Pearson
PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English Academic
A computer-based, AI-scored academic English proficiency test accepted by universities worldwide and approved for visa and migration purposes in several countries. Non-native speakers take it for admission, professional registration, and immigration.
What's on the exam
PTE Academic test format (Pearson)
Speaking & Writing
~55%Read aloud and repeat sentence · Describe image and re-tell lecture · Answer short question · Summarize written text · Write essay
Reading
~20%Multiple-choice (single and multiple answers) · Re-order paragraphs · Reading fill in the blanks · Reading and writing fill in the blanks · Academic passage comprehension
Listening
~25%Summarize spoken text · Multiple-choice from audio · Fill in the blanks · Highlight correct summary and incorrect words · Write from dictation
Frequently asked questions
How much does the PTE Academic cost?
Fees vary. Fees vary by country (commonly ~$200–300); set by the local test center.
How long is the PTE Academic and how many questions does it have?
About 20 task types across the three parts (counts vary per test form) — About 2 to 2.5 hours total (Speaking & Writing ~76–84 min; Reading ~22–30 min; Listening ~31–39 min).
What do you need to pass the PTE Academic?
No pass/fail — overall and per-skill scores on a 10–90 scale (Global Scale of English aligned); institutions set their own requirements.
Can you retake the PTE Academic?
Unlimited retakes once prior results are released.
What is the best way to study for the PTE Academic?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Speaking & Writing ~55%, Reading ~20%, Listening ~25%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.
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