Overview of the PTE Test

Start your PTE preparation with an overview of each part of the test: speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Table of contents

Speaking

Here are some key points about speaking in the PTE test:

Speaking is assessed in Part 1, together with writing.
You record your speaking responses using a microphone – there’s no human examiner present.
Some speaking question types also assess your reading and listening skills.

A variety of question types are used.

Here are some key points about writing in the PTE test:

A variety of question types are used.

Writing question types
Summarize written text
Write essay

Here are some key points about reading in the PTE test:

A variety of question types are used.

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

Here are some key points about listening in the PTE test:

Listening is assessed in Part 3.
You have approximately 45–57 minutes to complete the listening tasks.
You hear each listening passage once only.
The audio recordings are very authentic. They feature a variety of native and non-native accents, as well as characteristics of natural speech such as fillers, hesitations and false starts.
Some listening question types also assess your writing and reading skills.

A variety of question types are used.

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