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PTE exam pattern is different for the 3 categories of the exam: PTE Academic, PTE Core, and PTE UKVI (which includes PTE Home A1, A2, and B1). The PTE Academic test lasts for 2 hours and checks the 4 key English skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening, in academic settings. The PTE Core follows a similar structure but is designed for Canadian immigration and has fewer question types, replacing Write Essay with Write Email. The PTE UKVI exams are used for UK visa and immigration purposes, and their format depends on the visa type, with shorter tests like PTE Home A1, A2, and B1 focusing mainly on speaking and listening skills.
Pearson has updated the PTE exam pattern for the Academic test. 2 new question types, “Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation”, with 2-3 questions each, have been added to the Speaking & Writing section. This takes the total number of question types in the section from 8 to 10. However, the total number of questions has been reduced to 52-64 from 70-82, while the duration of the exam remains the same at 2 hours. Another major change has been made in the scoring system. The exam now uses both AI and human scoring for fairer evaluation, focusing more on real-life communication and writing quality.
Read the full update here: PTE New Updates 2025
In this article, you’ll find a detailed overview of the latest PTE Exam Pattern 2025, including section-wise formats, updated question types, and links to PTE practice papers to help you prepare effectively.
PTE Academic Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates need to start their PTE preparation by knowing about the PTE Academic exam pattern first. The table below gives the exam structure for PTE Academic.
| Section | Duration |
|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 54 – 67 minutes |
| Reading | 29 – 30 minutes |
| Listening | 30 – 43 minutes |
| Total Duration | 2 hours |
| Medium | Computer-based with headset |
| Mode | Test centre / Home Edition |
| Test Type | Assesses real-life communication in English in academic settings |
| Question Types | 22 different types |
The image below lists all the section-wise question types in the PTE Academic exam pattern. It is always helpful for a candidate to take a mock test to properly understand the pattern.
PTE Speaking & Writing
The PTE Speaking & Writing section begins with a personal introduction, which is not scored but is shared with universities. This section has 10 question types, including 2 new ones: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. There are 28-36 questions in total, with some timed by task (like Repeat Sentence) and others by text length (like Read Aloud). The full section lasts 54-67 minutes.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed | Time to Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | Only to get familiar with the PTE exam technology and prepare for the next questions. | Not scored | 30 seconds |
| Read Aloud | Read the text that appears on the screen aloud. | Speaking | Varies by item, depending on the length of text. |
| Repeat Sentence | Repeat the sentence from a recording. | Listening and speaking | 15 seconds |
| Describe Image | Describe the image that appears on the screen in detail. | Speaking | 40 seconds |
| Retell Lecture | Retell a lecture in your own words. | Listening and speaking | 40 seconds |
| Answer Short Question | Answer a question with a single word or a few words. | Listening | 10 seconds |
| Summarize Group *New | Summarize a discussion among 3 people in your own words. | Listening and Speaking | 2 minutes |
| Respond to a Situation *New | Answer a question about a given situation with an extended response. | Speaking | 40 seconds |
| Summarize Written Text | Write a one-sentence summary of a given text. | Reading and writing | 10 minutes |
| Write Essay | Write a 200 to 300-word essay on a given topic. | Writing | 20 minutes |
PTE Speaking & Writing Practice Papers
You can improve your speaking skills through practicing PTE speaking practice papers, which are mentioned below:
You must solve PTE writing papers to improve your skills and speed.
PTE Reading
The PTE Reading section has 5 types of questions. One type, “Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks,” also tests your writing skills. There are usually 13-18 questions in this section. You don’t have a fixed time for each question type, but the whole section lasts about 29-30 minutes. The table below shows the different question types in the PTE Reading test.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) | Choose words from a dropdown menu to fill in the gaps in a text. | Reading |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of a text. | Reading |
| Reorder Paragraphs | Put the text boxes in the correct order to form a meaningful text. | Reading |
| Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop) | Drag words from a box to fill the gaps in a given text. | Reading |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Answer a multiple-choice question on a given text by selecting one response. | Reading |
Practicing PTE Reading practice papers can help you improve your reading speed and accuracy.
PTE Listening
The PTE Listening section has 8 types of questions, with 12-20 questions in total. The questions come from audio or video clips that play automatically, and you hear each clip only once. You can take notes. There is no fixed time for each question type, but the whole section lasts about 30-43 minutes. The table below shows the different question types in the PTE Listening test.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | Write a 50 to 70-word summary of a recording. | Listening and writing |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of a recording by selecting more than one response. | Listening |
| Fill in the Blanks (Type In) | After listening to a recording, type the missing word in each gap of its transcript. | Listening |
| Highlight Correct Summary | Select the paragraph that best summarizes a recording. | Listening and reading |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Answer a multiple-choice question on a recording by selecting one response. | Listening |
| Select Missing Word | Select the missing word that completes a recording from a list of options. | Listening |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | While listening to a recording, identify the words in its transcript that differ from what is said. | Listening and reading |
| Write from Dictation | Type the sentence in a recording. | Listening and writing |
PTE Listening Practice Papers
Check out the PTE listening practice papers below.
PTE Core Exam Pattern
PTE Core is made for Canadian immigration, citizenship, and work visa applications. Its exam pattern is slightly different from PTE Academic.
- Speaking & Writing has 8 question types instead of 10, and includes Write Email instead of Write Essay.
- Listening has 7 sections instead of 8, and Highlight Correct Summary is not present.
The table below shows these key differences between the 2 versions.
| Section | PTE Core exam pattern | PTE Academic exam pattern | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 8 question types | 10 question types | Retell Lecture - not present Summarize Group - not present Write Email instead of Write Essay |
| Reading | 5 question types | 5 question types | No variations |
| Listening | 7 question types | 8 question types | Highlight Correct Summary - not present |
Must Read
PTE Score to CLB Level Conversion
If you take PTE Core for a Canadian visa, you will be asked for your Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level in one or more language skills. CLB is the standard used to measure and recognize the language ability of adults who want to live and work in Canada.
| CLB Level | PTE Listening | PTE Reading | PTE Speaking | PTE Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89-90 | 88-90 | 89-90 | 90 |
| 9 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 84-88 | 88-89 |
| 8 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 76-83 | 79-87 |
| 7 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 68-75 | 69-78 |
| 6 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 59-67 | 60-68 |
| 5 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-58 | 51-59 |
| 4 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 42-50 | 41-40 |
| 3 | 18-27 | 24-32 | 34-41 | 32-40 |
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PTE for UK Visa (UKVI)
PTE UKVI is a Secure English Language Paper (SELT) accepted by the UK government for visa applications. PTE UKVI Academic is accepted for a UK student visa, while the PTE Home tests are accepted for work or immigration purposes. The table below gives a detailed account of the purposes of the different PTE tests for UK.
| PTE UKVI Test Category | Purpose |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic UKVI | Student visa for below degree level studies, skilled worker, startup, innovator, and Minister of Religion visas. |
| PTE Home A1 | Spousal, parent of a dependent, representative of an overseas business, or sportsperson visas. |
| PTE Home A2 | Extend spousal and parent visas. |
| PTE Home B1 | Indefinite stay and citizenship of the UK. |
PTE UKVI exam pattern is not divided into sections, and its question types vary. The pattern of each exam category varies, as mentioned in the table below:
| Exam Category | Question Types | Duration | Fees in India |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic UKVI | Speaking and Writing, Reading, Listening | 2 hours | ₹18,000 |
| PTE Home A1 | Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Conversation: Listen and Answer | 22 minutes | ₹15,824 |
| PTE Home A2 | Repeat Sentence, Describe an Image, Retell Story | 25 minutes | ₹15,824 |
| PTE Home B1 | Repeat Sentence, Describe an Image, Retell Story, Story: Listen and Answer | 22 minutes | ₹15,824 |
How is PTE Scored?
PTE score ranges from 10 to 90, with higher scores indicating better proficiency in English. Universities and immigration authorities set their own PTE score requirements based on their specific needs.
| PTE Score Range | Description | Acceptance at Universities Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 85-90 |
| Rarely required, as most institutions do not demand such high scores |
| 76-84 |
| Top universities have such high cut-offs; not typically required for undergraduate admissions |
| 59-75 |
| Commonly required for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions |
| 43-58 |
| Generally required for undergraduate admissions |
| 30-42 |
| Low score for admission to universities |
| 10-29 |
| Extremely low for admissions to universities |
Note: PTE scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.
PTE Registration 2025
Registering for the PTE exam is a straightforward process:
- Visit the Official PTE Website: Navigate to Pearson PTE Academic (www.pearsonpte.com/) to start your registration.
- Create an Account: Provide your personal details and create a login.
- Select Test Type and Location: Choose between Test Centre or Home Edition based on your preference.
- Choose a Date: Select from the available test dates at your preferred test centre.
- Make Payment: Complete the registration by paying the exam fee online.
- Confirmation: Receive your test confirmation via email.
Note: Ensure that all information provided is accurate to avoid any issues on the test day.
Important Articles to Read
PTE Preparation Tips
Preparing for the PTE exam requires a clear understanding of the test format, consistent practice, and focused improvement in all 4 English skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Using official Pearson resources and structured practice can help maximize your score.
- Familiarize yourself with the PTE exam pattern, question types, and timing.
- Set a target score based on your university or visa requirements.
- Use official Pearson study guides, practice papers, and the PTE app for accurate preparation.
- Practice each section separately to strengthen weak areas and improve speed.
- Take full-length timed mock tests to simulate the real exam environment.
- Review mistakes carefully and learn from model answers to improve accuracy.
- Focus on clear communication, proper grammar, pronunciation, and writing structure.
- Maintain a consistent study schedule and ensure readiness for test day.
Read More: PTE Preparation Tips
PTE exam pattern 2025 is designed to evaluate real-life English skills across different versions of the test: Academic, Core, and UKVI. With new question types, updated scoring, and section-wise timings, understanding the pattern thoroughly and practicing with sample papers is crucial. Consistent preparation and familiarity with each section can help candidates achieve their desired scores efficiently.
FAQs
Ques: What are the tips to attempt the PTE Retell lecture?
Ans: Re-tell the lecture to assess listening and speaking skills. It can be tested by either listening to the audio or watching a video clip. The task is to retell the content of the lecture in its own words. The length of the audio/video is 90 seconds, and 10 seconds are given to prepare and 30 seconds to respond.
Ques: How can I improve my writing communication skills?
Ans: Writing involves summarizing written text and essay writing. To score high in this section, a lot of practice is required, but there are also other factors that contribute to a better score.
Ques: Will I know how much time is left?
Ans: PTE Academic assesses three sections, namely speaking and writing (together), listening, and reading. Each section is individually timed with the timer showing a countdown on the screen. So yes, you will know.
Ques: Can I correct my answers during the test?
Ans: In multiple choice questions, you can select a different answer by first deselecting the previous one, and in typed responses, you can use cut, copy, and paste options. Corrections must be made before advancing to the next sections. In spoken response, re-recording is not allowed, and the microphone automatically switches off if you pause for 3 seconds.
Ques: Will I be penalized for wrong answers?
Ans: No. There is no negative marking in the PTE exam. If the answer is correct, the assigned score for the question will be given, and if the score is 0, no score will be given.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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