Frequently Asked Questions - PTE Coaching

The total duration of the PTE exam is 2 to 2.5 hours, divided into:

• Speaking & Writing – 54 to 67 minutes
• Reading – 29 to 30 minutes
• Listening – 30 to 43 minutes

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a globally recognised English proficiency test that evaluates a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in English. It is accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK, and the USA.
PTE Academic is a computer-based test that assesses four key language skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. It is known for its fast results, AI-based scoring, and test format, which integrate multiple language skills into a single task.

The PTE Academic exam consists of three main sections:

• Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes)
• Reading (29–30 minutes)
• Listening (30–43 minutes)

1. Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes)

This section tests your spoken fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and writing ability through various tasks.

Task Types in Speaking & Writing Section

• Read Aloud: Read a short text displayed on the screen (6–7 questions) – Skills: Speaking, Reading
• Repeat Sentence: Listen to a sentence and repeat it exactly (10–12 questions) – Skills: Speaking, Listening
• Describe Image: Describe an image displayed on the screen (3–4 questions) – Skills: Speaking
• Re-tell Lecture: Listen to a lecture and summarize it in your own words (1–2 questions) – Skills: Speaking, Listening
• Answer Short Question: Respond to a simple question with a one-word or short answer (5–6 questions) – Skills: Speaking, Listening
• Summarize Written Text: Read a passage and summarize it in one sentence (5–75 words) (1–2 questions) – Skills: Writing, Reading
• Write Essay: Write a 200–300-word essay on a given topic (1–2 questions) – Skills: Writing

2. Reading (29–30 minutes)

This section evaluates your reading comprehension skills through different question formats.

Task Types in Reading Section

• Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing): Drag and drop words into blanks in a passage (5–6 questions) – Skills: Reading, Writing
• Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer: Answer a multiple-choice question based on a passage (1–2 questions) – Skills: Reading
• Reorder Paragraphs: Arrange scrambled text in a logical order (2–3 questions) – Skills: Reading
• Fill in the Blanks (Reading Only): Select words from a drop-down menu to complete a passage (4–5 questions) – Skills: Reading
• Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers: Select more than one correct answer from given options (1–2 questions) – Skills: Reading

3. Listening (30–43 minutes)

This section tests your listening comprehension and ability to extract important details from audio recordings.

Task Types in Listening Section

• Summarize Spoken Text: Listen to an audio and write a 50–70-word summary (1–2 questions) – Skills: Listening, Writing
• Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers: Listen to an audio and select multiple correct answers (1–2 questions) – Skills: Listening
• Fill in the Blanks: Type missing words in a transcript based on audio (2–3 questions) – Skills: Listening, Writing
• Highlight Correct Summary: Choose the best summary of an audio recording (1–2 questions) – Skills: Listening, Reading
• Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer: Listen and choose the best response to a question (1–2 questions) – Skills: Listening
• Select Missing Word: Identify the missing word in an audio clip (1–2 questions) – Skills: Listening
• Highlight Incorrect Words: Listen to an audio and identify incorrect words in a transcript (2–3 questions) – Skills: Listening, Reading
• Write from Dictation: Listen to a sentence and type it exactly as heard (3–4 questions) – Skills: Listening, Writing

PTE Academic uses AI-based scoring, making it completely unbiased. The total score is between 10 to 90 points, with individual scores for:

• Speaking (10–90)
• Writing (10–90)
• Reading (10–90)
• Listening (10–90)

Each task is scored based on fluency, pronunciation, grammar, content, and coherence.

PTE Academic Score Requirements

Score Range	Proficiency Level
85–90	Expert
76–84	Very Good
59–75	Good
50–58	Competent
30–49	Limited
10–29	Beginner

• Universities require a minimum score of 55–65.
• Australian & New Zealand PR usually requires 65+.

PTE General is an English proficiency test designed to assess real-life communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Unlike PTE Academic, it is not used for immigration or university admissions but for career growth, employment, and language learning.

1. Key Features of PTE General

• Purpose: Tests general English skills for work, personal, and educational purposes.
• Accepted by: Some employers, institutions, and governments (not for visas or university admissions).
• Test Format: Written Test + Spoken Interview.
• Levels: 6 levels (Beginner A1 to Proficiency C2).
• Scoring: Pass, Merit, or Distinction (not numerical).
• Result Time: Up to 6 weeks.
• Exam Frequency: Conducted in May, June, and December every year.

2. PTE General Exam Format

PTE General is divided into two parts:

A. Written Test (Listening, Reading, Writing)

• Duration: Varies by level (from 90 to 180 minutes).
• Skills Tested:
  • Understanding everyday English conversations.
  • Reading comprehension (articles, emails, notices).
  • Writing structured responses (letters, stories, reports).

B. Spoken Test (Speaking Interview)

• Duration: 5–7 minutes.
• Format: One-on-one interview with an examiner.
• Skills Tested:
  • Ability to hold a conversation.
  • Expressing opinions and ideas.
  • Discussing topics based on prompts.

3. PTE General Exam Levels

The test has 6 levels, mapped to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages):

Higher levels (B1–C2) are often required for job opportunities.

4. PTE General Scoring

Unlike PTE Academic, PTE General does not use a numerical score. Instead, candidates receive:

• Pass: Basic proficiency
• Merit: Good performance
• Distinction: Excellent performance

Higher levels (C1–C2) with Distinction are valued by employers and institutions.

Candidates can register for the PTE exam on the official Pearson PTE website or through authorized PTE test centres. Oxford School of English provides registration assistance for students enrolling in PTE Coaching

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) offers various exams tailored to different purposes. Here's a breakdown of the exam fees for the three primary PTE tests in India:

PTE results are delivered within 2–5 days for both test centre and online versions.
Test-takers can access their scores through their Pearson PTE account.

The PTE Academic and PTE General scores are valid for two years from the test date.

• For PTE Academic, universities and immigration authorities (like Australia) require scores within 2 years of the test date. However, for Australian PR, the Department of Home Affairs may consider scores up to 3 years old for visa applications.
• PTE General scores do not expire and are valid for a lifetime, but institutions may have their own acceptance policies.
• PTE Home is valid for 2 years, as required by UKVI for visa applications.

Always check with the institution or immigration authority where you're submitting your score to confirm their validity requirements.