Free to start · 28 lessons · 3 mock exams · about 36 h of study
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About the exam
PTE Academic is Pearson’s computer-based English proficiency test for people who need proof of academic English for university admission, professional registration, and visa or migration purposes in countries including Australia, New Zealand and the UK. It is taken on a computer, scored by AI, and reports an overall score plus communicative skills scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing on the 10–90 scale.
A top score shows that you can understand, produce and integrate English at a very high level across speaking, writing, reading and listening, including the integrated tasks that make PTE distinctive. Because performance depends on both language level and test method, strong preparation needs more than generic English practice.
Courselo gets you there with a lesson for every current item type and skill, adaptive practice that targets your weak points, full exam-faithful mock tests, a predicted score based on your performance, and a study plan that tells you what to do next. The aim is simple: no surprises on test day, and enough focused practice to convert your English ability into the highest score you can earn.
Format
How the test runs.
2 h in total · 3 sections
#SectionTimeQuestionsScore
1Speaking & Writing1 h 5 min · 10-90 overall; contributes to Speaking and/or Writing1 h 5 min–10-90 overall; contributes to Speaking and/or Writing
Part 1. Integrated speaking and writing tasks, plus the unscored Personal Introduction.
Question types
Speaking task: Personal Introduction (unscored)
Speaking task: Read Aloud
Speaking task: Repeat Sentence
Speaking task: Describe Image
Scoring
How it’s scored.
PTE score
10–90
1030507090
Target
Score targets
Top marks
A common high-end target for selective admissions and strong profile reporting.
85
Syllabus
Everything on the test.
3 units · 28 topics · about 36 h of lessons and core practice
i.Speaking & writing13 topics · ≈ 55% of the testTimed speaking and writing tasks assess spoken delivery, content control and written organization across integrated and standalone responses in the first and longest part of PTE Academic.13 topics ≈ 55% of the test
Test interface, timing and Personal Introduction
≈ <1%45 min
This topic covers the current PTE Academic Speaking & Writing test flow, on-screen controls, response timing, and the unscored Personal Introduction. It is tested through successful navigation of the computer-based interface and correct handling of recording states, instructions, and time limits at the start of Part 1.
Identify the sequence and delivery mode of Speaking & Writing tasks within the current computer-based PTE Academic format.
Your course
What you get.
AI-generated · reviewedParts of this course are generated from the official specification the first time they’re needed, then checked and kept.
Lessons
28
One for every syllabus topic, generated from the official specification and checked
Practice questions
Adaptive
Generated for each topic as you practise, checked before you see them, each with an explanation
Mock exams
3
Questions
Your questions, answered.
How is the overall PTE score calculated if the test has four communicative skills scores?
The overall score is reported on the same 10–90 scale as Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing, but it is not calculated by simply averaging those four skills. PTE uses item-level scoring, and many tasks are integrated, so one response can affect more than one skill as well as the overall score.
Are all tasks scored only by AI?
PTE Academic is an AI-scored test, and Pearson also states that there is human review of content on seven item types. For preparation, that means candidates should optimise for clear, task-faithful performance, not for tricks or unnatural gaming of the system.
Your PTE Academic plan starts here. Built around your date.
Set a target and a test date. You’ll take a diagnostic, see a predicted score with its range, and get a plan for every week until the exam.
Official test forms vary in the number of items within this part. Many tasks have fixed preparation and recording/writing times set by the system.
2Reading30 min · 10-90 overall; contributes to Reading and sometimes Writing30 min–10-90 overall; contributes to Reading and sometimes Writing
Part 2. Reading-only and integrated reading-writing items under a section timer.
Question types
Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks
Multiple choice (multiple answers)
Multiple choice (single answer)
Ordering
Fill in the Blanks
Official test forms vary slightly in item count. The current Reading part is short and heavily time-pressured.
3Listening25 min · 10-90 overall; contributes to Listening and sometimes Writing25 min–10-90 overall; contributes to Listening and sometimes Writing
Part 3. Audio-based tasks completed after Reading.
Question types
Free response: Summarize Spoken Text
Multiple choice (multiple answers)
Multiple choice (single answer)
Fill in the Blanks
Multiple choice: Highlight Correct Summary
Multiple choice: Select Missing Word
Multiple response: Highlight Incorrect Words
Free response: Write from Dictation
Audio usually plays once only. Official test forms vary in the number of items and exact running time.
In total2 h
Delivery. PTE Academic is delivered as a single computer-based test at a Pearson test centre. All responses are entered on screen or through a headset microphone; scoring is AI-based, with human review of content on some item types.
The full format notesShowHide
The test is taken in one sitting on a computer and currently lasts about 2 hours in three parts taken in this order: Speaking & Writing, Reading, then Listening. There is no scheduled break in the standard test flow.
Most tasks are time-controlled by the system. In Speaking & Writing, many prompts have their own preparation and response times and then auto-advance. Reading runs under a section timer, so time management matters across the whole part. In Listening, the audio normally plays once only, and you answer as the section progresses.
You cannot go back to an earlier part once it has ended. Navigation within a live part depends on the task design, but candidates should assume that once a response is submitted or a timed item ends, it cannot be revisited.
There is no calculator in PTE Academic.
Competitive university target
Often used as a strong admissions benchmark, though requirements vary by institution and programme.
76
Common admissions threshold
A frequent approximate target range for many courses and visa-related uses.
65
Foundation target
A useful milestone if starting below typical university-entry levels.
50
PTE Academic reports five scaled scores from 10 to 90: one overall score plus four communicative skills scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
The exact raw-to-scaled conversion is proprietary and is not published as a full official table. The curve above is therefore an exam-faithful planning approximation for course design, not an official Pearson conversion table.
How scoring works in practice
Every scored item contributes to overall score.
Many items also contribute to one or more communicative skills.
Because PTE has many integrated tasks, a single response can affect more than one reported skill.
Example: a spoken integrated task can influence Speaking and also the overall score.
Example: some reading-writing tasks can influence Reading and Writing.
The overall score is not a simple average of the four communicative skills.
Item scoring
Some items are scored correct / incorrect.
Some items use partial credit.
Some item types can also apply penalties for wrong choices when multiple responses are allowed.
Spoken and written constructed responses are scored by AI, with human review of content on seven item types.
What the blueprint assumes
For tutoring and progress tracking, raw performance is treated as a fraction from 0 to 1 and mapped to the reported 10–90 scale through the curve above. This gives realistic score movement across the range while preserving two truths about the live exam:
Gains are not perfectly linear; and
Integrated high-value item types matter disproportionately to strong score outcomes.
What scores mean6 bands
Band
From
Expert userVery strong academic and professional English control across skills.
85+
Very goodComfortable command for demanding study, registration and migration settings.
76+
GoodSolid operational English suitable for many university and visa thresholds.
59+
CompetentFunctional academic English with noticeable gaps under pressure or integration.
43+
LimitedBasic control, but not usually competitive for higher-entry uses.
30+
ElementaryEarly-stage performance on the reporting scale.
10+
Interpret on-screen instructions, countdowns, preparation time, response time, and microphone recording indicators before and during speaking tasks.
Apply correct test-centre response procedures for headset use, keyboard entry, item navigation, and answer submission in Part 1.
Explain the purpose and status of the Personal Introduction as an unscored task that is not included in the scored communicative skills.
Deliver a concise Personal Introduction that matches the prompt, remains appropriate in tone, and fits the available recording time.
Manage transition into the first scored speaking item without losing time through hesitation, interface confusion, or microphone mismanagement.
Pronunciation, oral fluency and microphone control
≈ 5%1 h 15 min
This topic focuses on the speaking traits that contribute across PTE Academic speaking item types: pronunciation, oral fluency, pacing, pausing, stress, intonation, and effective microphone use. The exam tests these through recorded spoken responses that are AI-scored across multiple Speaking & Writing tasks.
Explain how pronunciation and oral fluency are assessed across speaking tasks in PTE Academic.
Produce speech with intelligible segmental sounds, appropriate word stress, and clear sentence stress for an international academic context.
Maintain oral fluency through smooth phrasing, controlled pace, and limited unnecessary pauses, repetitions, and self-corrections.
Apply intonation and chunking to mark meaning, contrast, completion, and emphasis in extended spoken responses.
Position and use the headset microphone consistently to avoid clipping, low volume, popping, and variation in recording quality.
Monitor and adjust speaking volume, distance, and breathing so that speech remains clear from the first word to the end of the recording.
Read aloud
≈ 9%1 h 30 min
This topic covers Read Aloud: reading a written academic text aloud after preparation time into the microphone. The exam tests accurate decoding, prosody, pronunciation, and fluent delivery of the displayed text without omission or distortion.
Read a displayed text aloud accurately, preserving the words, grammar, and meaning of the prompt.
Use the preparation time to preview content, identify phrase boundaries, and anticipate pronunciation challenges.
Apply appropriate pausing, chunking, stress, and intonation to reflect punctuation and meaning in the text.
Maintain steady oral fluency from the first word, avoiding long delays, restarts, skipped lines, and rushed endings.
Pronounce academic vocabulary, function words, numbers, and proper nouns clearly enough for intelligible delivery.
Complete the response within the available recording time while sustaining accuracy and audibility.
Repeat sentence
≈ 11%2 h
This topic covers Repeat Sentence: listening to a sentence once and repeating it as accurately as possible into the microphone. The exam tests short-term auditory memory, sentence reconstruction, pronunciation, and fluent spoken reproduction.
Retain the key words, grammatical structure, and meaning of a spoken sentence after a single hearing.
Repeat a sentence with maximum possible accuracy in content, word order, and morphology.
Apply chunking and memory strategies to reconstruct longer sentences when exact recall is incomplete.
Produce the repeated sentence with clear pronunciation and continuous fluency rather than word-by-word hesitation.
Prioritize high-information content and core syntax when partial recall prevents a fully exact repetition.
Start and complete the spoken response promptly within the recording window.
Describe image
≈ 4%1 h 15 min
This topic covers Describe Image: planning and delivering a short spoken description of a visual prompt such as a graph, chart, map, table, process, or picture. The exam tests selection of salient information, spoken organization, and fluent, intelligible reporting of visual data.
Identify the image type and extract the main trend, key features, comparisons, or stages most relevant for description.
Organize a response with a clear opening, overview, and supporting details suited to the visual prompt.
Use accurate language for quantities, proportions, change, position, processes, and comparison when describing visuals.
Select only the most salient information instead of attempting to mention every detail in the image.
Speak fluently and coherently for the available time using connected phrases and controlled pacing.
Conclude the description clearly without trailing off, repeating content, or ending mid-sentence.
Re-tell lecture
≈ 7%2 h
This topic covers Re-tell Lecture: listening to a short lecture or explanatory talk, often supported by an image, then summarizing it orally. The exam tests listening comprehension, note selection, spoken summarization, and coherent delivery of main ideas and supporting points.
Identify the topic, purpose, and main ideas of a lecture from a single listening.
Take usable notes on key points, examples, causes, effects, sequences, and conclusions while listening.
Transform notes into a coherent spoken summary rather than a disconnected list of words or phrases.
Retell the lecture using accurate reporting language and logical sequencing of information.
Integrate relevant information from any accompanying image only when it supports the lecture content.
Maintain oral fluency and pronunciation quality while summarizing within the available response time.
Answer short question
≈ 2%45 min
This topic covers Answer Short Question: listening to a brief question and giving a short spoken answer, usually one or a few words. The exam tests rapid comprehension of everyday and academic knowledge questions and immediate, accurate spoken retrieval.
Interpret brief spoken questions quickly and identify the exact information being requested.
Retrieve and produce an accurate short answer using appropriate vocabulary or factual knowledge.
Distinguish common question patterns involving definition, function, category, location, person, object, and simple general knowledge.
Respond immediately and concisely without unnecessary fillers, reformulation, or extra explanation.
Pronounce short answers clearly enough for reliable recognition by the scoring system.
Note-taking for lecture and discussion audio prompts
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers note-taking methods for the audio-based speaking tasks that require post-listening production, especially Re-tell Lecture and Summarize Group Discussion. The exam tests the effectiveness of note capture indirectly through the quality, completeness, and organization of the spoken response.
Select a fast note-taking format for capturing topic, stance, key points, examples, and outcomes from spoken input.
Differentiate between main ideas and minor details while listening under one-time playback conditions.
Use abbreviations, symbols, arrows, and layout to record information efficiently without missing subsequent content.
Track speaker changes, agreements, disagreements, and decisions in discussion-style audio prompts.
Convert fragmented notes into a logically ordered spoken response with minimal dependence on full sentences in notes.
Avoid over-writing by prioritizing keywords and structure over transcription.
Summarize group discussion
≈ 3%1 h 30 min
This topic covers Summarize Group Discussion, a current Speaking & Writing task in which the test taker listens to a group discussion and then gives a spoken summary. The exam tests recognition of topic, viewpoints, areas of agreement or disagreement, and the ability to synthesize the discussion coherently in speech.
Identify the main topic, participants’ viewpoints, and the overall direction of a group discussion from a single listening.
Distinguish major arguments, supporting reasons, and examples from less important conversational detail.
Track agreement, disagreement, compromise, and any final preference, decision, or recommendation expressed in the discussion.
Summarize multiple speakers’ contributions in a neutral, integrated spoken response rather than as separate quotations.
Organize the response around the discussion’s key themes and outcomes using concise reporting language.
Deliver the summary fluently and clearly within the available recording time.
Respond to a situation
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers Respond to a Situation, a current Speaking & Writing task requiring a short spoken response to a practical scenario. The exam tests whether the candidate can understand the situation, select an appropriate communicative purpose, and respond clearly, directly, and suitably in spoken English.
Interpret the scenario, audience, and communicative purpose presented in the prompt.
Select an appropriate register, tone, and level of directness for the situation.
Produce a response that addresses the task fully through a relevant request, explanation, apology, suggestion, instruction, or other required function.
Include essential supporting details such as reason, action, timing, or outcome without becoming repetitive or off-topic.
Organize the response logically with a clear opening and follow-through suited to the situation.
Speak with clear pronunciation and steady fluency so that the response is easy to understand.
Summarize written text
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers Summarize Written Text: reading a short text and writing a concise summary of its main points in one sentence. The exam tests reading comprehension, selection of key ideas, paraphrasing, sentence control, and written accuracy under time pressure.
Identify the main idea and the most important supporting points in an academic text for inclusion in a summary.
Compose a one-sentence summary that captures the central meaning of the source text concisely and accurately.
Paraphrase source content using appropriate academic vocabulary and grammar while preserving original meaning.
Use correct sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and logical connection of ideas in the summary.
Exclude minor details, examples, and repetition that do not contribute to the core message.
Check the summary for completeness, grammatical accuracy, and adherence to the task requirement before submission.
Essay planning, structure and argument development
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers the pre-writing skills needed for Write Essay: analysing the prompt, generating ideas, selecting a position, structuring paragraphs, and developing arguments suitable for an academic essay. The exam tests these skills through the quality of organization, coherence, and development shown in the final timed essay.
Analyse an essay prompt to determine the topic, task focus, and required response scope.
Generate and select relevant ideas, examples, and reasons that can be developed within the available time.
Formulate a clear thesis or controlling position that directly answers the prompt.
Plan an essay with an effective introduction, body paragraph sequence, and conclusion.
Develop arguments with explanation and support rather than unsupported assertions or memorized content.
Use paragraphing and logical progression to create coherence across the whole essay.
Write essay
≈ 3%1 h 45 min
This topic covers Write Essay: composing a timed academic essay in response to a prompt on the computer. The exam tests written discourse, grammar, vocabulary, coherence, spelling, and the ability to present a relevant, well-developed argument in standard written English.
Write an essay that addresses the prompt directly with a clear position or controlling response.
Organize the essay into coherent paragraphs with effective introduction, development, and conclusion.
Develop each main point using explanation, comparison, cause-effect reasoning, or relevant exemplification.
Use a range of grammatical structures and academic vocabulary with sufficient accuracy for clear communication.
Apply appropriate cohesion through referencing, linking, and logical progression without overusing formulaic connectors.
Edit the final draft for grammar, spelling, punctuation, repetition, and obvious typing errors before submission.
About 17 h 30 min of study, lessons and core practice
ii.Reading6 topics · ≈ 22% of the testA single shared-time reading part tests comprehension, text organization, vocabulary, grammar and meaning from context through discrete and integrated item types.6 topics ≈ 22% of the test
Reading time management, academic vocabulary and context clues
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers how to manage the 30-minute Reading part across all current Reading item types, and how to use academic vocabulary knowledge and context clues to reach correct answers efficiently. In the exam, these abilities are tested indirectly through timed performance on Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Re-order Paragraphs, and Fill in the Blanks.
allocate time across Reading item types within the fixed Reading part and adjust pace when an item is taking too long
apply context clues from grammar, collocation, reference, cohesion, and overall meaning to predict or confirm answers
interpret common academic vocabulary, including word family, register, and meaning in context, when reading short academic texts
distinguish between lexical clues and discourse-level clues when selecting, ordering, or matching text
monitor answer progress on screen and use efficient on-screen reading behaviour without over-reading
evaluate when to make a best-supported choice and move on in order to protect time for remaining Reading items
Reading & Writing fill in the blanks
≈ 7%1 h 45 min
This topic focuses on Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks, where candidates complete gaps in a passage by selecting from drop-down options. The exam tests integrated reading and writing through grammar, vocabulary, collocation, and meaning in context.
select the best option for each blank by analysing grammar, collocation, and sentence meaning
use surrounding sentence and paragraph context to resolve vocabulary choices in a gapped passage
identify cues from word form, tense, agreement, article use, preposition choice, and fixed expressions
check completed passages for coherence and grammatical accuracy across all blanks
eliminate distractors that are possible in isolation but incorrect in the passage context
apply efficient item sequencing and review strategies appropriate to drop-down blank tasks
Multiple choice, multiple answers
≈ 3%1 h
This topic covers Reading Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, in which candidates read a text and select more than one correct response. The exam tests detailed reading, inferencing, and discrimination between supported ideas and distractors.
identify all answer options that are explicitly supported or best supported by the text
distinguish main ideas, supporting details, and inferences relevant to the question stem
evaluate each option independently against the passage rather than against other options only
reject options that contain partial truth, overgeneralisation, or wording not supported by the text
use evidence from the text to justify multiple selections under time pressure
apply risk-aware selection strategy appropriate to multiple-answer reading items
Multiple choice, single answer
≈ 2%45 min
This topic focuses on Reading Multiple Choice, Single Answer, where candidates choose the one correct option after reading a text. The exam tests accurate comprehension of gist, detail, purpose, attitude, and inference.
identify the single best answer by matching the question stem to the text accurately
interpret gist, specific detail, writer purpose, tone, or inference as required by the item
compare close answer options and eliminate distractors using textual evidence
recognise paraphrase between the passage and answer options
avoid choices based on outside knowledge or familiar wording not supported by the text
apply efficient rereading to confirm one best-supported answer
Re-order paragraphs
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers Re-order Paragraphs, where candidates arrange text boxes into the original logical sequence. The exam tests understanding of cohesion and coherence through discourse markers, reference, chronology, and topic development.
identify the probable opening paragraph by locating general statements, topic introduction, or the absence of backward reference
sequence paragraphs using pronoun reference, repetition of key terms, substitution, and article use
use discourse markers, cause-effect links, contrast, exemplification, and chronology to determine paragraph order
track topic development from introduction through explanation or example to conclusion
test and confirm local paragraph pairings before checking the full sequence for coherence
avoid common ordering errors caused by superficial lexical repetition without logical continuation
Fill in the blanks
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic focuses on Reading Fill in the Blanks, where candidates drag answer options into gaps in a passage. The exam tests vocabulary knowledge, collocation, grammar, and global text meaning through option matching in context.
match answer options to blanks by using grammatical fit, collocation, and passage meaning
identify the correct word or phrase form required by syntax and surrounding context
use paragraph-level meaning to choose between semantically similar options
eliminate options that fit one sentence partly but weaken cohesion or meaning across the passage
review all completed blanks together to confirm a coherent and accurate text
manage drag-and-drop answer entry accurately and efficiently under timed conditions
About 7 h 30 min of study, lessons and core practice
iii.Listening9 topics · ≈ 23% of the testOne-play academic audio tasks assess listening for gist and detail, note-taking, summary writing, transcription accuracy and recognition of exact wording.9 topics ≈ 23% of the test
Listening note-taking, prediction and answer entry
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers the core process skills used across the Listening part: following one-play audio, taking efficient notes, predicting likely content, and entering answers accurately on the computer. The exam tests these skills indirectly across all Listening item types, especially where candidates must retain key ideas, track detail, and transfer what they hear into selected or typed responses.
apply selective note-taking while listening once to academic and everyday spoken English
predict likely content, discourse moves, and lexical items from instructions, item format, on-screen text, and partial context
distinguish main ideas, supporting details, examples, attitudes, and signal words in continuous speech
monitor spelling, capitalization, and typed answer entry when transferring listening information to the response field
use item-specific listening strategies without relying on replay, pause, or a calculator
Summarize spoken text
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers Summarize Spoken Text, in which candidates listen to a lecture or talk and write a summary of the main points. The exam tests integrated listening and writing through accurate content selection, organisation, grammar, vocabulary, and written control under time pressure.
identify the main idea and key supporting points in a spoken lecture or presentation
select relevant content from notes and exclude minor, repeated, or irrelevant details
compose a coherent written summary of the recording in clear academic English
organize information logically using complete sentences and appropriate linking
apply accurate grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation while summarizing spoken input
Multiple choice, multiple answers
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, where candidates listen once and choose more than one correct option. The exam tests detailed comprehension, inference, and discrimination between correct information, partial matches, and distractors.
identify all options that are supported by the recording
distinguish explicitly stated information from implied meaning and unsupported distractors
evaluate options against the whole recording rather than isolated word matches
recognize paraphrase, reformulation, and contrast in spoken text when matching answer choices
manage risk when selecting multiple responses by checking each option independently
Multiple choice, single answer
≈ <1%45 min
This topic covers Listening Multiple Choice, Single Answer, where candidates select the one best answer after hearing the recording once. The exam tests understanding of gist, purpose, detail, and inference through comparison of closely related options.
identify the single option that best matches the recording
interpret gist, purpose, attitude, or specific detail as required by the question
eliminate distractors that are too broad, too narrow, partially correct, or unsupported
use contextual and discourse clues to resolve ambiguity between similar answer choices
Fill in the blanks
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers Listening Fill in the Blanks, where candidates listen to a recording while following a transcript with gaps and type the missing words. The exam tests real-time tracking of speech to text, recognition of exact words, and accurate spelling in context.
follow the on-screen transcript while listening and locate the position of each gap
identify the exact missing word or words from the spoken text
use grammatical and semantic context to anticipate likely word class and meaning
spell each missing word accurately as heard in the recording
track connected speech, reductions, and stress patterns that affect word recognition
Highlight correct summary
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers Highlight Correct Summary, where candidates choose the summary that best matches the recording. The exam tests comprehension of overall meaning, main points, speaker stance, and the ability to reject summaries with distorted or incomplete content.
identify the summary that best represents the recording as a whole
match main ideas and supporting points between the audio and the summary options
detect summaries that contain omissions, additions, distortions, or incorrect emphasis
use discourse structure and speaker viewpoint to evaluate competing summaries
Select missing word
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers Select Missing Word, where the final word or phrase of a recording is replaced by a beep and candidates choose the best completion. The exam tests prediction from context, understanding of the recording’s overall development, and recognition of the most plausible ending.
predict the missing final word or phrase from the meaning and structure of the recording
use the preceding context to evaluate the plausibility of each option
identify collocations, fixed expressions, and discourse patterns that signal the likely ending
select the completion that best fits the speaker’s final point, tone, or conclusion
Highlight incorrect words
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers Highlight Incorrect Words, where candidates compare a transcript with the recording and select words in the transcript that differ from what is said. The exam tests close listening, rapid visual tracking, and precise detection of mismatches in meaning or wording.
track the spoken text against the on-screen transcript in real time
identify words in the transcript that do not match the audio
distinguish exact mismatches from acceptable similarities in pronunciation or meaning
maintain place accurately while listening to continuous speech at natural speed
use lexical, grammatical, and contextual cues to confirm whether a transcript word is incorrect
Write from dictation
≈ 5%2 h
This topic covers Write from Dictation, where candidates hear a sentence and type it exactly. The exam tests integrated listening and writing through accurate retention of the complete sentence, including wording, word order, grammar, and spelling.
reconstruct the sentence exactly as spoken
retain and reproduce correct word order, function words, and grammatical endings
apply accurate spelling, capitalization, and punctuation when typing the sentence
segment the sentence into meaningful chunks to support short-term recall
use knowledge of English syntax, collocation, and sound patterns to recover missed words
About 10 h 30 min of study, lessons and core practice
1 diagnostic · 2 full-length, timed and scored like the real test
Strategy guides
7
Pacing, section strategy and test-day guides
A predicted PTE Academic score with its likely range, updated after every session
A study plan built around your test date and the hours you have
Spaced review of every question you miss
An AI tutor for anything about the PTE Academic, its format or your lessons
AI grading of your essays and speaking against PTE Academic-style criteria
Free to start
Every lesson and guide is free, with 40 practice questions a day and the diagnostic. Pro removes the limits.
Yes, on some multiple-answer item types, selecting extra wrong options can reduce the score you earn on that item. That means you should not treat every multiple-answer question as a guess-all-that-might-fit task.
How quickly do results usually arrive?
Results usually arrive within about 48 hours, but candidates should still avoid scheduling the test so late that a normal processing delay would create a problem for an application deadline.
Is the Personal Introduction scored?
No. The Personal Introduction is unscored. It may still be sent to institutions alongside the score report workflow in some contexts, so candidates should speak clearly and professionally, but it does not contribute to the reported PTE score.
What is the best way to improve fastest: general English study or item-type practice?
You need both, but the best short-term gains usually come from combining them strategically:
fix high-frequency score losses in major item types;
improve listening accuracy, sentence control and pronunciation clarity;
practise under real timing and microphone conditions; and
review errors by item type and skill contribution, not just by total score.