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PTE Academic Overview

  • Exam Name: The Pearson Language Test (PTE) – Academic.
  • Description: The test assesses a candidate's English skills under four sections – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
  • Suitable for: Students seeking admission in graduate programs in countries where English is the first language.
  • Countries in Which Accepted: The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The USA, Ireland, Germany, and Singapore.
  • Score Range: 10-90 points in each section.
  • Flexibility: You can book test 48 hours in advance, attempt it innumerable times, and reschedule as needed.
  • Exam Cost: INR 13,300.

About PTE Academic

Getting admission in a reputed university requires a unique skill set. So competitive is this arena that your academic performance is not the only metric that confirms your admission. You also need to have the necessary language skills, especially if you intend to study in a country where English is the native language. One such test that most foreign universities insist on is the Pearson Language Test (Academic).

The Pearson Language Test (Academic) assesses your overall English language proficiency. A first-of-its-kind computer-based English language test, it measures your English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills to ensure that you can study in an international environment. The PTE test is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and is designed to provide rapid and convenient testing solutions while eliminating human bias. The PTE Academic test was first launched in 2009 by Pearson Inc., following a comprehensive research program led by the world's leading language assessment experts. Colleges and universities around the globe widely accept this English language test. The test is taken by students from 180 nationalities, speaking 115 different languages.

A good score in the PTE exam can help you secure a seat in a school of your choice. It also stands as a testimony to your English language skills and enables you to gain international exposure after graduating.

PTE ACADEMIC HISTORY + QUICK FACTS

  • Launched in 2009 by Pearson Inc
  • Fully Computer-oriented Test
  • Results Available Within 5 Days of Taking The Test
  • Send Your Scores To Universities Directly Through Pearson's Website
  • PTE Academic Scorecard is Valid for 2 Years from the Exam Date
  • You Cannot Go Back to a Previous Question


What's New

What's New

There are no specific changes to the construct of the PTE test or how scores are assigned. However, per the 2020 PTE and IELTS Concordance Report, the scores of the PTE Academic are only adjusted in comparison with the IELTS Academic Tests. PTE Academic's alignment to TOEFL and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) remains unchanged.

For an IELTS score of 6.5 and below, the concordant PTE Academic scores are the same points lower on the scale despite being in the same range.

For an IELTS score of 7.5 and above, the concordant PTE Academic scores are the same points higher on the scale despite being in the same range.


Here's a table highlighting the changes

PTE Academic (Original)

 < 29* 30 36 42 50 58 65 73 79 83 86

PTE Academic (Updated)

 < 22* 23 29 36 46 56 66 76 84 89 N/A

IELTS

 0 → 4.0 ← 4.5 → ← 5.0 → ← 5.5 → ← 6.0 → ← 6.5 → ← 7.0 → ← 7.5 → ← 8.0 → ← 8.5 → ← 9.0

*This score range is an estimate only as we have been unable to collect score concordance data at these levels.

PTE Academic Eligibility

The following are the eligibility criteria to appear for the PTE Academic Exam:

  • The nationality of the candidate

    The PTE Academic exam is open to students of all nationalities, who have to follow the same set of rules governing the exam. However, the exam may only be taken by candidates who have a valid, current, and legible identity proof document (typically a passport), as mentioned on the PTE official website.

  • The age of the candidate

    Students over the age of 16 years can take the PTE Academic exam. The official PTE website has not mentioned any specific upper-age limit. Candidates in the 16-18 years age group must fill and submit a parental consent form in advance. You may download the parental consent form from the official PTE Exam website.

  • Age limit

    The College Board has not set any specific lower or upper limit for students who wish to appear for the SAT exam. The conducting body's only requirement is that the students appearing for the exam should have completed their high school education. Most of the candidates appearing for the SAT exam are in the 17-19 years age group.

  • The educational qualifications of the candidate

    The PTE Academic board has not specified any eligibility criteria for educational qualifications. The only criterion is that one should be fluent in the English language to appear for the exam.

PTE Academic Registration

All PTE Academic test takers have to pay the exam registration fee. Indian students appearing for the exam have to pay a fee of Rs. 13,300/-. This fee is applicable only if you book your slot at least 14 days in advance.

Optional Fees:

Apart from the standard registration fees, there are other charges which may or may not apply to every candidate. These include late fees, exam rescheduling, and cancellation fees.

Late registration fees

PTE allows candidates to book their seats up to 48 hours in advance. However, if you do use this option, you will have to pay an additional late booking fee of Rs. 695/-

Rescheduling fees

You can change your exam dates without incurring additional costs if you place the request at least 14 calendar days in advance. If you decide to reschedule your appointment between 7-14 days before the test, you have to pay an additional 50% of the original test fee. However, if you place a rescheduling request 7 days before the test date, you will not be eligible for any refunds

Cancelling fees

If you choose not to appear for your PTE Academic exam, you may cancel your appointment and claim a refund. You need to place the cancellation request via the PTE official website. You need to cancel at least 14 days before your test date to be eligible for a full refund on the PTE exam fee. If you choose to cancel your appointment in the 7-14 days before the exam window, you will be eligible for a refund of 50% of your PTE exam cost. However, if you cancel the exam less than 7 days before the exam, you will not be eligible for any refunds.


Steps to Register for PTE Academy
3-step PTE registration

  1. Create your Pearson account and login
  2. Locate your nearest test centre and book your seat
  3. Pay the registration fee

Here's how you can register for the PTE Academic Exam:

  1. Create your account and select PTE Academic
    Create your account on the official website of the PTE Exam at https://in.pearson.com and choose PTE Academic. The account will be activated within 48 hours.

  2. Locate your nearest exam centre and book your seat
    Browse through the list of exam centres and choose one near you. Select your preferred exam date and time to book your seat.

  3. Pay the registration fees
    Confirm your booking by paying the PTE Academic registration fee of 13,300/-

Pay your PTE exam fee within minutes using the DBS Bank remittance services.

PTE Academic Structure

Section

Time Alloted

Number of Segments

Skills Assessed

Score Range

The Reading Section

32-41 minutes

5 segments

English Comprehension

10-90 points

The Listening Section

45-57 minutes

8 segments

Listening from Pre-recorded Audios

10-90 points

The Speaking & Writing Section

77-91 minutes

6 segments

English Writing & Speaking Fluency

10-90 points

The Pearson Language Test Academic test is divided into three sections as under:

1. The reading section

This section tests candidates based on their ability to comprehend written instructions in the English language. The reading section is divided into 5 segments of 150 to 300 words each. The time given to read each passage depends on the length of the text. You have to answer multiple-choice questions, fill in the blanks, and re-order paragraphs . You are given 32 to 41 minutes to answer questions in this section of the PTE exam.

2. The listening section

You have to listen to pre-recorded audio files, retain the information played in the audio, and answer the questions accordingly. The listening section of the test lasts for approximately 45 to 57 minutes. It is divided into 8 segments with specific time durations. The sections include multiple-choice questions with single and multiple answers, fill in the blanks, select and remove the missing words, highlight incorrect words, write from dictation, highlight the correct summary played on the audio files and summarise the spoken text.

3. Speaking and writing sections

The speaking and writing sections are combined and comprise six small sub-sections with specific time durations. You are tested on how fluently you can speak and write in English. The time provided to answer questions in these combined sections is 77 to 93 minutes. The subsections in this portion of the PTE exam include a personal introduction, reading aloud, repeating sentences, describing images, retelling a lecture, answering short questions, summarising written text, and writing an essay.

PTE Academic Score Calculation

PTE Academic scoring system is divided into two types:

  1. Correct/Incorrect (C/I): You get 1 point for every correct answer and 0 for every incorrect answer. There is no negative marking.

  2. Partial Credit (PC): A section of the PTE exam questions is scored as correct, partially correct or incorrect. If your responses to these questions are entirely correct, you will be awarded the maximum points for that section. However, if your answers are only partly correct and not entirely, you will be awarded some points from the maximum score possible, but not full scores in that section. As always, if your responses are incorrect, you will not receive any points.

Here's a look at the section-wise score calculation of the PTE Academic exam.

Section 1: Speaking and Writing

Sub Section

Type of Score

Language Traits Scored

Read Aloud

PC

Reading and speaking oral fluency, pronunciation content

Repeat Sentence

PC

Reading and speaking oral fluency, pronunciation content

Describe Image

PC

Reading and speaking oral fluency, pronunciation content

Retell Lecture

PC

Reading and speaking oral fluency, pronunciation content

Answer Short Questions

C/I

Listening and speaking vocabulary

Summarise Written Text

PC

Reading and writing grammar, vocabulary content, form

Essay

PC

Grammar, writing spelling, vocabulary, written discourse content; general linguistic range, sentence form, development, structure

Section 2: Reading

Sub Section

Type of Score

Language Traits Scored

Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer

C/I

Reading

Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers

PC

Reading

Re-Order Paragraphs

PC

Reading

Fill in the blanks

PC

Reading and writing

Section 3: Listening

Sub Section

Type of Score

Language Traits Scored

Summarise Spoken Text

PC

Listening and writing grammar, vocabulary, spelling content, form

Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers

PC

Listening

Fill in the blanks

PC

Listening and writing

Highlight Correct Summary

C/I

Listening and reading

Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answers

C/I

Listening

Select Missing Word

C/I

Listening

Highlight Incorrect Words

PC

Listening and reading

Write From Dictation

PC

Listening and writing

  • The PTE Academic exam scorecard includes your overall score as well as your communication and enabling skills scores. The overall score represents your general English language skills and ranges from 10-90 points.
  • Communicative skills scores, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking, are scored in the same range, i.e., 10-90 points.
  • Enabling skills scores that measure fluency, pronunciation, spellings, vocabulary, and written discourse are also calculated in the 10-90 points range.

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PTE Preparation Tips

Pro tips to get a good score in the PTE Academic Test

Pro tip
  • Thoroughly understand the test format and the type of questions
  • Practice your pronunciations using free online surveys that convert speech to text
  • Improve your fluency by speaking at a moderate pace
  • Make it a habit to read texts and literature of different fields, voraciously
  • Practice summarising paragraphs and texts
  • Listen to Ted Talks and Podcasts to improve your listening skills

 

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the Academic PTE exam.

  • Understand and evaluate your current English Language Proficiency, take scored practice tests available on the official PTE exam website, and compare it with the goal you intend to achieve.
  • Use mock tests to understand how you need to manage your time when you appear for the PTE exam.
  • Familiarise yourself with the format of the exam and understand how it is structured. You should know the sections and sub-sections, the type and number of questions asked and the time allotted to each section. Learn about the layout of questions, i.e., how they are presented on screen.
  • Understand how your answers are scored. While some answers are scored purely on correctness, others are scored on the quality of response and formal aspects.
  • Refer to good quality preparation material available online. You can find both paid and free preparation materials.
  • You can also consider taking an English language course at dedicated centres and through online platforms. The course can help you polish your English language skills in any areas that may need extra attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the PTE Academic tests multiple times? What is the maximum number of times that I can take the test?

Yes, you can take the PTE Academic test multiple times. There is no set limit on the number of times you can take the test. However, the only condition is that you need to wait to receive your scores before booking another slot to retake the test.

When and where can I check my Academic PTE exam scores?

You can check your Academic PTE exam scores directly through your PTE account created at the time of registration. You will also receive an e-mail stating your results are posted in your PTE online account. Your results are sent to you within 48 hours of taking the test.

At what time should I arrive at the PTE test centre?

You need to arrive at least half an hour before your test is due to start. This is necessary since you have to complete your check-in and pass security.

What documents are accepted as ID at the test centre?

Indian students appearing for the PTE need to provide their passport as the accepted form of ID. The ID document, passport, in this case, should show you name in Roman characters (A-Z) along with a recognisable photograph and your signature.

Why is palm vein recognition scan done, and is it safe?

Palm vein recognition scan enables test takers to check your identity and ensure no one else is taking the test on your behalf. The scanner uses a near-infrared light source and does not touch you at all, making it safe.

Am I allowed to take notes during the PTE Academic exam?

Yes, you are. You will be provided with an erasable note board booklet (5 sheets of A4 size paper. You may also ask for another booklet if needed. However, You are not permitted to make notes until the test begins

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