PTE exam syllabus
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a commonly used computer-based examination taken by international students and institutions. It serves to evaluate an individual's proficiency in the English language. The PTE exam curriculum is designed to gauge the English language fluency of non-native speakers.
PTE scores are recognized as evidence of English language competence by more than 3,000 educational institutions in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and various others
The PTE syllabus assesses language fluency by measuring your core abilities in English, encompassing reading, writing, listening, and speaking
PTE course details 2023
| Section | PTE Test Syllabus | Questions/Duration |
|---|---|---|
| PTE Speaking & Writing |
|
No. of Questions: 28 – 36 Duration: 54 – 67 minutes |
| PTE Reading Section |
|
No. of Questions: 13 – 18 Duration: 29 – 30 minutes |
| PTE Listening Section |
|
No. of Questions: 12 – 20 Duration: 30 – 43 minutes |
PTE 2023 Syllabus - Section Breakdown
The PTE Academic Exam 2023 evaluates candidates in Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening to ascertain their ability to thrive in an international academic setting, equipped with a strong command of the universal language, English. Achieving a high score on this test not only assures admission committees but also visa officers that candidates possess the necessary language proficiency to comprehend the globally recognized official language while pursuing studies abroad
Furthermore, a strong performance on the PTE exam demonstrates a candidate's capacity to articulate ideas effectively, deliver presentations, engage in activities that offer international exposure, and function confidently on the international stage before diverse audiences
This readiness signifies that candidates are prepared to study alongside peers worldwide and engage with international faculty members in the global lingua franca
PTE Exam Syllabus 2023 - Speaking & Writing Section: 54 - 67 minutes
In the Speaking & Writing Section of the PTE exam, lasting approximately 54 to 67 minutes, candidates are assessed on their spoken and written communication skills using English commonly encountered in academic contexts.
This section is the most extensive within the PTE exam and consists of seven distinct question types. It evaluates candidates on their ability to express themselves orally and in writing. Here's an overview of the time allocated to each segment within this section:
| Segments Pattern | Time Duration |
|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | 55 seconds: 25 seconds for the prompt, 30 seconds to record. |
| Read Aloud | 30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
| Repeat Sentence | 15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record |
| Describe Image | 25 seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same |
| Re-Tell Lecture | 90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to answer |
| Answer Short Question | 20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
| Summarize Written Tex | 10 minutes to answer a text prompt of 300 words |
| Essay | 10 minutes to respond to a 300-word text prompt |
| Total Questions | 20 minutes to respond to a text prompt consisting of 2-3 sentences |
| Time Allocation | Total duration for the exam: 54 - 67 minutes. |
PTE Exam Syllabus: Reading Section - 29 to 30 minutes
PTE Reading Section Curriculum: This section evaluates candidates' proficiency in comprehending written instructions in the English language. The section is structured into five distinct parts and spans 29 to 30 minutes. Here's a breakdown of the time allocation for each segment in this section
| Pattern | The duration varies depending on the length of the text prompt |
|---|---|
| Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer | Read 300 words of text |
| Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers | Read 300 words of text |
| Re-Order Paragraphs | Read 150 words of text |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Read 80 words of text |
| Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks | Read 300 words of text |
PTE Academic Listening Section Curriculum
The PTE Academic listening segment extends from 30 to 43 minutes. In this section, the term "celebration" pertains to the practice of observing a special event. It is imperative for the student to listen to the audio content and retain the information attentively. This segment is further subdivided into eight components, with the designated time for each segment as follows
| Pattern | Duration |
|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | 60-90 seconds for skimming and proofreading the text. 10 minutes for writing a 50-70 word summary. |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | 40-90 seconds for listening to audio and selecting multiple responses related to the question. |
| Fill in the Blanks | 30-60 seconds for listening to a recording and filling in the gaps in the transcript |
| Highlight the Correct Summary | 30-90 seconds for listening and selecting the most appropriate summary for the recording |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 30-60 seconds for listening to the audio and choosing a single response relevant to the question. |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 15-50 seconds for listening to a recording and identifying the words that differ between the transcript and audio. |
| Select Missing Word | 20-70 seconds for listening to the audio and selecting the missing word to complete the recording |
| Write From Dictation | 3-5 seconds for listening and typing out the sentence |
| The total time allocated for these tasks is 30 - 43 minutes |
PTE Exam Scoring System
The PTE exam employs a scoring scale ranging from 10 to 90. Each section of the PTE exam is individually scored, and these scores are combined to determine the overall result. Given that the test assesses English language proficiency, it evaluates various aspects such as grammar, fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, comprehension skills, and memory retention
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there specific topics or subject areas covered in the PTE syllabus?
The PTE syllabus does not focus on specific academic subjects or topics. Instead, it assesses general English language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension
How can I best prepare for the Speaking & Writing section?
To excel in the Speaking & Writing section, practice speaking and writing in English regularly. Familiarize yourself with the question types, and use study materials and resources specifically designed for PTE preparation.
What should I expect in the Reading section of the PTE syllabus?
The Reading section will assess your ability to comprehend written texts. You can expect various questions that evaluate your reading skills, such as multiple-choice, reordered paragraphs, and fill-in-the-blanks.
What does the Listening section of the PTE syllabus entail?
In the Listening section, you will listen to audio recordings and answer questions based on your hearing. This section assesses your ability to understand spoken English, including taking notes and summarizing.
Is there a specific word limit for writing tasks in the PTE syllabus?
Yes, there are word limits for writing tasks in the PTE syllabus. For example, the Summarize Written Text task typically requires a summary of 50-70 words
Are there any restrictions based on visa type or immigration status for PTE Academic?
Yes, there are many PTE study guides, books, online courses, and practice tests available. It's advisable to use a combination of these resources to prepare effectively agency you are applying to.
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