PTE Academic: A Complete Guide to the Test

The full type of PTE Academic is the Pearson Test of English. PTE General was originally introduced by the University of London Schools Examination Board in 1982. The Examination Board converged with the Business and Technological Council (BTEC) in 1996 to become Edexcel, the largest examining authority of academic and vocational subjects in the UK.

What is PTE?

The Pearson Test of English Academic exam is a computer-based English language test that is accepted by educational institutions around the world. PTE-Academic is the English test undertaken by students and aspirants who want to travel to another country to study or immigrate to a significant English-speaking country. Students are expected to take the PTE exam to demonstrate their English language skills.

The PTE exam was reformatted more than 10 years ago to be the most secure, reliable, and accurate test of English language proficiency. Nowadays, more than 3,000 colleges, institutions, and professional institutions trust PTE to verify their candidates’ English proficiency. Prominent English-speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK governments accept PTE as proof of English for all visa tiers.

Types of PTE Exam

The Pearson Language Tests of English is responsible for conducting three formats of the English proficiency test to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers.

The three tests are:

PTE Academic: The PTE Academic exam is conducted for students seeking admission to top-ranked universities. The scores of the PTE Academic exam are valid for two years.

PTE Academic UKVI: This is a fair and convenient choice for candidates who aim to work, study, or live in the UK. Compared to the PTE Academic exam, candidates should note that there is no difference in the content or format of the PTE Academic UKVI exam. However, there are some minor differences in the registration process.

PTE Home: The test is broadly classified into PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2, and PTE Home B1 English tests. This format applies when candidates apply for various family and work visas.

Why is the Pearson Test different?

Regarding proving English proficiency, several tests are available, such as IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, and more. However, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) stands out for several reasons.

Let’s explore what sets it apart from the rest:

Fully Computer-Based Test: The PTE academic test, including the speaking section, is entirely computer-based. This means you will interact with the computer for all parts of the exam, providing a seamless and convenient testing experience.

Short Duration: With just two hours, the PTE Academic test is relatively shorter than other English language proficiency tests. This allows test-takers to complete the exam efficiently within a manageable timeframe.

Artificial Intelligence Scoring: PTE employs artificial intelligence (AI) to assess and score all test sections.

Accurate and unbiased scoring: PTE offers highly accurate and unbiased scoring thanks to its AI scoring system. AI eliminates human bias and ensures consistency in evaluating responses, giving test-takers a fair assessment of their language proficiency.

Fast Results: One of the notable advantages of PTE is the quick turnaround time for receiving results. Test-takers typically receive their scores within just two days, allowing them to quickly move forward with their academic or professional pursuits.

Testing International English: PTE academics focus on testing international English, encompassing a range of accents and language variations from different English-speaking countries. This makes it relevant for individuals who plan to study, work, or migrate to various English-speaking regions.

Comprehensive Online Practice Material: PTE academics offers preparatory resources online to assist students in doing well on the exam. These resources enable test-takers to familiarise themselves with the test format, question types, and timing, ensuring they feel confident and well-prepared.

Included Break Time: The PTE academic exam includes a ten-minute break. This break allows test-takers to refresh and regain their focus before proceeding with the remaining sections of the test.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) differentiates itself from other English language proficiency tests through its fully computer-based format, short duration, AI scoring, accurate and unbiased evaluation, fast result delivery, focus on international English, availability of online practice materials, and included break time. 

These factors make PTE a popular choice among individuals seeking to prove their English proficiency for various academic and professional endeavours.

Preparation Strategies for Pearson Test of English

Preparing for the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) requires a strategic approach to ensure success in the test. You may boost your language skills, become more comfortable with the test environment, and feel more at ease on test day with the correct study techniques.

Here are some effective preparation strategies to help you excel in the PTE Academic:

Understand the Test Format: Familiarise yourself with the different sections of the PTE Academic, including speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Spend some time learning the format, time constraints, and grading scale for each component. This knowledge will help you structure your preparation and allocate time effectively during the test.

Create a study plan: Make definite plans for what you want to accomplish and how you want to study so that you might succeed. The best way to stay structured and aware of your progress is to divide the preparation into smaller, more achievable activities.

Practice with Sample Questions: Use official PTE Academic practice materials to become familiar with the question types and test interface. Practice regularly with sample questions to develop a better understanding of the requirements and improve your speed and accuracy.

Simulate Test Conditions: As you progress in your preparation, simulate test conditions to mimic the actual exam environment. Create a quiet space, set a timer, and attempt practice tests in one sitting. This will help you build stamina, manage time effectively, and get accustomed to the pressure of the test.

Utilise Official Resources: Take advantage of the official PTE academic resources available online. The official website provides valuable information, sample questions, and preparation materials. Familiarise yourself with the scoring system, assessment criteria, and official score guide to understand how your performance will be evaluated.

Seek Guidance: Consider seeking guidance from experienced tutors or enrolling in online courses specifically designed for PTE academic preparation. Expert guidance can provide you with valuable tips, strategies, and personalised feedback to improve your performance. Tutors and courses can help you identify your weaknesses, work on specific areas, and provide guidance on test-taking strategies.

Improve Language Skills: PTE Academic assesses not only your language proficiency but also your ability to use English in academic settings. Engage in activities such as reading English books, articles, and academic texts, listening to English podcasts or lectures, and practising speaking and writing in English.

Time Management: Develop effective time management skills to ensure you complete all test sections within the allocated time. During practice sessions, time yourself for each task to understand how long you should spend on each question. Learn to quickly skim and scan reading passages, take efficient notes during the listening section, and manage your writing time wisely. 

Review and Learn from Mistakes: After completing practice tests or practice sections, review your answers and understand the mistakes you made. Locate problematic recurrent errors and problem locations. Take note of your weak spots and work to improve them in future training sessions.

Always Stay Calm and Confident: Keep your temper and your spirits up on test day. Remember that your finest performance will result from your preparedness and practice. You can improve your chances of getting a good score on the PTE Academic by adding these preparation tactics into your regular study practice. Start early, be consistent, and be bold in your approach.

Requirements and Test Format

PTE-academic

Candidates should bear in mind that the syllabus pattern and exam pattern of the PTE-academic examination compliments each other. On a broader scale, the exam is divided into 3 activities.

They are-

Question: while reading the text promptly, candidates can measure the length of the text in words or sentences. Candidates need to be active and concentrated in this part.

Prepare for Answer:  here candidates do not have to immediately answer the questions. On average, candidates can get 10 to 15 seconds to prepare for each segment. At this stage, students can relax and think for a while about how to answer.

Answer: the answers are recorded while speaking or writing.

Eligibility	Requirements
Minimum age required to appear for PTE Academic	16 years
Parental consent required	Below 18 years
Academic certificates	Depending on mode of examination
Visa and passport	Required

Syllabus

There is no specific topic or segment to be noted especially for the examination as all topics covered in the syllabus are designed to evaluate the candidate’s English language proficiency. Students will respond according to the direction of giving answers based on the paragraphs appearing on the screen.

Exam pattern

The examination pattern for the PTE Academic Exam is designed based on the following-

Reading 

1. Fill in the blanks (reading and writing)	Drag words from a box below to fill the gaps of text on screen.
2. Multiple choice answers	Select more than one response.
3. Re-order paragraphs	Put the text boxes in the correct order.
4. Fill in the blanks	Drag words from a box below to fill the gaps of text on screen.
5. Multiple choice, single answer	Select only one response after reading the text

Listening

1. Summarize spoken test	Use not more than 50-70 words.
2. Multiple choice answers	Select more than one response.
3. Fill in the blanks	Type the missing words in each gaps.
4. Highlight Correct Summary	After listening to recording, summarize the topic.
5. Multiple Choice, Single Answer	Select only one response.
6. Select Missing Word	After listening to recording, select the missing one.
7. Highlight Incorrect Words	Identify the words in the transcript that differ from recording.
8. Write from Dictation	Listen and type the sentences.

Speaking and Writing

1. Personal Introduction	Candidates will provide information regarding oneself and the institution.
2. Read Aloud	Reading the test aloud appearing on screen.
3. Repeat Sentence	Repeat the recording
4. Describe Image	Describe the image in detail on the screen.
5. Re-tell Lecture	Retell the lecture in own words.
6. Answer Short Question	Answer within one to few words.
7. Summarize Written Text	Write one sentence summary of the passage.
8. Essay	Write the essay within 200-300 words.

PTE Academic- Scoring System

Upon completion of the PTE Academic test, students receive scores that reflect their language proficiency level. The test consists of three main sections: speaking and writing, listening, and reading, which collectively encompass 20 different question types.

With its diverse question types, PTE uses varying scoring methods for each. Unlike other tests, there is no fixed PTE academic score requirement for university admission, as it varies across institutions. Generally, the PTE academic score evaluates skills in six areas:

• Pronunciation
• Oral Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Written Discourse
• Spelling

To determine the specific score required for your desired course, it is crucial to check the institution’s requirements. Different courses may have specific score prerequisites for enrollment.

PTE Academic is scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 90 in each section, where 90 represents the highest achievable score, while 0 is the lowest. It is essential to note that PTE scores should not be directly compared to IELTS scores, as they utilize different scoring systems and assessment criteria.

PTE Scores	IELTS bands
86-90	9.0
83-85	8.5
79-82	8.0
73-78	7.5
65-72	7.0
58-64	6.5
50-57	6.0
42-49	5.5
36-41	5.0
29-35	4.5

Registration Time and Result

Test takers can take this examination for two hours only and can get their results within 48 hours. Moreover, candidates can choose from frequent test dates and also can book last minute. Candidates can apply with a deposit of 200 USD as a PTE exam fee for both online and offline modes of PTE examination.

Here’s the table containing the scoreboard of PTE. For better comparison, the score has been compared with the score of IELTS.

PTE Academic provides a transparent ensuring an easy to understanding scoring. After taking the test candidates will receive an overall English score. They can also see the individual performance in these segments-

• Grammar score
• Spelling score
• Oral Fluency score
• Vocabulary score
• Written Discourse score

How Is The Total Score Evaluated?

PTE evaluates the six skills- grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse. These combine a score range of 10-90. The average of enabling skills is calculated by adding the obtained points in all these skills and then dividing it by 6, which is the number of skills mentioned above.

The applicants need sufficient PTE preparation and practice to cut a good figure in the examination. As PTE results are accepted not more than two years older, the English Language test report is suggested to be valid on the course’s start date.

Pearson Test of English- PTE mock test

Candidates who are aiming to secure a noteworthy score In the PTE exam, are highly appreciated to sit for a mock examination prior to the final test. As the test is much more costly, candidates can save their valuable money and time as well as can get an overall evaluation before the final test while sitting for the original examination.

AHZ Associates is one of the prominent certified institutions for PTE in Bangladesh where candidates can get prepared for the PTE examination with detailed guidelines. The institution also arranges both mock tests and original tests based on the candidate’s demands.

PTE examination acceptance at the UK University

Almost all UK universities accept PTE scores as evidence of English language proficiency. Here are some top-ranked universities that accept PTE scores.

• Anglia Ruskin University
• Brunel University
• Greenwich University
• Leeds University
• London School of Economics
• Queen Mary University
• British School of Osteopathic Medicine- and many more.

FAQ’s