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The pattern of PTE exam consists of 3 sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. The new PTE exam pattern was updated on August 7, 2025, with key changes in the Speaking & Writing section and scoring.
Key changes include the addition of 2 new question types: “Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation”, each with 2-3 questions. The total number of questions has been reduced to 52-64 from the earlier 70-82, while the exam duration remains 2 hours. The content part of your answers will now be scored by both AI and human experts. In case of conflict, a second human will make the final decision. Essay writing will also receive an expert review on structure, clarity, and language use.
PTE Academic is accepted by over 3,900 universities in English-speaking countries like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Universities use the PTE academic syllabus and test scores to determine eligibility for undergraduate and graduate programs.
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In this article, we will discuss the Pearson PTE exam pattern, the PTE Academic test pattern, the PTE test syllabus, and sample papers.
PTE Academic Exam Pattern 2025
The pattern of PTE exam is designed to test all 4 English communication skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The PTE full pattern is divided into 3 sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening, and lasts 2 hours.
| Section | Number of Questions | Types of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 28 - 36 | Retell lecture, essay writing, read aloud, etc. Respond to a Situation and Summarize Group Discussion are new. | 54 - 67 minutes |
| Reading | 13 - 18 | Fill in the blanks, multiple-choice, reordering, etc. | 29 - 30 minutes |
| Listening | 12 - 20 | Write from discussion, summarize spoken text, multiple-choice, etc. | 30 - 43 minutes |
This new pattern of PTE exam focuses on both skill and time management, helping students adapt to real academic tasks.
PTE Academic Speaking & Writing
The PTE academic test pattern for Speaking & Writing starts with a personal introduction (not scored) and includes 10 types of questions, including 2 new ones: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. The total questions are 28-36.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed | Time to Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | This helps you get used to the PTE test system and prepare for speaking and listening tasks. | Not scored | 30 seconds |
| Read Aloud | A text appears on the screen, and you have to read it out loud. | Speaking | Varies by item, depending on the length of text. |
| Repeat Sentence | You hear a sentence and then say it exactly the same way. | Listening and speaking | 15 seconds |
| Describe Image | You see a picture and talk about what you see in detail. | Speaking | 40 seconds |
| Retell Lecture | You listen to or watch a lecture, then explain it in your own words. | Listening and speaking | 40 seconds |
| Answer Short Question | You hear a question and give a short answer (one or a few words). | Listening | 10 seconds |
| Summarize Group Discussion *New | You listen to a talk between 3 people and then explain the main points in your own words. | Listening and Speaking | 2 minutes |
| Respond to a Situation *New | You hear and read about a situation, then give a detailed spoken answer. | Speaking | 40 seconds |
| Summarize Written Text | You read a passage and write one sentence that sums it up. | Reading and writing | 10 minutes |
| Write Essay | Write an essay of 200-300 words on a given topic. | Writing | 20 minutes |
Must Read: PTE New Updates
Check out PTE Speaking & Writing sample papers 2025 for practice.
PTE Academic Reading
The PTE paper pattern for Reading contains 5 question types, totaling 13-18 questions, taking 29-30 minutes.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) | You see a passage with missing words. Choose the right word from the dropdown list for each blank. | Reading |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Read a passage and choose more than one correct answer to a question about it. | Reading |
| Reorder Paragraphs | The sentences or paragraphs are mixed up. Arrange them in the right order. | Reading |
| Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop) | You see a passage with blanks and a list of words. Drag the correct words into the blanks. | Reading |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Read a passage and choose one correct answer to a question about it. | Reading |
Refer to PTE Reading sample papers 2025 for practice.
PTE Academic Listening
The PTE pattern for academic Listening section has 8 question types with 12-20 questions. Audio/video clips play once automatically.
| Question Type | Explanation | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | Listen to a recording and write a short summary (50–70 words). | Listening and writing |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Listen to a recording and choose all the correct answers. | Listening |
| Fill in the Blanks (Type In) | Listen to a recording and type the missing words in the text. | Listening |
| Highlight Correct Summary | Listen to a recording and pick the paragraph that best matches it. | Listening and reading |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Listen to a recording and choose one correct answer. | Listening |
| Select Missing Word | Listen to a recording and pick the word that completes it. | Listening |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | Listen and find the words in the text that are different from what you hear. | Listening and reading |
| Write from Dictation | Listen to a sentence and type exactly what you hear. | Listening and writing |
PTE Listening sample papers 2025 are available for practice.
PTE Academic Results
PTE Academic results are typically available within 48 hours after your test. You will get a detailed score report with your skill breakdown. The test is scored automatically. The total PTE score ranges between 10 and 90, and a score of 70 or higher is usually needed for top universities. The typical minimum PTE score required for the various degree levels is:
- Foundation Courses: Minimum score of between 36-50
- Undergraduate Degrees: Minimum score of between 51-60
- Postgraduate Degrees: Minimum score of between 57-67
Also Check: PTE Score Report
PTE Academic Minimum Score for Top Universities
PTE scores are accepted by over 3,900 universities worldwide, including top ones like MIT, Oxford, and Harvard. Unlike other English language proficiency tests, sending PTE scores to universities is free. Below is a list of top universities abroad accepting PTE with the scores.
| University | QS World University Ranking 2026 | Average PTE Score Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | #1 | 70 |
| Imperial College London | #2 | 69 |
| Stanford University | #3 | 68 |
| University of Oxford | #4 | 76 |
| Harvard University | #5 | 75 |
| National University of Singapore | #8 | 62 |
| University College London | #9 | 75 |
| California Institute of Technology | #10 | 100 |
| The University of Hong Kong | #11 | 64 |
| Nanyang Technological University | #12 | 55 |
| University of Chicago | #13 | 70 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #15 | 68 |
| Cornell University | #16 | 70 |
| UC Berkeley | #17 | 46 |
| University of Melbourne | #19 | 65 |
| University of New South Wales | #20 | 65 |
Also Read
PTE Academic Preparation Tips
The new pattern of PTE exam requires targeted preparation. Follow these tips to succeed:
- Understand the PTE exam format: Know all sections: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
- Practice time management: Each section has a strict time limit.
- Improve English skills daily: Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
- Use PTE mock tests: Simulate real exam conditions using the PTE questions pattern.
- Focus on weaker areas: Spend more time on sections you struggle with.
- Learn common PTE question types: Such as Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, and Fill in the Blanks.
- Listen to English daily: Watch videos, podcasts, or news to improve listening skills.
- Speak clearly and fluently: Record yourself and correct pronunciation mistakes.
- Time your writing practice: Write essays and summaries within the word limit and time frame.
- Stay calm on exam day: Relax, read instructions carefully, and manage stress.
Also Read
The PTE Academic exam 2025, with its new PTE exam pattern, tests all 4 English skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening, through a carefully structured format. The inclusion of new question types and expert-reviewed scoring ensures a fair and comprehensive assessment. By understanding the PTE full pattern, practicing sample papers, and following a targeted preparation strategy, candidates can improve their performance and achieve scores accepted by top universities worldwide.
FAQs
Ques. What is the new pattern of PTE exam 2025?
Ans. The new PTE exam pattern has 3 sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening, with 52-64 questions and new tasks like Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation.
Ques. How long is the PTE Academic test?
Ans. The PTE full pattern duration is 2 hours for all sections combined.
Ques. How is the Speaking & Writing section scored?
Ans. Answers are scored by AI and human experts. Essays also get expert review for structure, clarity, and language.
Ques. How many universities accept PTE Academic?
Ans. Over 3,900 universities worldwide, including top ones like MIT, Oxford, and Harvard, accept PTE scores.
Ques. What is the minimum PTE score for top universities?
Ans. Most top universities require a score between 70-76 for admission, depending on the program.
Ques. Where can I find PTE sample papers?
Ans. Sample papers for Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening are available online and can help simulate real exam practice.
*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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