PTE Academic study guide
PTE Academic · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English test that assesses four skills - speaking, writing, reading and listening - in a single session of about two hours taken at an authorised PTE test centre. It is used for university and college study worldwide, for work and migration visa applications to Australia and New Zealand, and for professional registration such as nursing in the United States. The test is delivered in three timed parts: Speaking & Writing (76–84 minutes), Reading (23–30 minutes) and Listening (31–39 minutes). Scoring is reported on the 10–90 Global Scale of English, with an overall score plus a breakdown by skill, and combines AI scoring with human expertise. Topics on this exam: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. The PTE Academic study guide has 3 sections and about 818 words.
01Speaking & Writing: Fluency, Form, and the Scoring Engine
PTE Speaking and Writing is machine-scored on three traits: content , form , and fluency/pronunciation (for spoken tasks). Understanding these traits matters more than polishing grammar. For Read Aloud, content is judged by how many words of the prompt you reproduce; for Repeat Sentence, by word order and completeness; for Describe Image, by whether you cover key elements and speak continuously. Oral fluency : smooth delivery, natural pausing, no long hesitations.
259 words, about 1 min02Reading: Time, Skimming, and Question Logic
The Reading section is timed as a whole, so pacing is a skill in itself. Question types include Multiple Choice (single and multiple answer), Re-order Paragraphs, Fill in the Blanks (reading and writing, and reading only), and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks. Each rewards different reading behaviour: some need gist, others need local grammar and collocation. Skimming for gist for multiple choice and summary-style items.
284 words, about 1 min03Listening: Note-Taking, Integration, and Dictation
Listening combines comprehension with integrated skills. Key task types include Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, and Write from Dictation. Several tasks feed both Listening and Writing or Reading scores, so accuracy here pays twice. Note-taking : capture keywords, numbers, names, and logical signposts (however, therefore, for example).
275 words, about 1 min