Overview of the PTE Test
Start your PTE preparation with an overview of each part of the test: speaking, writing, reading and listening.
by Tim Martyn
Speaking
Here are some key points about speaking in the PTE test:
- Speaking is assessed in Part 1, together with writing.
- You record your speaking responses using a microphone – there’s no human examiner present.
- Some speaking question types also assess your reading and listening skills.
A variety of question types are used.
| Speaking question types |
|---|
| Personal introduction |
| Read aloud |
| Repeat sentence |
| Describe image |
| Re-tell lecture |
| Answer short question |
Writing
Here are some key points about writing in the PTE test:
- Writing is assessed in Part 1, together with speaking.
- One writing question type also assesses your reading skills.
A variety of question types are used.
| Writing question types |
|---|
| Summarize written text |
| Write essay |
Reading
Here are some key points about reading in the PTE test:
- Reading is assessed in Part 2.
- You have approximately 32–41 minutes to complete the reading tasks.
- One reading question type also assesses your writing skills.
A variety of question types are used.
| Reading question types |
|---|
| Multiple-choice, choose single answer |
| Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers |
| Re-order paragraphs |
| Fill in the blanks |
| Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks |
Listening
Here are some key points about listening in the PTE test:
- Listening is assessed in Part 3.
- You have approximately 45–57 minutes to complete the listening tasks.
- You hear each listening passage once only.
- The audio recordings are very authentic. They feature a variety of native and non-native accents, as well as characteristics of natural speech such as fillers, hesitations and false starts.
- Some listening question types also assess your writing and reading skills.
A variety of question types are used.
| Listening question types |
|---|
| Summarize spoken text |
| Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers |
| Fill in the blanks |
| Highlight correct summary |
| Multiple-choice, choose single answer |
| Select missing word |
| Highlight incorrect words |
| Write from dictation |
