PTE Academic
Every PTE question type, with how it is scored
PTE Academic has 22 scored question types across speaking, writing, reading and listening. Scores for the four communicative skills are reported from 10 to 90. These pages explain the task in front of you. They do not guess what a particular answer would score.
Speaking & Writing
76–84 minutes. Nine scored question types, from reading a text aloud to a 20-minute essay. A short personal introduction at the start is recorded once and is not scored.
- SpeakingRead AloudA text of up to 60 words appears on screen. You prepare, then read it aloud exactly, once.
- Listening · SpeakingRepeat SentenceYou hear a sentence of about 3–9 seconds, once, and repeat it as soon as the microphone opens.
- SpeakingDescribe ImageYou study an image for 25 seconds, then describe it for up to 40 seconds. The image may be a chart, graph, diagram, map or picture.
- Listening · SpeakingRetell LectureYou hear a lecture of up to 90 seconds, often with an image, then retell the main points in your own words.
- ListeningAnswer Short QuestionYou hear a short question and answer with one word or a few words. Extra words do not earn extra points.
- Listening · SpeakingSummarize Group DiscussionThree people discuss an academic or campus topic. You then have two minutes to summarize the whole discussion in your own words.
- SpeakingRespond to a SituationYou read and hear a campus situation, then say what you would say to the other person. You are not asked to summarize the prompt.
- Reading · WritingSummarize Written TextYou read a passage of up to 300 words and write a one-sentence summary of 5–75 words in 10 minutes.
- WritingWrite EssayYou write one argumentative essay of 200–300 words in 20 minutes. There is one essay on the test.
Reading
23–30 minutes. Five question types share one section timer. Time spent on one item is time you do not have for the next.
- ReadingFill in the Blanks (dropdown)A passage has gaps, and each gap is a drop-down of possible words. You choose the word that fits the meaning and the grammar.
- ReadingMultiple Choice, Multiple Answers (Reading)You read a passage and select every option that is correct. More than one option is right, and wrong selections lose points.
- ReadingReorder ParagraphsSeveral text boxes belong to one paragraph. You drag them back into the original order.
- ReadingFill in the Blanks (drag and drop)You drag words from a box into the gaps. There are more words than gaps, so some words are distractors.
- ReadingMultiple Choice, Single Answer (Reading)You read a short text of up to about 110 words and choose the one option that answers the question.
Listening
31–39 minutes. Eight question types. Each recording plays once, and you may take notes on the erasable booklet.
- Listening · WritingSummarize Spoken TextYou hear a lecture of 60–90 seconds once, then write a 50–70 word summary. You have 10 minutes.
- ListeningMultiple Choice, Multiple Answers (Listening)You hear a short recording once and select every option that matches it. Wrong selections lose points.
- ListeningFill in the Blanks (Listening)A transcript appears with gaps. You listen once and type the missing words. Spelling has to be correct.
- Listening · ReadingHighlight Correct SummaryYou hear a recording of 30–90 seconds and choose the one paragraph that summarises it.
- ListeningMultiple Choice, Single Answer (Listening)You hear a short recording once and choose the single option that answers the question.
- ListeningSelect Missing WordThe last word or phrase of a recording is replaced by a beep. You choose the option that best completes what the speaker was going to say.
- Listening · ReadingHighlight Incorrect WordsYou follow a transcript while a recording plays. Some words in the transcript are wrong. You click the ones that differ from what you hear.
- Listening · WritingWrite from DictationYou hear a short sentence once and type it. Each correct word spelled correctly scores one point.
Negative marking is limited to three tasks
A wrong selection deducts a point only on Reading Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, and Highlight Incorrect Words. The item score cannot fall below zero. Other tasks do not deduct points for a wrong answer.
Frequently asked questions
How many question types are on PTE Academic?
The current test has 22 scored question types: nine in Speaking and Writing, five in Reading, and eight in Listening. A short personal introduction is recorded at the start and is not scored. How many items you see of each type varies slightly by test form.
How long is PTE Academic?
About two hours. Speaking and Writing is 76–84 minutes, Reading is 23–30 minutes, and Listening is 31–39 minutes. No test taker gets every section at its maximum, because the forms are balanced for overall length.
Which PTE tasks have negative marking?
Three. Reading Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers; Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers; and Highlight Incorrect Words. A correct selection scores 1, an incorrect selection scores minus 1, and the item cannot go below zero. Single-answer multiple choice is right or wrong, with no deduction.
Does the personal introduction count toward the score?
No. You have 25 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to record, once. It lets you check the microphone before the scored speaking tasks. It does not contribute to your score.