Jan 7, 2025
Exam
10 mins read

PTE Exam Pattern: Test Format & Marking Scheme (Section Wise)

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a popular test for English language skills. It is meant for people who want to study or move to places where English is the main language. The PTE exam has 20 distinct question types that assess applicants' speaking and writing abilities (54–67 minutes), reading comprehension (29–30 minutes), and listening comprehension (30–43 minutes) in preparation for studying overseas. The PTE exam pattern checks how well you can understand and use English in school settings. It looks at your overall language proficiency.

Key Highlights

  • The PTE Academic exam tests your skills in Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening for academic English.
  • It has three main parts: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.
  • The exam lasts for two hours and takes place in one session. You can take it at testing centers or through Home Edition.
  • PTE scores are good for two years and are accepted by many schools and colleges around the world.
  • The test includes 20 different question types, like multiple-choice questions, writing essays, and speaking tasks.

Understanding the PTE Exam Pattern 2025

The PTE Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to test your English language skills thoroughly. It has three main sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. Each part checks how well you understand and use English in different academic situations.

The PTE exam is computer-based and uses automatic scoring systems. This means that grading is fair and the same for everyone. Knowing the exam pattern is important for getting ready. It helps you understand the types of questions, manage your time well, and know the skills being tested.

Overview of the PTE Test Format

The PTE Academic exam is a test you take on a computer. Everything you do, from answering questions to getting your scores, happens digitally. You will use a computer screen and a headset for speaking and listening parts of the test.

The test is designed to show how you would use English in a school setting. It includes tasks that resemble situations you might face while studying. This could be summarizing lectures, writing essays, or understanding academic texts.

This setup keeps things fair and efficient. It helps to standardize how the test is given and allows for faster reporting of scores.

Key Changes in the 2025 Exam Pattern

The PTE exam's main structure stays the same, but there are small changes now and then to make the test better and more relevant. Right now, no big news has come out about a new exam pattern for 2025.

It's a good idea to check the official PTE website for the latest updates and news as your exam date gets closer.

Pearson, the group that runs the exam, may change the types of questions, update time limits, or make other changes to improve the way they check the skills of those taking the test.

Detailed Section-Wise Breakdown

Let's look closely at each part of the PTE exam pattern. This way, we can see the skills it tests and what types of questions you will face. Understanding this breakdown can help you plan your study better. You can focus on the areas where you may need more practice.

Speaking and Writing Section

The Speaking and Writing section tests your spoken and written English language skills. This part is the longest, lasting from 54 to 67 minutes. You will do seven different tasks, with each one looking at a specific part of communication.

PTE Speaking and Writing Section Question TopicsPTE Questions per taskDuration per task
Personal introduction155 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record
Read Aloud6 - 730-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words
Repeat sentence10 - 1215 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record
Describe image3 - 425 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same
Retell lecture1 - 290 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to answer
Answer short question5 - 620 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer
Summarize written text1 - 210 minutes to answer the text prompt of 300 words
Write Essay1 - 220 minutes to answer to the text prompt of 2-3 sentences
Total Questions28 - 36Time Allocation: 54 - 67 minutes

These tasks are: reading aloud, repeating sentences, describing images, retelling lectures, answering short questions, summarizing written text, and writing essays. This section checks your fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and how well you express your ideas in both spoken and written English.

Reading Section

The Reading section checks how well you understand and analyze written English. You will have 29 to 30 minutes to answer five different question types.

These question types include multiple-choice questions with one or more answers, re-ordering paragraphs, and filling in the blanks. The texts you will read can be short excerpts or longer pieces, covering many topics and styles.

PTE Reading Section Question TopicsPTE Questions per taskDuration per task
Fill in the blanks –reading & writing5 - 6Read 300 words of text
Multiple choice, multiple answers1 - 2Read 300 words of text
Re-order paragraph2 - 3Read 150 words of text
Fill in the blanks –reading4 - 5Read 80 words of text
Multiple-choice, single answer1 - 2Read 300 words of text
Total Questions13 - 18Time Allocation - 29 - 30 minutes

Listening Section

Lastly, the Listening section tests how well you understand spoken English in different accents and situations. This part lasts between 30 to 43 minutes and has eight different question types.

You will hear audio recordings, and you need to answer questions about what you listen to. The question types include summarizing spoken text, multiple-choice questions, filling in the blanks, highlighting correct or incorrect summaries, selecting missing words, and writing from dictation.

PTE Listening Section Question TopicsPTE Questions per taskDuration per task
Summarize spoken text1 - 260-90 seconds to retain  50-70 words, 10 minutes to write
Multiple choice, multiple answers1 - 240-90 seconds for prompt
Fill in the blanks2 - 330-60 seconds
Highlight correct summary1 - 230-90 seconds
Multiple-choice, single answer1 - 230-60 seconds
Select missing word1 - 220-70 seconds
Highlight incorrect word2 - 315-50 seconds
Write from Dictation3 - 43-5 seconds
Total Questions12 - 20Time Allocation: 30 - 43 minutes

Scoring Criteria for Each Section

Understanding how each part is scored is very important for boosting your overall PTE score. Each part gets a score from 10 to 90. This score shows how good you are in that skill.

The scores look at different things, like how accurate you are, your fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and how well you connect your ideas. Let's take a closer look at how scoring works.

How Are Speaking and Writing Scores Calculated?

In the Speaking and Writing section, your PTE score depends on how well you do in all seven tasks. For speaking, your fluency and pronunciation matter a lot. In writing, your vocabulary, grammar, and how clearly you express your ideas count.

The automated scoring system checks your answers. It looks at things like how you use tone, stress, grammar, and if your responses make sense. To improve your score in this section, focus on speaking clearly, using correct grammar, and having a good structure in your answers.

Reading Section Scoring Methodology

Your score in the Reading section shows how well you can understand and analyze written English. It is very important to answer questions accurately. This shows that you know vocabulary, grammar, and how texts are organized.

Multiple-choice questions, re-ordering tasks, and fill-in-the-blank exercises all affect your overall Reading score. To do well in this section, focus on reading faster, understanding clues from the text, and building your vocabulary.

Listening Section: Understanding Score Allocation

The Listening section's score looks at how well you understand spoken English. It focuses on your comprehension, vocabulary, and note-taking skills. All eight types of questions you answer will impact your final score.

To get a good score, you need to find key information, understand different accents, and figure out the meaning from context. Practice listening to different audio materials. Pay attention to how things are said and work on your note-taking. This will help you do well in this section.

Preparation Tips for PTE 2025

Getting the PTE score you want takes careful planning and regular work. Here are some tips:

  • Follow a study plan.
  • Practice regularly.
  • Focus on your weak areas.
  • Take practice tests.
  • Review your mistakes.

By using these tips, you can feel more ready for the exam. This will help you do your best and increase your chances of success.

Strategies for Tackling the Speaking and Writing Section

For the Speaking and Writing section, you should work on your fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Practice speaking English often. Record yourself to see where you can get better, and talk with native speakers or good English users.

When it comes to writing, learn about different essay types. Improve your vocabulary and follow grammar rules closely. Use online tools, grammar checkers, and writing prompts to help you improve.

Techniques for Improving Reading Section Scores

To do well in the reading section, begin by working on your reading speed and understanding. Read various types of texts. Pay attention to the main ideas, find supporting details, and determine the author's purpose.

Increase your vocabulary by learning new words often and knowing how to use them in context. Get to know different question types. Practice managing your time to handle the reading section effectively.

Listening Section: Tips for Success

Improving your listening skills takes regular practice with spoken English. You can listen to podcasts, watch English movies or TV shows, and talk with native speakers. This will help you understand better and get used to different accents.

When you listen, try to take good notes so you remember important points. Pay attention to the speaker's tone, intonation, and hidden meanings. Use practice tests and online resources that provide real listening exercises.

Registration Process for PTE 2025

Registering for the PTE exam is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

Check the official website for the latest instructions and requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide to Registering for the Exam

  1. Visit the official PTE website: Go to the Pearson PTE Academic website.
  2. Create an account: If you are new, you need to make an account with your email address.
  3. Log in and select 'Schedule a Test': After you log in, go to the part for scheduling your exam.
  4. Choose your preferred test center and date: Pick a test center close to you and a date that works for your exam.
  5. Fill out the application form: Enter all personal and academic details correctly.
  6. Upload your documents: You will need to upload a scanned copy of your current passport.

Important Dates and Deadlines

While the PTE exam is offered throughout the year, it's essential to stay informed about key dates and deadlines relevant to your preferred test date and location:

EventDescription
Registration Opening DateThe date when registration for a particular exam window opens.
Registration Closing DateThe deadline for submitting your application and payment for a specific exam date.
Exam DatesThe available dates for taking the PTE Academic exam at your chosen test center. These dates are usually released a few months in advance.
Score Release DateThe approximate date when you can expect your PTE Academic score to be available online. This is generally within 2-5 business days after your test date.

Stay proactive and check the official PTE website for the most up-to-date schedule of dates and deadlines relevant to your region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing the PTE Exam Pattern 2025 is very important for doing well. If you understand the test format, main changes, section details, and how scoring works, you can prepare better for the exam. Use smart tips that fit each part of the test. This will help you do your best and try for a high score. Make sure to stay updated on how to register, important dates, and deadlines. This will help make your test experience easier. Start your journey to PTE success today!

FAQs

How can I best prepare for the Speaking and Writing sections?

To prepare for the PTE effectively, practice speaking and writing in English regularly. Work on improving your language skills. This includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. These areas will help you do better on the PTE exam pattern.