PTE Exam Overview
For Indian students wanting to apply to universities or other foreign countries where English is the primary language of communication, the PTE exam is among the most reliable English proficiency assessments.
PTE scores are accepted for applications for visas to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and they are also accepted in more than 3,500 universities and colleges worldwide.
In a single two-hour session, the PTE Academic assesses a candidate’s speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension in English. The Pearson Test of English, or PTE-Academic in short, is the full name of the PTE.
What is the PTE Exam?
The Pearson Test of English is a common assessment which is used to evaluate your English language proficiency via reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Many renowned universities from all over the world accept the PTE exam as proof of English proficiency.
A high PTE score guarantees that applicants will be able to effectively communicate their ideas, give presentations, seek international exposure, and perform on the global platform in front of foreign audiences.
Candidates take it for educational purposes, and multiple English-speaking nations around the world, including Australia, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, and others, accept it.
The governments of Australia and New Zealand also accept it in exchange for work permits and immigration permits.
Types of PTE Exams
PTE Academic Exam and PTE Academic UKVI are the two categories in which PTE exams are divided. These versions of the PTE exam break down the format into sections that evaluate reading, writing, speaking, and listening, the four main English language proficiency areas.
1. PTE Academic Exam
The PTE Academic Exam is an examination involving the strict evaluation of speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities in the English language. It provides a thorough assessment in three hours.
Recognized by many of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Yale and Harvard Business School, it provides access to academic opportunities. The scoring system, which runs from 10 to 90, accurately represents the levels of language proficiency for each of the tested skills and offers a reliable evaluation for visa and educational purposes. The time taken is approximately two hours
2. PTE Academic UKVI
PTE Academic UKVI is a specialised English language test for people who want to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom. It is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that verifies candidates meet the language requirements needed to be eligible for a foreign visa.
With scores ranging from 10 to 90, the exam has the same format as the PTE Academic.
Specifically designed for applications for UK visas
PTE Academic Scores range from 10 to 90 in this pattern alignment.
Ensures language competence for those wishing to live, work, or study abroad.
PTE Exam Pattern
A high PTE score assures that applicants will be able to effectively communicate their ideas, give presentations, seek international exposure, and perform on the global stage in front of foreign audiences.
The Academic version of the PTE exam lasts for two hours and fifteen minutes.
The PTE General version lasts anywhere from one hour and fifteen minutes to two hours and fifty-five minutes.
1. PTE Exam Pattern: Speaking and Writing
In the Speaking and Writing section of the PTE Exam, the candidates are tested in this section on their spoken and written communication skills—the two main communication skills.
The entire section has been given a time allotment of 54 – 67 minutes, with the following times allocated to each segment:
| PTE Speaking and Writing Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task | Duration per task |
| Personal introduction | 1 | 55 seconds: 25 seconds for answer, 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 answer, 15 seconds to record |
| Describe image | 3 – 4 | 25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
| Retell lecture | 1 – 2 | 10 to get ready, 40 seconds to respond, and 90 seconds for the answer. |
| Answer short question | 5 – 6 | 20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for answer, 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarize written text | 1 – 2 | 10 minutes to answer to text answer of 300 words |
| Write Essay | 1 – 2 | 20 minutes to answer to text answer of 2-3 sentences |
| Total Questions | 28 – 36 | Time Allocation: 54 – 67 minutes |
PTE Exam Pattern: Reading and Listening
PTE Reading Format:
The candidates’ comprehension of written instructions in the English language is tested in this section. It is broken up into five parts and lasts between 29 and 30 minutes.
| PTE Reading Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task | Duration task-wise |
| Fill in the blanks –reading & writing | 5 – 6 | Read 300 words of text |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers | 1 – 2 | Read 300 words of text |
| Re-order paragraph | 2 – 3 | Read 150 words of text |
| Fill in the blanks –reading | 4 – 5 | Read 80 words of text |
| Multiple-choice, single answer | 1 – 2 | Read 300 words of text |
| Total Questions | 13 – 18 | Time Allocation – 29 – 30 minutes |
PTE Listening Format:
The PTE Academic’s listening portion lasts between thirty and forty-three minutes. This one is meant to ascertain the candidate’s comprehension of spoken English.
| PTE Listening Section Question Topics | PTE Questions per task | Duration task-wise |
| Summarize spoken text | 1 – 2 | 60-90 seconds to retain 50-70 words, 10 minutes to write |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers | 1 – 2 | 40-90 seconds for answer |
| 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 Exam Format for General Test
There are two sections to the test: a writing section and a speaking section. It evaluates your proficiency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
The PTE General exam has six proficiency levels, ranging from basic (A1) to advanced (Level 5).
| Level | Duration | Explanation |
| Foundation Level | 1 hour 15 minutes | Suitable for beginners, it assesses speaking and writing abilities |
| Level 1 | 1 hour 35 minutes | Suitable for beginners, it assesses speaking and writing abilities |
| Level 2 | 1 hour 35 minutes | Ideal for intermediate candidates, as it assesses both speaking and writing abilities |
| Level 3 | 2 hours | Ideal for intermediate candidates, as it assesses both speaking and writing abilities |
| Level 4 | 2 hours 30 minutes | Suitable for applicants pursuing higher education, it assesses speaking and writing abilities. |
| Level 5 | 2 hours 55 minutes | Suitable for applicants pursuing higher education, it assesses speaking and writing abilities. |
PTE Exam Fee
The PTE exam costs for Indian students have been updated by the Pearson PLC Group.
| PTE Exams | PTE Exam Fees 2024 |
| PTE Academic | INR 17,000 |
| PTE Academic Online | INR 17,000 |
| PTE Academic UKVI | INR 17,000 |
| PTE Home A1 | INR 14,435 |
| PTE Home A2 | INR 14,435 |
| PTE Home B1 | INR 14,435 |
The PTE Exam Result
After the test day, PTE results usually become accessible online in two working days. You can access them through your student account on PTE Academic. A PTE score of 65 is often required to be eligible for scholarships, but a score of 70 or higher can greatly improve your application. Every university has its own standards, so it’s important to look into the particulars.
The PTE Exam Test Center
In order to maximize their performance on exam day, candidates are reminded to select the PTE test center that is most convenient for them. Here is the list of cities that have exam centres.
- Ahmedabad
- Bangalore
- Chandigarh
- Delhi/ New Delhi
- Kerala (Cochin)
- TamilNadu (Coimbatore)
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Mumbai
- Ludhiana
- Kolkata
- Noida
- Patiala
- Pune
- Rajkot
- Vadodara
- Vijayawada
- Nagpur
- Haryana
How to Apply for PTE 2024?
In order to successfully reserve their PTE exam slot, candidates who wish to register for the Pearson PTE exam 2024 must follow the instructions listed below.
Candidates should be aware that a valid ID, such as a valid Indian passport, is required in order to schedule their PTE Academic online.
On the day of the exam, candidates must present a valid ID; failing to do so will prevent them from entering the testing facility.
- Go to PTE Academic’s official website.
- Enter your personal information to create a Pearson account.
- Pearson will send you an email containing your login information 48 hours after you finish the PTE registration process.
- Finding the PTE test location closest to you is the next step.
- At this stage, candidates can also choose to take the PTE Academic Online.
- Choose a time and date that works for you to take the PTE exam.
- You will be prompted to select the checkout button once you have chosen all of your information, including the time, date, and PTE slot.
- Next, complete your PTE exam booking by paying the INR 17,000 exam fee.
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