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PTE Academic is divided into three main sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. Each section follows a fixed question pattern designed to measure how you use English in academic settings.
In this guide, you will learn the full PTE question pattern in detail, including question types in each section, along with their purpose and time allocation.
Speaking & Writing Question Pattern in PTE
The Speaking & Writing section combines spoken responses and written tasks in one continuous module. All tasks are completed on a computer using a microphone and keyboard.
This section includes multiple question types that assess speaking and writing skills at the same time. Some tasks also involve reading or listening to input, which reflects real academic communication.
What Question Types Are Included in Speaking & Writing?
From a short personal introduction and reading text aloud to writing a lengthy essay, there are ten different question types in the Speaking & Writing section.
Personal Introduction
First, you must give a brief introduction. You get 25 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to record your introduction. This task is not scored.
Read Aloud
A short text appears on the screen for 30–40 seconds of silent reading. After a brief tone, you must read the text aloud.
Repeat Sentence
You listen to a sentence lasting 3–9 seconds and repeat it. You have 15 seconds to record your response.
Describe an Image
An image is displayed, and you have 25 seconds to study it in detail and prepare a response. After a tone rings, you must describe the image by speaking into the microphone.
Retell a Lecture
You listen to a short lecture and take notes while listening, with an additional 10 seconds provided after the audio ends. You then retell the lecture in your own words.
Answer a Short Question
After you hear a question, you need to respond using one word or a few words. The response must be brief and direct.
Summarise a Group Discussion
You listen to a discussion between three speakers. After that, you must summarise the main points in your own words. You have two minutes to speak.
Respond to a Situation
In this question, you will hear about a situation and read a description of it. Then you respond with what you would say in that situation in 40 seconds.
Summarise the Written Text
You read a long passage of up to 300 words and write a one-sentence summary of the text.
Write an Essay
You write an argumentative essay of 200–300 words on a given topic. You have 20 minutes to complete the task.
What Is the Purpose of the Speaking & Writing Section?
The Speaking & Writing section is designed to assess how effectively a candidate can communicate in academic English. It evaluates both spoken and written responses within a single module.
Several tasks combine speaking with reading or listening input, which reflects real academic situations (lectures, discussions, and written assignments). The Speaking & Writing section measures:
- Spoken fluency and pronunciation
- Grammar and vocabulary accuracy
- Ability to summarise information
- Ability to express ideas in written academic English
How Much Time Is Allocated to Speaking & Writing?
The Speaking & Writing section takes approximately 54 to 67 minutes. All tasks are completed in one continuous block without breaks between question types.
Reading Question Pattern in PTE
The Reading section evaluates how well a candidate understands written academic English. All questions are computer-based and focus on comprehension, vocabulary use, and logical text structure.
Tasks in this section use objective formats, such as multiple-choice questions and text-based interactions, to assess reading accuracy.
What Question Types Appear in PTE Reading?
The PTE reading task requires you to fill in the blanks, answer multiple-choice questions, and rearrange paragraphs in the right order. Brief explanations of each question type are provided below.
Dropdown Fill in the Blanks
A text appears with missing words. For each blank, you select the most appropriate word from a dropdown list.
Drag and Drop Fill in the Blanks
A passage is shown with gaps. You must fill those gaps by dragging the right words from a box and placing them into the correct blanks in the text.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
After a brief text, a multiple-choice question is asked. You are required to select all the correct answers from the options provided.
Multiple Choice, One Answer
This one only requires you to give one right answer to a multiple-choice question. You must pick the right answer from a list of options.
Reorder Paragraph
Several text boxes are presented in random order. You rearrange them to form a logical and coherent paragraph.
What Is the Purpose of the PTE Reading Section?
The PTE Reading section is designed to assess how effectively a candidate can understand and interpret academic written English. It evaluates the ability to process information presented in articles, academic passages, and structured written content.
Tasks in this section require careful reading, recognition of logical relationships, and accurate interpretation of meaning within context. The Reading section in PTE measures:
- Understanding of main ideas and supporting details
- Ability to recognise logical flow and text organisation
- Vocabulary usage in academic contexts
- Awareness of sentence structure and paragraph cohesion
How Much Time Is Allocated to Reading?
The Reading section takes around 30 to 40 minutes to complete. All tasks are completed in a single continuous block during this timeframe.
Listening Question Pattern in PTE
The Listening section measures how well a candidate understands spoken academic English. All tasks are based on audio recordings and completed on a computer using headphones and a keyboard. You are also allowed to take as many notes as you want.
The recordings reflect real academic situations such as lectures, conversations, and discussions, and each audio is played only once.
What Question Types Are Included in PTE Listening?
The PTE listening tasks require you to listen carefully to recordings and respond using written or selected answers. Brief explanations of each question type are provided below.
Summarise Spoken Text
You listen to an audio recording and write a summary of 50–70 words. Cut, copy, and paste functions are available during this task.
Multiple Choice, One Answer
After listening to a recording, a multiple-choice question is asked. You must select one correct answer from the options provided.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
A recording is played, followed by a multiple-choice question. You are required to select all correct answers.
Fill in the Blanks
A transcript with missing words appears on the screen. While listening to the recording, you type the correct words into the blanks.
Highlight Correct Summary
Several summary options are shown after the recording ends. You choose the paragraph that best summarises the audio.
Select Missing Word
The recording stops before the final word. You select the correct missing word from the given options.
Highlight Incorrect Words
A transcript appears on the screen as the audio plays. You must identify the words in the transcript that are different from what the speaker says.
Write from Dictation
You listen to a sentence and then type exactly what you hear. Spelling and word order matter in this task.
What Is the Purpose of the PTE Listening Section?
The PTE Listening section is designed to assess how effectively a candidate can understand spoken English in academic contexts. It evaluates the ability to follow lectures, identify key information, and accurately process spoken content.
Each task in this section requires attention to detail, understanding of meaning, and accurate reproduction of spoken language.
The Listening section measures:
- Understanding of main ideas and supporting details
- Ability to follow spoken academic content
- Accuracy in listening and transcription
- Recognition of meaning, tone, and emphasis
How Much Time Is Allocated to Listening?
The Listening section takes approximately 45 to 57 minutes. All listening tasks are completed in one continuous block, and each recording is played only once.
How Are PTE Responses Scored?
PTE uses AI-based automated scoring systems to evaluate communicative skills and enabling skills across all sections. Communicative skills include speaking, writing, reading, and listening, while enabling skills cover grammar, vocabulary, fluency, pronunciation, spelling, and written responses.
The AI scoring system applies predefined algorithms to ensure consistent and objective evaluation rather than human examiner judgment. This assessment model makes the PTE scoring method different from IELTS, although both PTE and IELTS scores can accurately indicate a candidate’s level of English.
Each task in the PTE test contributes to one or more communicative skills. Many tasks also assess enabling skills at the same time, depending on the type of response and input involved. Because of this integrated scoring approach, performance in one task can influence multiple skill scores.
Ready to Prepare for PTE the Right Way?
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