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Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jul 1, 2024
PTE Academic Exam Pattern Highlights
- Acceptance: PTE academic test is accepted by over 3,500 university migration authorities in Australia and New Zealand.
- Test Taking Options: You can choose to take PTE academic test online or opt for test center options.
- Questions Format: You will be allocated 2 hours to answer 53–74 questions.
- Results: PTE academic exam results are available within 48 hours after your exam. The minimum score requirements vary by program, and sending scores to universities is completely free.
To study at a university globally or for migration, you need to prove your English proficiency level. PTE academic exam pattern tested your English writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills. More than 3,500 universities, Australia, and New Zealand migration authorities accept PTE academic exam scores. The U.S. State Boards of Nursing for work visas also recognized PTE academic test. If you plan to move to Canada or the UK, you must register for PTE Core or PTE UK visa tests accordingly. PTE academic exam pattern is divided into 3 sections, and each section is scored on a 10-90 scale. You can take PTE academic online test at home or register for a test center. You need to answer an average of 53 to 74 questions within 2 hours of test duration.
PTE Academic Syllabus
PTE academic syllabus contains 20 different question types divided into three sections. The speaking and writing, reading, and listening sections consist of a total of 53 to 74 questions. Pearson’s official website offers a detailed guide to every question pattern of PTE exam including videos, tips, and best strategies. PTE academic preparation can be done through the official website or from other reputed preparation institutes.
| Exam Section | Task | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking and Writing | Personal Introduction Read Aloud | 54–67 Minutes |
| Reading | Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | 29–30 Minutes |
| Listening | Summarize Spoken Text Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 30–43 Minutes |
Section Wise PTE Academic Exam Pattern
PTE pattern for academics is designed for students who want to study abroad or migrate to Australia, and New Zealand. PTE academic test pattern is divided into 3 parts; speaking and writing, reading and listening. Take PTE academic mock tests regularly to understand the exam format and question types.
PTE Academic Exam Pattern for Speaking and Writing
The speaking and writing section is the first part of PTE academic exam pattern. With a total time duration of 54–67 minutes, PTE speaking and writing section includes 28–36 questions. Based on the following table, you can understand the number of questions for each task in PTE Speaking and Writing.
| Tasks | No of Questions | Duration for Each 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 |
| Retell lecture | 1-2 | 90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare, and 40 seconds to answer |
| Describe Image | 3-4 | 25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
| 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 a text prompt of 300 words |
| Essay | 1-2 | 20 minutes to answer a text prompt of 2–3 sentences |
| Total Questions | 28-36 | 54–67 minutes |
PTE Academic Exam Pattern for Reading
Reading questions of PTE academic pattern include fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice, and re-order paragraphs. As per PTE questions pattern, you need to respond to 13–18 questions in this section within 29–30 minutes. Check the table mentioned below to understand PTE reading question types and task durations:
| Tasks | No Of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fill in the blanks-Reading and Writing | 5-6 | 300 words of text for reading |
| Multiple Choice Questions for multiple answers | 1-2 | 300 words of text for reading |
| Re-order paragraph | 2-3 | 300 words of text for reading |
| Fill in the blanks-Reading | 4-5 | 300 words of text for reading |
| Multiple Choice Questions for multiple answers | 1-2 | 300 words of text for reading |
| Total Questions | 13-18 | 29–30 minutes |
PTE Academic Exam Pattern for Listening
PTE Listening is the last section in the exam format, which includes a total of 8 tasks. PTE listening is allotted a time duration of 30–43 minutes. Some tasks of the listening PTE academic exam also evaluate a candidate's reading and writing skills.
| Tasks | No of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize spoken text | 1-2 | 60–90 seconds to retain 50–70 words, 10 minutes for writing |
| Multiple-choice questions with multiple answers | 1-2 | 40–90 seconds to 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 Academic Results for Studying
Your PTE academic results will be available within 48 hours after your test date. You will receive a detailed result in the score report with the skills profile. PTE academic test uses an automated scoring method. The total PTE score ranges from 10 to 90 scale, and a 70+ score is recommended for top-ranked universities. The US State Board of Nursing also accepts PTE academic results. You can refer to the list below to check the minimum score requirements for different courses:
- Foundation Courses: Minimum score of between 36-50
- Undergraduate Degrees: Minimum score of between 51-60
- Postgraduate Degrees: Minimum score of between 57-67
PTE Academic Score for Top Ranked Universities
PTE score is accepted by more than 3,500 universities globally. While other English proficiency tests charge to send the additional scores, sending PTE scores to universities is completely free. Most of the top-ranked universities accept PTE score reports for their admission process. Effective PTE academic test preparation includes taking practice tests, reading books, or joining a coaching class. Joining PTE academic online courses will boost your scores through their structured learning and expert mentorship.
| University | Qs Rank 2025 | Average Score Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 70+ |
| University of Oxford | 3 | 76 |
| Harvard University | 4 | 75+ |
| Stanford University | 6 | 68+ |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | 8 | 62 |
| University College London | 9 | 75+ |
| The University of Melbourne | 13 | 64+ |
| Cornell University | 16 | 70+ |
| The University of Sydney | 18 | 68+ |
| The University of New South Wales | 19 | 65+ |
Having a better understanding of PTE academic exam pattern is important to achieve a higher score. Aim to take PTE academic practice tests regularly from the official website or reputed prep organizations. PTE academic official practice courses offer updated books, mock tests under timed conditions, and expert guidance. Aim to achieve a minimum score of 65 in each section for a successful admission process.
FAQs
Ques: What is the pattern of PTE exam?
Ans: PTE exam pattern consists of 20 different types of questions divided into 3 sections. You will be allocated 2 hours to answer 53 to 74 questions. Check the official website to understand the questions and the syllabus in detail.
Ques: What is the structure of PTE Academic course?
Ans: PTE academic course is divided into three sections; reading, listening, speaking, and writing section. You will be allocated 54–67 minutes for speaking and writing, 29–30 minutes for reading, and30–43 minutes for the listening section.
Ques: How many questions are there in PTE Academic exam?
Ans: PTE Academic exam consists of a total of 53 to 74 questions divided into 3 sections. You will face a total of 20 different types of questions and will be allocated 2 hours to answer them.
Ques: How can I pass PTE in first attempt?
Ans: Candidates with a good academic background and a good grasp of the English language can easily achieve a good PTE score in their first attempt. Take regular practice tests and prepare through the official study materials for a better score.
Ques: Is PTE harder than IELTS?
Ans: PTE and IELTS both are English language proficiency tests and are accepted by top universities and migration authorities globally. The difficulty level of both tests varies by individual. Most of the tests evaluate your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
*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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