PTE (Pearson Test of English) is a test conducted for English language proficiency by Pearson PCL group. PTE Academic is a computer based test for study abroad and immigration. It is a three-hours long test recognized by universities and colleges globally.
There are 3 different tests viz. PTE Academic, PTE General and PTE for Young Learners. Any person whose native language is not English and willing to study abroad can access his/her proficiency in the language through PTE Academic.
- PTE Academic tests a candidate’s English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
- PTE Exam Centers are located in around 50 countries all over the world.
- Examination booking fee is INR 11,102 excluding GST of 18%.
- PTE Academic is accepted by prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School, Yale, INSEAD.
- It is also accepted for VISA purposes by Australia and New Zealand Governments
PTE 2020 Exam Highlights
| Exam Name | Pearson Test of English |
| Short Form | PTE |
| Official Website | pearsonpte.com |
| Level of Examination | International Level |
| Conducting Body | Pearson PCL group |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Sections | Three |
| Name of Sections | Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening |
| Score Range | 10-90 Points |
| Exam Fee | INR 13,300 |
| Late Booking Fee | INR 13,965 |
PTE Exam Dates 2020
- PTE can be taken throughout the year.
- Candidates may book their slots as per their convenience.
- Candidates willing to take Pearson Test of English can register themselves 24 hours prior to the exam day.
- Its is advised to the candidates that they must book their slot 10 – 15 days before the test as the test centers are allotted in first come first serve basis.
PTE 2020 FAQ’s
Ques. How to choose the right PTE exam?
- Pearson PCL conducts four different exams, each with its own purpose.
- PTE General and PTE Young Learners are held to apply to schools and high schools.
- PTE Business English is required as a english proficiency test in business and commerce industry.
- PTE Academic is the standard test required for applying to the universities and colleges in English speaking nations.
Ques. Which countries accept PTE Score?
- Acceptable for study applications by thousands of universities/colleges around the world (USA, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Australia).
- PTE scores are approved/accepted by Australian and New Zealand govt universities and for immigration purpose.
PTE 2020 Eligibility Criteria
| Age limit | Candidate must at least be 16 years in age. Candidates below the age of 18 years must provide signed parental consent for taking the test. |
| Number of Attempts | No limit on the number of times PTE is taken by a person. |
| Nationality | Candidate from any country of the world can appear for the test. |
PTE 2020 Registration
Registration for PTE are only done in online mode on the official website of the exam. To book PTE Academic, candidates have to create a pearson account. make sure all fields are mentioned correctly to avoid hassle free registration. Steps to register and book the exam are mentioned below:
Step 1: Create a PTE Account
- Visit in.pearson.com/pte
- Enter your personal information-name, Date of Birth, Email-ID.
- Fill in your contact information, preferred test location.
- If you want additional information regarding the test, you can click on “Get Call Back”.
- You’ll be redirected to another page; Now click on “Create Account”
- A confirmation mail with login credentials will be sent to the given email ID within 48 hours.
Remember to use Roman characters while filling registration form. Use a functioning and valid email ID, as all correspondence regarding PTE is done via email.
Step 2: Book your Test
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- Once candidates have created pearson account, they can sign in and schedule a test.
- Sign in using your Username and password.
- Go to “PTE-A: Pearson Test of English Academic” mentioned under Exam Catalogue.
- Click “Schedule this exam” and enter all details required.
- As per your comfort choose the preferred test centre, appointment date & test time slot.
- Click on “Proceed to checkout button”
Step 3: Pay Test Fees
Complete the checkout steps & Pay the application fee. A confirmation mail will be sent within 48 hours with the location of the test center and list of instruction to be followed on the test day.
The payment methods accepted by Pearson are:
- All MasterCard, American Express and JCB credit cards and Visa debit cards are accepted
- Vouchers/promotion codes (candidates have to pay the balance if your voucher does not cover the full test cost)
- PayPal payment is not accepted
Late booking fee is charged if booking is done 48 hours prior to the test. Check your confirmation email properly to cross verify identification details. in case of issues contact customer care before the exam.
Rescheduling or Cancelling PTE Academic test
- Candidates can reschedule the exam to any desired date through phone or online.
- Canceling or rescheduling the exam can be done through the PTE profile on the website.
Following fees for rescheduling are applicable for the given timeline:
- Rescheduling 7 days prior the test date: 25% of the exam fee has to be paid for a new test date
- Cancelling the test 7 days before prior: 50% of the test fee is refunded
- Rescheduling the test within 7 days: Pay the full registration fee for the new test
- Cancelling within 7 days of the test: No refund
PTE 2020 Test Pattern
- PTE Academic comprises of 3 sections – Speaking & Writing; Reading; Listening.
- The duration of the test is three hours.
- Test 20 different types of question formats.
- The test will comprise of excerpts from lectures, view graphs, and charts.
- PTE Academic will analyze candidate’s ability to comprehend different accents of English.
Part 1: Speaking and Writing Test Pattern
This section is to be attempted in 77 – 93 minutes. Speaking skill is assessed on the basis candidate’s ability to converse/interact in English in an academic environment. Writing part tests a candidate’s grammar and spellings. Speaking and Writing has following sub sections that candidates have to attempt Component wise detailed test pattern of Speaking and Writing is mentioned below:
Personal Introduction
- 25 Seconds are given to read a prompt text and prepare response.
- 30 seconds are provided to record the response.
- Response can be recorded only once. It is not scored but sent together with the Score Report.
Read Aloud : Candidates have to read aloud a text that appears on the screen. Reading accuracy and speaking skills are assessed in this section.
- The text length goes upto 60 words or more. There is no fixed time limit to read the text. It depends on the length of the text.
- Candidates get 30-40 seconds to prepare the text before the recording begins.
- A short tone is buzzed, candidates have to start speaking after that tone.
- Progress bar changes from recording to completed once the time is over.
- Responses can be recorded only once.
Repeat Sentence: In this component, candidates have to listen a recorded sentence and repeat it. Listening, memorising and speaking skills are assessed. The prompt length is of 3 to 9 seconds and candidates have to record their response in 15 seconds.
- The audio of sentence begins to play and candidates have to listen it carefully.
- There is no short tone, record the response immediately.
- Once the time limit id out recording changes to completed.
- Candidates cannot replay the audio, response can be recorded only once.
Describe Image: Candidates have to describe an image that is displayed on screen. Analyzing and Speaking skills are assessed in this component. 40 seconds are provided to answer this section.
- A countdown is active after which the microphone is active to record.
- 25 seconds are given to study the image and prepare the response.
- A short tone is played, candidates have to speak right after the tone.
- Response can be recorded only once.
Re-Tell Lecture: In this component, after watching/ listening a lecture candidates have to re-tell it in their own words. Interprating and Speaking skills are assessed. Prompt length is of 90 seconds. 40 seconds are provided to record the response.
- An audio is played with a image related to it.
- After the audio, 10 seconds are provide to prepare the respone.
- A short tone is played, candidates have to speak after that immediately.
Answer Short Question: Candidates have to reply to a question in one or few words. Prompt length is of 3 to 9 seconds. 10 seconds are provided to answer the question.
- Audio is played along with an image.
- There is no short tone, after the audio stops response is to be recorded immediately.
- Response cannot be replayed, it can only be recorded once.
Summarize Written Text: One sentence summary of the given passage is to be written. Compiling, reading and writing skills are assessed. Prompt length is of 300 words. 10 minutes are given to write the response.
- Passage should be summarised in not more than 75 words.
- There is a word count on the number of words that candidates write.
- Cut, copy and paste options are available to write the summary.
Essay: A topic is given on which a 200 to 300 word essay is to be written. Thinking ability and writing skills are assessed. Prompt length is of 2-3 sentences. 20 minutes are given to write the answer.
- A comprehensive and argumentative essay is to be written.
- Word count is provided to count the number of words written.
- Minimum of 200 words should be written but not more than 300 words.
- Cut, copy and paste options are given to edit the answer.
Part 2: Reading Test Pattern
Reading section is of 32-40 minutes. The section comprises of 15-20 independent and integrated skill questions. It is the only timed section. Reading section has following sub sections that candidates have to attempt:
Component wise detiled test pattern of Reading is mentioned below:
Reading and Writing fill in the blanks: A text is given with gaps in between. Candidates have to fill in those gaps from the word box given. Prompt length is 300 words to assess reading skills.
- Beside each gap, there is a drop down word list to select answer from.
- Select the option the fills the gap best.
- In order to change the response, left click to chosse different option.
Multiple Choice with Mutiple Answers: After reading the text given, a MCQ question based on the content nd tone of the text is to be answered. Candidates have to select more than one option. Prompt length is of 300 words.
- Candidates have to select response options that they thimk are correct from the list of options.
- Options selected are ighlighted in yellow.
- Candidates can change their response by left click and selecting alternate response.
Re-Order Paragraphs: Text boxes appear on screen in random order. candidates have to put the boxes in correct order. Prompt length is of 150 words. Candidates have to restore the text boxes in original position. Text can be moved in two ways:
- Left click on the box( will be outlined in blue), hold the left mouse button and drop it to right location.
- Left click to select the box and use left/ right or up/down arrow buttons to move the box across.
In order to deselct a box, candidates can left click on the screen anywhere.
Fill in the Blanks: Text is displayed on screen with gaps in between. Prompt length is of 80 words.
- A passage is given with missing words along with a list of words to fill in the gaps in the text.
- Words provided are more than te number of gaps. all words are not to be used.
- Left click on the words to select it and drag it to the desired gap.
- In order to remove a word from the gap, drag it back to the word box.
Multiple Choice with Single Answer: Based on content and tone of the given passage a MCQ question is to be answered. Prompt length is of 300 words.
- There can be several suitable responses but only one best option is to be selected.
- The option selected is highlighted in yellow.
- Candidates can change their response by left click and selecting alternate response.
Part 3: Listening Test Pattern
Listening section is 45-57 minutes long. Questions are asked through audio and video clip. Candidates should listen to these clips carefully as they are played only once. Candidates can make notes and adjust volumes as needed.
