What Is the PTE Exam?

If you're a non-native English speaker who wants to study, work, or live abroad, there's an exam that might help you. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam tells a government, employer, or educational institution how well you can read, speak, and write the English language. 

Foreign governments, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, as well as thousands of top colleges and universities worldwide, like Harvard University and Yale University in the US, accept this exam. 

If you currently live in India but want to travel to other parts of the world for new opportunities, you'll want to know more about the PTE exam.  

What does the PTE Exam test?   

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam tests your knowledge of English when it's not your first language. Divided into three parts, it tests your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English. Usually, people who take it have plans to study abroad, get a job in another country, or immigrate somewhere new to start a new life. Artificial intelligence (AI) powers the test without the interference of human bias. 

You'll sometimes see the test referred to as the PTE Academic or the PTE Academic Online. The main difference between these two labels is that you take the PTE Academic in person at an academic centre. In contrast, you can take the PTE Academic Online from anywhere you have computer access. Only universities accept the PTE Academic Online; you can't take it for visa purposes. 

Pearson offers these tests and the PTE Academic UKVI, which you'll need to take for a visa in the UK. Though the tests are the same, they have different registration rules. 

No matter what version of the test you choose, you're in good company. More than 1 million exams were administered in 2023, and Pearson opened its largest testing centre yet in Chandigarh last year [1].

What are some benefits of taking the PTE exam? 

• Taking some versions of the PTE exam can help you get a UK visa or immigrate to another country, particularly one where English is the national or the most widely spoken language.

• Scoring well on the exam may increase your chances of acceptance to some of the world's top colleges and universities.

• If you want to apply for a job overseas, the test can prove to your potential employer that you have a good command of the English language. 

• The PTE exam is good if you need fast results, as you typically receive your results within 48 hours.

• Taking the test can help open up new educational and professional opportunities you may not have considered.

• With a tool Pearson offers, sharing your test results with institutions worldwide instantly is easy. 

Who is eligible to take the PTE exam? 

You must be at least 16 years old to take the test. However, if you're under 18, you'll need your parents' consent. Pearson has in-person testing centres in 117 countries, but people in all countries (except China) can take the online exam.You must present some sort of identification document, and a passport is the most commonly used form of identification. Of course, you'll also need to be largely fluent in English. 

What is the format of the PTE exam?   

You have two hours to complete the PTE exam, and it's separated into three parts: 

• Part 1: Speaking and Writing (54 to 67 minutes)

• Part 2: Reading (29 to 30 minutes)

• Part 3: Listening (30 to 43 minutes)

Part 1 starts with a prompt you'll read and respond to verbally, which is not included in your score and is meant to act as a personal introduction. After that, you'll answer a variety of seven types of questions, including:

• Read aloud: Text appears on the screen, and you must read it aloud.

• Repeating: You'll hear a sentence and repeat it to your microphone.

• Descriptions: You'll see an image and have 40 seconds to describe it.

• Lectures: You'll listen to short lectures and summarise them in your own words.

• Short answer: You'll respond to a question with one-word answers or short phrases. 

• Reading summaries: You'll read a short passage and write a summary in one sentence.

• Essay: You'll write a 200-to-300-word essay on a given topic. 

Part 2 is about ensuring you can read and comprehend the English language. This part also includes a variety of activities, including:

• Reading a passage and filling in the blank words.

• Answering multiple-choice questions with more than one response.

• Putting paragraphs and sentences in the proper order.

• Fill in the gaps of sentences with missing words.

• Answering multiple-choice questions with a single response.  

The final section of the PTE exam, Part 3, contains auditory questions to determine how well you understand the English language by listening. For example, it also has multiple choice questions, but rather than read the question, you'll hear it in a video or audio clip. You will:

• Summarise spoken text.

• Answer multiple-choice questions with multiple answers.

• Fill in the blanks.

• Highlight a paragraph that summarises a recording.

• Answer multiple-choice questions with a single answer.

• Select a missing word from a list of choices.

• Highlight incorrect words.

• Type sentences that you hear.

How do I sign up for the PTE exam? 

To register for the PTE exam, decide whether to take the test in person or virtually. Then, visit the Pearson PTE website to book your test. From there, you'll choose the test you want to take and add your location to look for testing centres in your area. A list of available testing centres, dates, and times will appear on your screen, and you can choose the most convenient. You'll then complete the steps to register for the test at that location and pay a registration fee.

As of June 2024, Pearson PTE has 62 test centres across India, and the basic fee for Indian test takers is ₹17,000 for both the PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online exams [2]. 

How can I prepare for the PTE exam? 

Like any other academic test, you can prepare for the PTE exam by studying and practising. A visit to the Pearson website offers the opportunity to take a practice test and have it scored to give you an idea of how well you'll do on the exam. The site also has practice questions that you can work with and an e-book with more tips for exam day. There's also an English booster that can help you improve your English skills. Just keep in mind that there is a fee for these preparation tools.  

Other ways to prepare include:

• Reading books on English grammar rules.

• Go over the format of the test and make sure you understand it. 

• Practising your English pronunciation. 

• Reading as much English literature as you can.

• Listening to English lectures and podcasts. 

• Practising your summarising skills. 

• Using English language flashcards. 

• Looking for other PTE exam study guides online.

How is the PTE exam scored? 

One advantage of choosing the PTE exam over similar tests is that it is scored quickly. Results use the Global Scale of English. According to Pearson, it is based on “results from extensive global research, going beyond other language measurement tools, such as the CEFR [Common European Framework of Reference], to provide unparalleled insights into learners’ skills. [3]” 

It is based on a 10 to 90-point scale with scores for each question based on complexity. You'll receive a “Score Report” with an overall score for how well you did on the exam and individual scores for how well you did within specific categories. Your Score Report is valid for two years from your exam date.  

Next steps 

If English isn't your first language, but you'd like to eventually study, work, or live abroad, consider taking online courses on Coursera to help improve your English language skills. You'll find classes and lessons like English for Career Development by the University of Pennsylvania and English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate from Rice University.