to previous questions.
- Speak at a normal conversational volume — other test takers speak at the same time.
Gateway Abroad Preparation Plan
- Week 1–2: Learn all 22 question types (materials above + class).
- Week 3–4: Section mocks — Speaking & Writing, then Reading & Listening.
- Week 5–6: Full timed mocks + review Skills Profile-style weak areas.
- Before exam: One Pearson Scored Practice Test (official) if possible.