PTE Exam Syllabus - Curriculum for PTE
PTE Exam Syllabus - Curriculum for PTE
PTE Exam Syllabus
The Pearson Test of English, popularly known as the PTE, is a computer-administered exam tailored to evaluate an individual's command of the English language. Renowned for its meticulously crafted PTE exam syllabus, this assessment serves as a beacon for English fluency. It is recognised by over 3000 educational entities spanning countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and many more. Originated by the Pearson PLC Group, the PTE Academic exam is a key step for students and aspirants keen on advancing their studies or settling in prominent English-speaking nations. To shine in this endeavour, candidates must familiarise themselves with the PTE syllabus for 2024. Covering core areas like Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening, the syllabus is a comprehensive guide to all who wish to validate their linguistic prowess and embark on a global academic journey.
PTE Academic Syllabus: Section-Wise
The Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) meticulously assesses the four pivotal pillars of language comprehension: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. This comprehensive evaluation is tailored to verify that aspirants are not only well-equipped to thrive in a global educational ambience but are also proficient in the English language—often referred to as the global lingua franca. Excelling in this assessment is a testament to both university admission panels and visa authorities that the candidate is adept in the predominant language of their chosen study-abroad destination.
Scoring high in the PTE exam bears further significance; it accentuates the candidates' ability to articulate their thoughts, navigate the nuances of international discourse, and seamlessly interact within a diverse milieu comprising peers from varied geographies and globally attuned faculty members. In essence, the PTE syllabus prepares students to immerse in global academia, communicating effectively in a universally recognised tongue.
PTE Speaking and Writing
The PTE Speaking and Writing section offers a lucid reflection of its intent through its name, laying emphasis on gauging candidates' adeptness in two paramount modes of communication: verbal and written. Spanning a duration of roughly 54 to 67 minutes, this segment stands as the most extended portion of the PTE exam. With seven distinct question categories under its purview, it aims to emulate the English language nuances one might encounter within academic corridors.
This segment is intricately divided into seven sub-sections, each uniquely designed to assess a candidate's spontaneity in both speaking out and penning down their thoughts to fresh content. To provide a clearer perspective, the overarching Speaking and Writing section, oscillating between 54 and 67 minutes, has specific time allocations for each of its constituent sub-parts, which are as follows:
Segments Pattern |
Time Duration |
Personal Introduction |
55 seconds: 25 seconds for prompt, 30 seconds to record |
Read Aloud |
30-40 seconds to prepare for reading out the text of 60 words |
Repeat Sentence |
15 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 15 seconds to record |
Describe Image |
25 seconds 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 |
20 seconds: 3-9 seconds for prompt, 10 seconds to answer |
Summarise Written Text |
10 minutes to answer a text prompt of 300 words |
Essay |
20 minutes to answer a text prompt of 2-3 sentences |
Total Questions |
28 - 36 |
Time Allocation |
54 - 67 minutes |
PTE Reading
The PTE Reading section shines a spotlight on candidates' capacity to decode and grasp written English directives, embodying the essence of textual understanding. Segregated thoughtfully into five distinct segments, this portion of the exam stretches over a concise span of 29 to 30 minutes. To offer a more granulated understanding of how the reading experience unfolds, let's dive into the specific time allotment for each individual subsection within this category:
Segments Pattern |
Time Duration varies on the length of the Text Prompt |
Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer |
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 |
PTE Listening
Stretching from a window of 30 to 43 minutes, the PTE Listening section is meticulously crafted to evaluate a candidate's prowess in discerning spoken English. It beckons students to lean in attentively, absorbing the essence of the audio clip presented and retaining its core messages. With its architecture spanning across eight well-defined sub-sections, each portion has its distinct time allocation. For a clearer perspective on how this auditory journey is structured, here's a breakdown of the time distribution for each segment:
Segments Pattern |
Time Duration |
Summarise 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 |
PTE Pattern 2024
When preparing for the PTE, understanding the intrinsic bond between the PTE pattern and syllabus is of paramount importance. The PTE syllabus is, in essence, a manifestation of the PTE exam structure. Here's an overview of the PTE exam pattern for 2024:
PTE Format |
Details |
PTE Pattern |
An English language exam has been developed to test the Speaking & Writing Skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates wanting to study abroad in an English-speaking country. |
PTE Duration |
2 hours and a Single test session |
Medium |
Computer-based with headset |
Mode |
Taken in a test centre / Home Edition |
Test Type |
Assesses real-life English |
Test Layout |
20 question types |
To glean detailed insights into each section's intricacies, consult the dedicated descriptions accompanying every segment:
- Speaking and Writing
- Reading
- Listening
Breakdown of Question Types in the PTE Syllabus
For those navigating the waters of the PTE exam, it's pivotal to familiarise oneself with the types of questions one might encounter. Here’s a categorised snapshot:
Reading:
- Multiple-choice answers
- Fill in the blanks
- Re-order paragraphs
Listening:
- Summarise spoken text
- Fill in the blanks
- Multiple-choice answers
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
Speaking and Writing:
- Personal introduction
- Re-tell lecture
- Answer short questions
- Read aloud
- Summarise spoken text
- Describe image
- Repeat sentence
- Essay writing
PTE General Syllabus
The PTE General exam stands as a testament to the milestones achieved in the English language learning journey. Tailored for non-native English speakers, this exam accentuates your ability to communicate seamlessly in real-world scenarios. However, it's noteworthy that this particular test is not accredited for immigration validations.
At the heart of the PTE General lies a bifurcation into two core segments: the Written and the Spoken. These segments meticulously assess a participant's reading, listening, writing, and speaking faculties, ensuring a holistic evaluation of one's English prowess.
A salient feature of the PTE General exam is the demarcation of six distinct levels of proficiency. These tiers, integrally connected to the esteemed Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), provide a roadmap for understanding and gauging one's linguistic proficiency in the English language.PTE General Proficiency Levels
Proficiency Level |
Grade |
Length |
A1 |
Foundation |
1 hour 15 minutes |
1 |
Elementary |
1 hour 30 minutes |
2 |
Intermediate |
1 hour 35 minutes |
3 |
Upper-Intermediate |
2 hours |
4 |
Advanced (Operational Proficiency) |
2 hours 30 minutes |
5 |
Proficient (Mastery) |
2 hours 55 minutes |
PTE Academic Online
With the advent of PTE Academic Online, taking the exam has been redefined, offering the luxury of choosing your preferred environment, be it your cosy home or any other conducive spot. While this mode mirrors the traditional Academic version in terms of its pattern, there's a pivotal distinction to note: results derived from PTE Academic Online aren't currently acknowledged for visa processing.
It's essential for aspirants to exercise due diligence. Before you tread down this path, it's prudent to ascertain whether your prospective educational institution endorses the PTE Academic Online. This ensures alignment with institutional requirements and seamless admissions.
For Bangladeshi students eyeing the global educational horizon, understanding the PTE syllabus is pivotal. This comprehensive guide is tailored to ensure every aspirant from the heart of South Asia is well-equipped for success. With AECC's unwavering support, we aim to bridge the gap between your dreams and world-class institutions abroad. So, dive deep into the syllabus, prepare diligently, and let your English proficiency open doors to unparalleled opportunities. The world awaits Bangladesh!
Get in touch with our expert counsellors at AECC and get exclusive tips to ace your PTE exam!
Frequently Asked Questions
The PTE syllabus encompasses the Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening sections.