How PTE Academic works
Three parts, about two hours, all on a computer.
12 minutes · A free lesson from Start here
PTE Academic is taken on a computer at a test centre and lasts about two hours. Every answer is scored by computer. There are three parts:
| Part | What is in it | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Speaking & Writing | a personal introduction, Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation, Summarize Written Text, Essay | about 55–70 minutes |
| 2. Reading | fill in the blanks (two kinds), multiple choice, Re-order Paragraphs | about 30 minutes |
| 3. Listening | Summarize Spoken Text, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, summaries, missing words, incorrect words, dictation | about 30–45 minutes |
The number of tasks of each type, and the exact timings, can vary from one test to another.
Quick check: How long does PTE Academic take, roughly?
- About one hour
- About two hours
- About three hours
Show the answer
B: About two hours
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: How is PTE Academic scored?
- By an examiner in the room
- By two teachers marking by hand
- Every answer is scored by computer
Show the answer
C: Every answer is scored by computer — The whole test is taken on a computer at a test centre.
Quick check: Which task scores both speaking and listening?
- Repeat Sentence
- Essay
- Re-order Paragraphs
Show the answer
A: Repeat Sentence — Many tasks are integrated: one answer counts towards two skills.
Quick check: Which task scores both writing and reading?
- Read Aloud
- Summarize Written Text
- Describe Image
Show the answer
B: Summarize Written Text — Read Aloud scores speaking and reading. Describe Image is a speaking task.
Quick check: Which part comes first?
- Speaking & Writing
- Reading
- Listening
Show the answer
A: Speaking & Writing — Speaking & Writing, then Reading, then Listening.