PTE Academic Exam Pattern
Understand the exact structure of the PTE Academic test, including every question type and timing for each part.
Exam Pattern for PTE Academic
Every question type in the PTE Academic test with the typical number of questions you can expect.
| Question Type | Avg Questions | |
|---|---|---|
Speaking & Writing | Read Aloud | 6-7 |
| Repeat Sentence | 10-12 | |
| Describe Image | 5-6 | |
| Retell Lecture | 2-3 | |
| Answer Short Question | 5-6 | |
| Summarize Group Discussion | 2-3 | |
| Respond to a Situation | 2-3 | |
| Summarize Written Text | 2 | |
| Write Essay | 1 | |
Reading | Fill in the Blanks (Drop-down) | 5-6 |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 2-3 | |
| Re-order Paragraphs | 2-3 | |
| Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) | 4-5 | |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 2-3 | |
Listening | Summarize Spoken Text | 1 |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 2-3 | |
| Fill in the Blanks | 2-3 | |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 2-3 | |
| Select Missing Word | 1-2 | |
| Highlight Correct Summary | 2-3 | |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 2-3 | |
| Write From Dictation | 3-4 |
About the PTE Academic Test
PTE Academic is a computer-delivered English test accepted by universities, colleges and immigration programs worldwide. Every task - including Speaking - is scored by Pearson's automated engine, which removes examiner bias and gets results back fast.
PTE Academic Exam Sections and Question Types
The test is split into three parts, taken in one sitting: Speaking & Writing (~54-67 minutes), Reading (~29-30 minutes), and Listening (~30-43 minutes) - about 2 hours in total.
Many PTE tasks are "integrated" - a single answer can contribute to more than one of your four Communicative Skills scores. See the table above for every question type and how many of each to expect.
How to Prepare for PTE Academic with a Free Mock Test
Since PTE is AI-scored, getting comfortable with the exact task formats matters as much as your English level - things like speaking clearly into a microphone under time pressure, or typing essay responses within the word limit.
Practet offers a free PTE Academic mock test and practice for every question type, so you can build speed and accuracy, and use our PTE score calculator to track progress toward your target score.