PTE Online Test
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is an internationally recognized online test. It is a language exam created primarily to assess a person’s level of English proficiency if they wish to move to a country where English is spoken as their first language. PTE online test assesses the candidate’s skills through different modules: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.
Some key points of the PTE online test are:
- The conducting body of the PTE online testis Pearson.
- Worldwide PTE is accepted by 74+ countries and 3000+ institutions.
- PTE is an AI-based test conducted and evaluated only through a computer.
- proficiency in English is widely measured through Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.
- PTE score is calculated based on the Global scoring scale ranging from 10-90, where 10 is the lowest score, and 90 is the highest score
- There is no separate speaking test like there is in the IELTS, so that candidates can complete this 2-hour test in one sitting.
Types of PTE Online
The PTE online test is classified into two categories: Academic and Essential.
PTE Academic: PTE Academic is a quick test that evaluates your proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English. As we have already explained, PTE Academic is specifically intended for students who intend to study in English-speaking nations. The PTE Academic test has a two-year validity period.
PTE Essential: The new PTE Essential English language test was developed by Pearson Canada Inc. to satisfy the IRCC’s language requirements for Canadian immigration.
There is a total of three modules in the PTE online test:
Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening
- Speaking & Writing has a different timer for each question type.
- Reading and Listening sections have a collective time limit for all questions
Speaking & Writing Module
You must respond to more than one question from each module in the PTE online test because it uses various question types. Depending on the test goals, the marking guidelines for the questions also vary.
The Speaking & Writing module is approx. 54-67 minutes long and consists of 7 different question types. It is how the PTE Speaking and Writing exam is structured.
| PTE Speaking and Writing Section Question Topics | Question Format |
| Personal Introduction | 1 |
| Read Aloud | 6-7 |
| Repeat Sentence | 10-12 |
| Describe Image | 3-4 |
| Retell Lecture | 1-2 |
| Answer Short Questions | 5-6 |
| Summarize Written Text | 1-2 |
| Write an Essay | 1-2 |
| Total Questions | 28-36 |
| Total Time Allocation | 54-67 minutes |
Read Aloud: The PTE Speaking read-aloud item gauges a test-takers reading speed and fluency under time pressure. A text must be read aloud and recorded in a natural tone that captures the rhythm and punctuation of each word.
Repeat Sentence: A recorded sentence will be played for you. You have to remember that. When the audio status reads “Recording,” you must repeat the word exactly.
Describe Image: The image will be displayed on the screen to test your speaking and comprehension abilities. You have 40 seconds to respond and 25 seconds to study the image and get ready. The graphic in your response must convey the important details. The image may have graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, and maps.
Retell Lecture: The Speaking Module includes a “Retell Lecture” challenge that affects both Speaking and Listening scores. To retell the audio you heard, you must put it into your own words. After the audio ends, you have only ten seconds to prepare for the retelling.
Answer Short Question: Your complete focus is required for the Activity: Answer Short Questions. The answer must be provided in one word or a sentence. You only have one chance to record your response. No second attempt. In this case, it’s critical to understand the question being posed. There needs to be more time to take notes and review them. The questions usually focus on well-known topics.
Summarize Written Text: PTE Summarize Written text evaluates reading and writing abilities. Examinees must read a text with many paragraphs and then write a concise summary. The provided paragraph has a word count of about 300, but the summary can be at most 75 words long or fewer than five words. You have 10 minutes to respond. To create the summary, candidates can copy and paste sections of the material into the answer text box.
Essay: Write between 200 and 300 words about the assigned topic for the PTE online test. It thoroughly assesses every important writing skill and related ability. You have 20 minutes to respond. PTE strictly enforces the minimum and maximum word limits. Test item score is determined by:
- accuracy of the answer
- Structure of the response’s logic
- Keeping to word counts
- precise language use
- Practice writing on relevant topics within your allotted time and word restrictions.
Reading Module
In the PTE online test, the reading module examines a candidate’s reading skills through 5 question types. This section has no timer for each question, but there is a collective time limit of 29-30 minutes. So, you have to manage your time wisely. Now let’s talk about its structure:
| PTE Reading Section Question Topics | Question Format |
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks | 1-2 |
| Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer) | 1-2 |
| Re-Order Paragraphs | 2-3 |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | 4-5 |
| Multiple Choice (Single Answer) | 5-6 |
| Total Questions | 13-18 |
| Total Time Allocation | 29-30 minutes |
Reading & Writing Fill in The Blanks: This exam question requires test takers to fill in the blanks. There are a few empty spaces in the text that test-takers will see. There is a drop-down menu with potential answers for each blank. The test-taker must select the appropriate answers to fill in each blank.
MCQ-Multiple Answer: This type of question will likely have multiple answers. Before reading the statements, reading and properly comprehending the question prompt is the key to this exercise.
Then, candidates must locate the statement in the passage, which will either A) say the same thing or B) say something different, depending on the words used. Choose it if it says the same thing (but in different terms)!
Re-order Paragraph: Several paragraphs will be shown randomly on the left, with a blank space on the right. Drag the paragraphs from the left side into the empty area on the right side in a logical arrangement.
Reading Fill in The Blanks: The text that you see contains a few blank spaces. A list of terms might be the solutions beneath the text. The choices must be made from the pool and then dropped into the appropriate spaces. Keep in mind that there are more words in the pool than there are empty spaces. As a result, not all of the word pool’s terms will be used.
MCQ-Single Answer: Test takers will be presented with a passage. Candidates need to go through the text carefully. Below the text is a question with multiple options. Candidates must select (by clicking) only one they think is the right answer.
Listening Module: This portion aims to evaluate the candidate’s spoken English comprehension skills. The learner must closely listen to the audio file being played here and remember what they hear. It has 8 tasks, and you will get 30-43 minutes to attempt this module.
Summarize Spoken Text: Candidates must listen carefully and pay great attention to the spoken audio. Do not forget that your goal is to “LISTEN” rather than “HEAR.” You must listen carefully, comprehend what is being said, and be able to explain what you heard. Find any parallels to experiences or things you can remember as you listen. Candidates have ten minutes to summarize what they heard after the audio has ended. Keep track of the words you write because there is a 70-word limit.
MCQ-Multiple answer: A question is presented with a range of potential answers in multiple choice-multiple answers. Candidates must select the appropriate answers based on an auditory background. The candidate must select multiple answers for this particular question type.
Fill in the Blanks: An incomplete recording transcript is displayed on the screen. After listening to the tape, a student must type the missing word in each space. This question will evaluate the listening and writing skills of the learner. You are given a transcript of the audio recording for this item type, but some words are missing. Enter the omitted words to restore the transcript.
Highlight Correct Summary: Candidates for the PTE listening test must select the most appropriate summary from the options provided for the audio lecture they will hear.
There will be a countdown timer with sounds beginning at 10 seconds. After that, the recording will begin, and the status will change to “playing.”
Look over the responses just once for three seconds before you begin listening. Keep simply a few words in mind. The subject of the text will then be clearer to you.
MCQ-Single Answer: A question has many potential answers, like multiple choice multi-and questions. Candidates must select the appropriate answers based on an auditory background. The only distinction is that, out of the available options, just one is right.
Select Missing Words: Participants in the test will hear an audio clip with the last word or a few syllables beeped out. The assignment is to choose the missing word or words from the list of possibilities.
To perform well on this type of question, you must comprehend what is being stated and the whole context. Then, it would help if you chose which of the provided answers best fits that context. With this question type, you can also have your vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar skills checked.
Highlight Incorrect Words: In this task, you will be presented with a transcript on the screen, and audio will also be played simultaneously. Your job is to highlight the words that do not match the audio.
Write from Dictation: A brief sentence will be said, and you must then record it in writing. You should perform well on this question type as long as you can comprehend the sentence clearly and write it down without making any spelling errors. Concentration is the ability that is most needed in this phase because you will only hear the statement once. One needs to write the same as the sentence dictated to do well on this area of the test.
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