PTE Academic syllabus

English test on a computer, about two hours, in three parts. Scored 10 to 90, mostly by automated scoring.

Part 1: Speaking and Writing

10 question types, including an unscored personal introduction · 76 to 84 minutes

Spoken answers are recorded. Each spoken task has a short window to answer, for example 40 seconds to describe an image.

  • Personal Introduction (not scored)
  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat Sentence
  • Describe Image
  • Retell Lecture
  • Answer Short Question
  • Summarize Group Discussion (from August 2025)
  • Respond to a Situation (from August 2025)
  • Summarize Written Text (10 minutes)
  • Write Essay (20 minutes)

Part 2: Reading

5 question types · 23 to 30 minutes

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers loses marks for wrong choices.

  • Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)
  • Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
  • Reorder Paragraph
  • Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)
  • Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Part 3: Listening

8 question types · 31 to 39 minutes

Each recording is heard once.

  • Summarize Spoken Text
  • Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
  • Fill in the Blanks (type in)
  • Highlight Correct Summary
  • Multiple Choice, Single Answer
  • Select Missing Word
  • Highlight Incorrect Words
  • Write from Dictation