PTE Academic: Complete Guide 2025
Everything you need to know about the Pearson Test of English Academic — AI scoring, all 20 question types, preparation strategies, and score requirements for universities and immigration worldwide.
1. What is PTE Academic?
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based English language proficiency test developed by Pearson. It is unique among major English tests in that it is entirely scored by AI — no human examiners are involved. This makes results faster (within 48 hours) and scoring more consistent and objective.
PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities, colleges, and governments worldwide, including all UK universities, Australian student visa applications, and New Zealand immigration. It scores on a scale of 10–90.
2. Test Format Overview
PTE Academic consists of three timed parts taken in a single session at a Pearson test centre. Skills are tested in an integrated way — a single task may assess speaking and reading simultaneously.
| Part | Duration | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 54–67 min | 7 types (personal intro + 6 scored) |
| Reading | 29–30 min | 5 types |
| Listening | 30–43 min | 8 types |
3. Speaking & Writing
Part 1 tests speaking and writing skills across seven question types. Many types are integrated — Read Aloud tests both reading and speaking; Summarise Written Text tests both reading and writing.
30-second introduction about yourself. Not scored but sent to institutions.
Read a text of up to 60 words aloud. Tests pronunciation, oral fluency, and reading.
Listen to a sentence and repeat it exactly. Tests listening, speaking, pronunciation, and oral fluency.
Describe an image (graph, chart, map, or photograph) in 40 seconds. Tests speaking and vocabulary.
Listen to a lecture, then re-tell it in your own words in 40 seconds.
Answer a short factual question in one or a few words. Tests listening and vocabulary.
Read a passage and write a one-sentence summary in 75 words or fewer. 10 minutes per task.
Write a 200–300 word argumentative essay in 20 minutes. Tests writing, grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.
Describe Image tip
4. Reading
Choose the best response to a question about a reading passage.
Choose all correct responses. Each correct answer adds a point; each incorrect answer deducts one.
Arrange scrambled text boxes into the correct order to reconstruct a passage.
Drag and drop words from a word bank to fill gaps in a passage.
Select the correct word from a dropdown for each blank in a passage.
5. Listening
Listen to a lecture of 60–90 seconds, then write a 50–70 word summary in 10 minutes.
Choose all correct responses to a question about an audio clip.
Listen and type missing words into a transcript of the recording.
Choose which written summary best matches an audio recording.
Choose the best response to a question about an audio recording.
Choose the word or phrase that completes a recording, replacing a beep at the end.
Click on words in the transcript that differ from what is actually said in the recording.
Listen to a sentence and type it exactly. Tests listening accuracy and spelling.
Write from Dictation tip
6. How AI Scoring Works
PTE Academic uses automated scoring algorithms developed by Pearson — no human examiners are involved at any stage. The AI evaluates speaking responses for pronunciation, oral fluency, and content. Writing responses are scored for content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and written discourse.
Because scoring is algorithmic, the same performance will receive the same score every time — eliminating examiner variability. However, it also means that clarity and accurate English are rewarded consistently; unusual accents that are clear and grammatically correct still score well.
7. Score Scale & Bands
PTE Academic scores on a scale of 10–90. This maps to CEFR levels as follows:
| PTE Score | CEFR Level | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 85–90 | C2 | 8.5–9.0 |
| 76–84 | C1 | 7.5–8.0 |
| 59–75 | B2 | 6.0–7.0 |
| 43–58 | B1 | 5.0–5.5 |
| 30–42 | A2 | 3.5–4.5 |
| 10–29 | A1 | Below 3.5 |
8. Enabling Skills
In addition to the four communicative skills, PTE Academic reports scores for six enabling skills — the underlying language competencies that support communication.
Correct use of English grammatical structures in writing and speaking.
Natural speech rate, rhythm, and phrasing — not speed.
Intelligibility of speech; does not penalise accents as long as speech is clear.
Correct spelling in all written tasks, including dictation and fill-in-the-blanks.
Appropriate and varied word choice across all tasks.
Coherent, well-structured written responses with good cohesive devices.
9. How to Prepare
Understand the scoring algorithm
Unlike IELTS, PTE is scored by AI. This means strategies that work for AI scoring apply: speak clearly with good pacing, avoid unnecessary pauses, and stick closely to task requirements. Templates for Describe Image and Summarise Written Text can help.
Practise Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence daily
These two question types have the highest score contribution in Part 1. Read Aloud tests both reading and speaking; Repeat Sentence tests listening and speaking. Daily practice dramatically improves your score.
Master Write from Dictation
Write from Dictation is the highest-scoring question type in the Listening section. Practise transcribing spoken sentences at natural speed every day. Focus on spelling accuracy — every word must be exact.
Study timeline
10. Sample Question Types
Read Aloud Example
Read the following text aloud:
“The expansion of renewable energy sources has transformed the global electricity market, creating new opportunities for investment and technological innovation while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.”
Tip: Read at a natural pace, pause at commas, and emphasise key content words.
Describe Image Example (structure)
Template structure for a bar chart:
“The bar chart illustrates [topic]. Overall, [main trend]. In [category A], [detail]. By contrast, [category B], [detail]. In conclusion, [summary].”
11. University & Visa Requirements
| Institution / Purpose | Typical PTE Score Required |
|---|---|
| UK universities (undergraduate) | 51–65 depending on course |
| UK universities (postgraduate) | 62–72 depending on course |
| Australian universities | 57–79 depending on institution |
| Australian student visa | 50 overall, min 36 per skill |
| New Zealand student visa | 50 overall |
| US universities (graduate programmes) | 68–79 |
How FullPracticeTests Helps
FullPracticeTests offers full-length PTE Academic practice tests with AI scoring that mirrors Pearson's own algorithms. Get section scores, enabling skill breakdown, and targeted tips to reach your target score faster.