PTE Exam Pattern & Format 2024: Sections-Wise Format, Marking Scheme

Understanding the 2024 PTE exam pattern is crucial for everyone preparing to take the test. As someone who recently took the exam, I can attest to its importance. 

In the guide, we’ll delve into the PTE Academic exam sections, marking schemes, and recent updates. Familiarizing yourself with these details can significantly help you make an effective preparation strategy and boost your chances of success. 

Let's dive in to explore the important PTE details!

PTE Exam Overview

Category	Information
PTE Eligibility Criteria	Applicants should be aged at least 16 years
Testing Availability	Throughout the year
Test Duration	2 hours
Exam Format	Speaking and Writing: 54-67 minutes. Reading: 29-30 minutes Listening: 30-43 minutes
Registration Formalities	PTE exam registrations can be done online via the official Pearson PTE Academic website
Test Charges	₹14,700
Test Results & Score Scale	PTE results get available within 48 hours and are sent to candidates within five business days. The score ranges between from 10-to 90

What is PTE Academic Exam

The PTE Academic exam is designed to assess a person's knowledge of English through listening, reading, speaking and writing. Its results can be used for proof of foreign language ability when applying to leading global colleges & universities and even in the visa applications for the USA, the UK, and Australia. 

More than 3,500 colleges and universities globally accept PTE exam scores to evaluate a student’s English language fluency.

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Types of PTE Tests and Their Uses

The PTE exam, accepted worldwide by colleges, governments, and organizations, is categorized into two main types: PTE Academic and UK Government Tests (formerly known as PTE General). 

• The PTE Academic Exam is taken for study, work, and migration purposes in English-speaking countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, and New Zealand. 
• The UK Government Tests include four different types of tests: PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home A1, PTE Home A2, and PTE Home B1. 

PTE Academic UKVI is essential for pursuing non-degree study programs in the UK. PTE Home A1 is for work or family visa applications, while PTE Home A2 is required for extending family visas. For permanent settlement in the UK, candidates should opt for PTE Home B1.

Importance of Understanding PTE Exam Pattern

Why is it important to understand the PTE exam pattern? Knowing the PTE Exam pattern is essential because it helps to prepare effectively for the test. Thorough insights on the exam structure, the expected question types, and the time allocated for each section enables test takers to manage their time better and improve their performance.

Are There Any Recent Changes to PTE Exam Pattern

The latest change in the PTE Academic exam pattern is that it is now shorter and can be taken in two hours. The new two-hour PTE test now includes an overall range of 52-64 questions compared to 70-82 questions previously. 

The 10-minute optional break has also been removed. The same question types will feature in the test, although the frequency of some of them will be reduced. 

Purpose of PTE Exam

The PTE Academic exam is designed to measure the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. It serves as a standard assessment tool for individuals seeking to study or immigrate to English-speaking countries, ensuring they have the necessary language skills to succeed in academic and professional environments.

Additionally, it is also accepted for work and migration visas in countries like New Zealand and Australia. Hence, the purpose of the PTE examination is clear:  it helps aspirants build the foundations for their future professional and academic pathways by certifying their English language proficiency levels.

Who Should Consider Taking PTE Exam

Let us now look at the top reasons for choosing the PTE exam. The PTE Academic exam is suitable for the following categories of test takers: 

• Students: Those applying to colleges and universities in English-speaking countries should take the PTE Academic exam to demonstrate their English language proficiency skills. 
• Visa-Seekers: Those applying for migration visas in countries like Australia and New Zealand should take the PTE to qualify. It is also helpful for demonstrating English language proficiency when applying for student, work, and other visas in several English-speaking nations. 
• Professionals: Those applying for jobs in English-speaking countries can benefit from the PTE for professional registration and meeting employers’ English language proficiency requirements.

What is General PTE Format and Time Allocation

The PTE Academic is of two hours, and the exam is divided into three main sections:

1. Speaking and Writing: The time taken to complete this section is 54-67 minutes and it has seven types of questions. 
2. Reading: This section takes around 29-30 minutes with five question types. 
3. Listening: This section requires 30-43 minutes and comes with eight types of questions. 

The following table will provide a better understanding of the PTE exam format.

Sections	Tasks/Questions Type	Time allotted
Listening	MCQs to pick single answers, MCQs to pick multiple answers, Writing from dictation, Summarizing spoken text, Fill in the blanks, and Highlighting incorrect words.	30-43 minutes
Speaking & Writing	Essay writing, Reading loudly, Re-tell lectures, Introduction, Summarizing written text, Repetition of a sentence, and Answering short questions.	54-67 minutes
Reading	Rearrange paragraphs, Fill in the blanks, MCQs for a single answer, MCQs for multiple answers.	29-30 minutes

PTE Exam Structure: Section-Wise Details 

The PTE exam pattern is uniform across countries that accept PTE test scores, though the cut-off may vary. 

Let us look at each PTE section in detail.

Speaking and Writing

This section tests the examinees’ speaking and writing abilities. It requires 54-67 minutes and has six portions. Here is a closer look:

Segment-Wise Pattern	Duration/Time Required
Personal Introduction	Total 55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record answer
Read Aloud	30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words
Repeat Sentence	Total 15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record answer
Describe Image	40seconds are granted to study the image as well as prepare your response on the same
Re-Tell Lecture	90 seconds for prompt length, 10 seconds to prepare, and 40 seconds to answer
Answer Short Question	3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer
Summarize Written Text	10 minutes to answer to text prompt of 300 words
Essay	20 minutes to answer to text prompt of 2-3 sentences

• Description of each task: Includes personal introduction, read aloud, repeat a sentence, describe an image, re-tell lecture, answer short questions, summarize written text, and essay writing.
• Tips for preparation: Practice speaking clearly and confidently, work on time management, and develop structured writing skills.
• Common mistakes to avoid: Speaking too quickly, mispronouncing words, and not following the essay structure.
• Scoring criteria: Based on content, oral fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and written discourse.
• Estimated time allocation for each part: Speaking & Writing section takes about 54-67 minutes.

Reading

This section tests the examinees’ ability to understand instructions. It is divided into five segments that must be completed in 29-30 minutes. Here is a closer look:

Section Pattern	Time Varies Based on Length of Text Prompt
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks	Read 300 words of text
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers	Read 300 words of text
Re-Order Paragraphs	Read 150 words of text
Reading: Fill in the Blanks	Read 80 words of text
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks	Read 300 words of text

• Task-specific strategies: Skim the text for main ideas, practice reading comprehension, and manage time effectively.
• Scoring guidelines: Focus on content accuracy and comprehension.
• Key skills assessed: Reading comprehension, interpretation, and analytical skills.
• Time management tips: Allocate time per question and avoid spending too much time on difficult questions.

Listening

This section tests the examiners’ ability to understand spoken English. It covers 30-43 minutes and has eight sub-segments. Here is a closer look:

Pattern of Section	Time Taken/Duration
Summarize Spoken Text	60-90 seconds to retain 50-70 words, 10 minutes to write
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer	40-90 seconds for prompt
Fill in the Blanks	30-60 seconds
Highlight Correct Summary	30-90 seconds
Multiple Choice, Single Answer	30-60 seconds
Select Missing Word	20-70 seconds
Highlight Incorrect Words	15-50 seconds
Write From Dictation	3-5 seconds for hearing

• Detailed description of listening tasks: Includes summarizing spoken text, multiple choice questions, filling in the blanks, highlighting correct summary, selecting missing words, and highlighting incorrect words.
• Effective listening strategies: Practice active listening, take notes efficiently, and familiarize yourself with different accents.
• Note-taking techniques: Use shorthand and keywords to capture the main points.
• Explanation of scoring: Based on content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.

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How is PTE Exam Scored Overall

The PTE Academic Exam is scored using an automated system that evaluates responses based on predefined criteria. Scores range from 10 to 90, reflecting the test-taker's ability to use English in academic settings. 

More information is given below:

1. The examination comes with an overall score and four communicative skills scores (listening, reading, writing, speaking).
2. Aspirants must complete 52-64 tasks in tests with a range of 20 different types of tasks. 
3. This score is based on performance throughout the entire test and is not an average calculation of the communicative skills scores.
4. The range for the communicative skills scores is also between 10-90 points.

What Details Are Available About Scoring Criteria for Each Section

Each section of the PTE Academic Exam has specific scoring criteria. 

• Speaking & Writing: They are scored on content, pronunciation, and fluency. 
• Reading: It is scored based on comprehension and accuracy.  
• Listening: This section is evaluated on the ability to understand and summarize spoken content. 

In most cases, you will require a minimum of 36-50 for foundation courses, 51-60 for undergraduate degrees, and 57-67 for postgraduate degree courses. 

Find PTE Exam Dates in or near by Your City

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How Does PTE Scoring Algorithm Work

• The scoring algorithm employs advanced machine-learning techniques for consistent and accurate scoring.
• It evaluates different aspects of language proficiency, including grammar, vocabulary, and coherence, across various test sections.
• Automated scoring is a proprietary and patented Pearson technology used to automatically score test-takers' performance.
• The engines for automated scoring are trained to assess both spoken and written PTE Academic tasks.

Top Tips to Prepare for PTE Exam

Here are some of the top tips to prepare for the PTE exam:

1. Familiarize yourself with the exam format: Understand the types of questions and tasks in each section.
2. Practice regularly: Use official PTE practice materials and take mock tests.
3. Improve language skills: Focus on enhancing your speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities.
4. Time management: Practice completing tasks within the given time limits.
5. Seek feedback: Use automated scoring tools or seek feedback from instructors to identify and work on weak areas.

Read More: PTE Preparation Tips

PTE Exam Result 

Now that you are aware of the PTE exam pattern, its key segments, and its scoring, you can start preparing for the test effectively. Aspirants must also note that the validity of PTE exam scores is two years, much like TOEFL and IELTS. 

In addition, you can send your PTE exam marks to as many colleges/universities as you want, without any limit.

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Syllabus For PTE Exam	PTE Scores & PTE Results

Conclusion 

The 2024 PTE exam pattern offers a comprehensive assessment of English proficiency through its sections on speaking and writing, reading, and listening. The computer-based format ensures consistent scoring, and the clear marking scheme helps candidates understand evaluation criteria. 

Thoroughly understanding the PTE exam structure allows effective preparation for achieving high scores. Waste no time, and start the groundwork to ace the exam.