Pearson
PTE Academic
PTE Academic is a fully computer-based, AI-scored English test from Pearson, accepted for university admission and for migration to Australia, New Zealand, the UK and, for some programs, Canada. It uses integrated tasks across the four skills.
What it is
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based academic English test. It is accepted by universities worldwide and by immigration authorities including Australia, New Zealand, the UK and, for some programs, Canada (IRCC). It is known for fast, AI-based scoring.
Fully computer-based and integrated
The whole test is taken at a computer in one sitting of about two hours. Many tasks are integrated - they test more than one skill at once (for example, listen then write, or read then speak). Speaking is recorded by microphone; there is no human examiner in the room.
Test structure
- Speaking & Writing - about 54 to 67 minutes: read aloud, repeat sentence, describe image, re-tell lecture and answer short questions; then summarise a written text and write an essay.
- Reading - about 29 to 30 minutes: multiple choice, re-order paragraphs and fill in the blanks.
- Listening - about 30 to 43 minutes: summarise spoken text, multiple choice, fill in the blanks and more.
Scoring
PTE Academic is scored from 10 to 90 on the Global Scale of English. Scores are reported for the four communicative skills and can be mapped to CEFR levels and, for immigration, to CLB. Results are usually available within about two days.
For teachers
PTE rewards speed, clarity and strict task format at a keyboard and microphone. Drill the fixed response patterns for each task type (especially the templated essay and summarise-written-text), and build timed, recorded practice. Because scoring is automated, train clear pronunciation and on-task, well-structured responses.
Resources for teaching PTE Academic
Browse all →Lesson plans
PTE Academic Speaking & Writing: Strategy Guide
A teacher guide to the integrated PTE Speaking & Writing section: the task types and fixed response patterns.
PTE Academic Reading: Strategy Guide
A teacher guide to the PTE Reading section: task types and timing.
PTE Academic Listening: Strategy Guide
A teacher guide to the PTE Listening section: task types, note-taking and timing.
PTE Academic: Understanding Integrated Tasks
A teacher guide to how PTE scores one task across two skills, and what that means for practice.
Worksheets
PTE Academic Scoring: GSE, CEFR & CLB
How the PTE 10-90 Global Scale of English maps to CEFR and to CLB for Canadian immigration.
PTE Academic Writing: Practice Worksheet
Practice for the two PTE writing tasks: summarise written text and the essay.
PTE Academic Test-Day & Overview Checklist
A short checklist of the PTE computer-based format and what to do before and on test day.
Sources