- PTE Academic syllabus includes 22 question types across Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening sections.
- Two new speaking tasks added to PTE syllabus: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation.
- PTE scores accepted by 3,500+ universities globally and for visas in Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and New Zealand.
This blog underscores the syllabus, exam pattern, fees, validity & eligibility of the PTE Test. It provides a detailed understanding of the types of questions, duration of the test & modes of examination. The PTE test improves the English skills of the students & helps them achieve better scores.
Introduction of Pearson Test of English
The PTE is also known as the Pearson Test of English and is taken by students who are dreaming of pursuing their education abroad. It measures the English proficiency of students. PTE syllabus highlights the pattern of the test & allows students to analyse & understand the examination better. More than 3,000 institutes recognize the test & which is widely accepted for assessing the English skills of students in countries like the UK, the USA, Australia, etc.
World Wide Recognition of the Test
The PTE test has gained worldwide popularity because of its acceptance in more than 3,000 institutes. These include the London School of Commerce, Queen’s University, RMIT University, Royal Business School, San Francisco State University, Imperial College London, etc.
PTE Eligibility, Fees & Mode
The test is divided into 3 major sections, which include reading, writing & speaking, and listening. The PTE test fee is 18,000 INR. The test is 2 hours 15 minutes long (135 minutes) & is scored on a scale of 10-90. Students can take tests from the exam centre or at home. Students who are above 16 years & have valid government ID are eligible for taking the PTE test.
Validity of PTE Test
The scores of the PTE test remain valid for two years after taking the test.
PTE Test Pattern: Comprehensive Guide
The test is divided into 3 sections that include reading, writing, speaking & listening. The PTE test has 22 different question types. The table given below shows the duration of the test, the number of questions, etc. The total number of questions across all sections has been reduced to 52-64 (from earlier 70-82). New question types “Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation” were added in August 2025. The test is computer-based & can be taken from a test centre or at home.
| Major Pattern | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 28-36 | 54-67 minutes |
| Reading | 13-18 | 32-41 minutes |
| Listening | 12-20 | 30-43 minutes |
PTE Syllabus & Major Segmentations
Speaking & Writing: 54-67 minutes
The speaking & writing section has 28-36 questions, which measure the speaking & writing skills of the students. The section includes a personal introduction, reading aloud the text, describing an image, etc.
Types of questions
- Personal Introduction: Prepare & record your response, 25 seconds for the prompt & 30 seconds to record.
- Read Aloud: Read out the text of 60 words clearly.
- Repeat Sentence: Repeat the sentence & record your response, 3-9 seconds for prompt & 15 seconds to record.
- Describe Image: Study the image & record your response within 25 seconds
- Re-tell Lecture: Read the given statement & record your response, 90 seconds for the prompt, 10 seconds to prepare & 40 seconds to answer.
- Summarise Written text: Answer text of 300 words within 10 minutes.
- Essay: Respond to a 300-word text within 10 minutes.
| Types of questions | Duration |
|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | Total 55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds for recording |
| Read Aloud | 30-40 seconds for reading out the text of 60 words |
| Repeat Sentence | Total 15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt; 15 seconds to record |
| Describe Image | 25 seconds to study the image & prepare a response |
| Re-Tell Lecture | 90 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to prepare & 40 seconds to answer |
| Answer Short Questions | Total 20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarise Written Text | 10 minutes to answer a text prompt of 300 words |
| Essay | 20 minutes to answer a text prompt of 2-3 sentences |
| Total Questions | 28-36 |
Reading: 32-41 minutes
The reading section has 13-18 questions which analyse the reading abilities of the students. Multiple choice questions, re-ordering of paragraphs, and filing the missing words are some of the types of questions that fall under this section.
Types of questions
- Multiple choice questions: Select multiple answers for the given question
- Re-order paragraph: Rearrange the paragraph to form a complete meaning.
- Fill in the blanks: Choose the appropriate option to complete the sentence.
- Multiple choice questions: Select a single answer from the given set of options.
| Types of questions | Duration |
|---|---|
| MCQ, Choose single answer | Read 300 words of text |
| MCQ, Choose multiple answers | Read 300 words of text |
| Re-order Paragraphs | Read 150 words of text |
| Fill in the blanks | Read 80 words of text |
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the blanks | Read 300 words of text |
| Total Questions | 13-18 |
| Total Duration | 29-30 minutes |
Listening: 30-43 minutes
The listening section contains 12-20 questions, which are useful for measuring the listening skills of students. Summarising the spoken text, multiple choice questions, and highlighting the incorrect words are some of the types of questions which come under this section.
Types of questions
- Summarise Spoken Text: Listen to the audio clip & write your response in a 50-70 words summary.
- Multiple choice question, multiple answers: Listen to the audio click & respond to the questions. There might be more than one correct answer for the given question.
- Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks with suitable options after listening.
- Multiple choice questions, single answer: Choose only one option from the given options.
- Highlight Incorrect word: Listen to the audio clip to identify the incorrect word that differs between the transcript & audio.
- Write from dictation: Listen to the audio & type the sentence.
| Types of questions | Duration |
|---|---|
| Summarise Spoken Text | 60-90 seconds for the recording; 10 minutes for writing |
| MCQ, Multiple choice answers | 40-90 seconds for responding to the audio clip |
| Fill in the blanks | 30-60 seconds listening to audio & typing missing words |
| Highlight the Correct Summary | 30-90 seconds for listening & selecting correct summary |
| MCQ, Single choice answer | 30-60 seconds for listening & choosing single response |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 15-50 seconds for listening & identifying incorrect words |
| Select Missing Words | 20-70 seconds for listening & selecting missing word |
| Write from Dictation | 3-5 seconds listening & writing the sentence |
| Total Questions | 12-20 |
| Total Duration | 30-43 minutes |
Key Takeaways
PTE Academic evaluates English proficiency through 22 question types across three core sections: Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes), Reading (29-30 minutes), and Listening (30-43 minutes). The test fee is ₹18,000 (inclusive of 18% GST) in India, with results delivered within 1-2 business days and scores valid for two years. Students aged 16+ can take the 2 hours 15 minutes computer-based exam at test centres or from home, with scores ranging from 10-90. Two new question types—”Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation”—were added in August 2025, bringing the total to 52-64 questions across all sections. Understanding the PTE syllabus helps students prepare strategically for each section’s unique question formats, from Read Aloud and Describe Image in Speaking to Fill in the Blanks and Re-order Paragraphs in Reading, ensuring you achieve the scores needed for your dream university abroad.
Ready to achieve your study-abroad goals? AdmitX provides expert support from university selection to visa approval. Our services include:
- University Selection Guidance
- SOP Review
- Study-Abroad Document Templates
- Free IELTS Bootcamp Course
- Scholarship Assistance
- Visa Support Services
And much more!
Book your FREE counselling session with our experts today!
FAQs
Is it possible to take the PTE test online?
Yes, students can take tests at home. The PTE test can be taken both in offline & online mode. The fee for the home version of the test is 14,435 INR.
What is the syllabus for the PTE test?
The PTE test is divided into 3 major sections that include writing & speaking, reading, and listening. The test is scored on a scale of 10-90. We have provided a detailed guide to understand the test format & scoring.
How many times can I take the PTE test?
PTE academic tests can be given as many times as the students wish. The test taker is only required to meet the conditions of the test. Students can reschedule their test (maximum 6 times) before 14 days of taking the test.
What is the PTE test fee in India for 2026?
The PTE Academic test fee is ₹18,000 (inclusive of 18% GST) in India as of 2026.
Can I retake the PTE exam if I'm not satisfied with my score?
Yes, you can retake the PTE exam as many times as needed with no waiting period between attempts.
Is PTE easier than IELTS for Indian students?
Many students find PTE easier due to its computer-based format, predictable scoring, and faster results compared to IELTS.
What is the minimum PTE score required for Australian PR?
For Australian PR, you need a minimum of 58 in Listening, 59 in Reading, 69 in Writing, and 76 in Speaking
What is the difference between PTE Academic and PTE Core?
PTE Academic is for university admissions and student visas, whilst PTE Core is specifically for Canadian economic visas and PR applications.
How quickly can I book a PTE test slot?
Test slots are available almost daily at most centres, though booking 2-4 weeks in advance is recommended during peak admission seasons.
Can I use PTE scores for Canadian immigration?
Yes, PTE Essential is accepted for all Canadian economic visa categories including permanent residency applications.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
