PTE-A TEST FORMAT

Unlike other English language proficiency tests, PTE Academic consists of a single 3-hour test session which includes three sections: speaking and writing (together), listening and reading. There are twenty different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information.

Test Format

Part 1: Speaking & Writing
(77 – 93 minutes)

  • Personal introduction
  • Read aloud
  • Repeat sentence
  • Describe image
  • Re-tell lecture
  • Answer short question
  • Summarize written text
  • Essay (20 mins)

Part 2: Reading
(32 – 41 minutes)

  • Multiple choice, choose single answer
  • Multiple choice, choose multiple answers
  • Re-order paragraphs
  • Reading: Fill in the blanks
  • Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks

Part 3: Listening
(45 – 57 minutes)

  • Summarize spoken text
  • Multiple choice, choose multiple answer
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Highlight correct summary
  • Multiple choice, choose single answer
  • Select missing word
  • Highlight incorrect words
  • Write from dictation