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New PTE Exam Pattern in 2026
The PTE test pattern underwent a significant evolution starting in late 2025. The most notable change is the reduction in total test time to approximately 2 hours in a single session, with no scheduled breaks.
| Feature | Details |
| Test Duration | 2 hours (Single Sitting) |
| Total Score Range | 10-90 points |
| Scoring Method | AI-based automated scoring |
| Acceptance | Study, Work, and Immigration |
Unlike traditional exams, the PTE test syllabus is built on "integrated tasks," meaning one question often scores you in two different skills simultaneously.
Section 1: Speaking & Writing (54-67 Minutes)
Speaking and Writing is the longest section of the test and is designed to assess your ability to function in an academic environment.
Key 2026 Updates
Two new tasks have been introduced to better reflect real-world interaction:
- Summarize Group Discussion: Requires you to listen to a multi-person conversation and identify the key themes.
- Respond to a Situation: You will be given a social or academic prompt and must provide a spoken response.
Core Tasks Breakdown:
- Read Aloud (6-7 questions): You must read a text (up to 60 words) with correct intonation.
- Repeat Sentence (10-12 questions): Listen to a 3-9 second recording and repeat it verbatim.
- Describe Image (3-4 questions): Analyze a graph or chart within 40 seconds.
- Summarize Written Text (1-2 questions): Condense a 300-word passage into a single sentence within 10 minutes.
- Write Essay (1-2 questions): Write a 200-300 word formal essay on a given topic in 20 minutes.
Tip: The microphone closes after 3 seconds of silence. Always maintain a steady flow to avoid losing marks for oral fluency.
Section 2: Reading Section (29-30 Minutes)
The PTE exam syllabus for reading focuses on your ability to synthesize information from academic texts.
Task Types and Distribution:
- Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (5-6 questions): Focuses heavily on collocations and grammar.
- Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers (1-2 questions): Tests your ability to identify nuances and tone.
- Re-order Paragraphs (2-3 questions): Requires logical sequencing of scrambled text boxes.
- Reading: Fill in the Blanks (4-5 questions): A drag-and-drop task focusing on vocabulary.
- Multiple Choice, Single Answer (1-2 questions): Standard skimming and scanning for a specific answer.
Section 3: Listening Section (30-43 Minutes)
The PTE listening syllabus utilizes various accents, including British, American, and non-native variations.
High-Weightage Tasks:
- Summarize Spoken Text (1-2 questions): You have 10 minutes to write a 50-70 word summary of a lecture.
- Write From Dictation (3-4 questions): This is the most important task in the entire exam. You must type a sentence exactly as you hear it.
- Highlight Incorrect Words (2-3 questions): Identify words in a transcript that differ from the audio recording.
PTE Exam Syllabus & Pattern for Reading
In this part, you'll be tested on how well you understand written instructions. The section has five parts and takes about 29 to 30 minutes.
Each part has a time limit, so pay attention to your time for each segment. This way, you can manage your time wisely and complete each part within the given time frame.
The PTE Reading test consists of 30-45 questions that assess different reading skills. These skills are:
- Understanding the Main Idea: This skill involves grasping a passage's primary message or central theme.
- Identifying Supporting Details: It requires recognising specific pieces of information that support or elaborate on the main idea.
- Analysing Information Presented in Different Formats: This includes interpreting and understanding information in various formats, such as texts, graphs, charts, tables, and diagrams.
Different types of questions for Reading
- Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
- Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers
- Re-Order Paragraphs
- Reading: Fill in the Blanks
- Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks
PTE Exam Syllabus & Pattern for Listening Section
The PTE Academic listening part takes 30 to 43 minutes. It's all about checking how well you understand spoken English.
You'll listen to different audio clips and need to remember what you hear. This section has eight parts, each with a time limit, so keep track of time for each one. This way, you can manage your time well and give your best shot in each segment.
Different types of questions for Listening
- Multiple Choice Questions
- Summarising Tasks
- Highlighting Key Points
- Writing Short Answers Based on Audio
- Fill in the Blanks
PTE Exam Syllabus & Pattern for Speaking & Writing Section
You'll showcase your speaking and writing skills in the PTE Speaking and Writing section. This part takes the longest, about 54 to 67 minutes. Seven tasks test how well you can communicate in English, especially in academic situations.
You'll face various tasks requiring you to speak or write based on prompts. Don't worry if the topics are new to you; they're designed that way.
Here's a breakdown of the time you'll spend on each task:
PTE Exam Syllabus for Speaking & Writing Section
| Segments Pattern | 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 vs. PTE Core: Which Syllabus Should You Choose?
For students planning to study abroad, the PTE Academic is the standard requirement. However, if you are an Indian professional eyeing Canada PR, you must take the PTE Core.
| Aspect | PTE Academic | PTE Core |
| Purpose | University Admission & Student Visas | Canadian Immigration & Work Visas |
| Writing Task | 200-300 Word Essay | 100-word Workplace Email |
| Listening Task | Retell Lecture | Respond to a Situation |
Scoring for the PTE Exam
The PTE Academic uses advanced AI scoring to evaluate your English proficiency across a granular scale of 10 to 90. Starting in August 2025, a hybrid scoring model was introduced for certain open-response tasks, where AI handles technical mechanics like fluency and grammar, while human experts cross-check content relevance.
Understanding Your Scorecard
Your performance is categorized into two main areas:
- Overall Score: A single score based on your performance across all test items, reflecting your general English level.
- Communicative Skills: Individual scores for Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
- Skills Profile: Detailed feedback on specific performance areas such as "Extended Writing" or "Short Speaking" to help you identify strengths and weaknesses.
Scored vs. Unscored Tasks
While almost all tasks in the pte test syllabus contribute to your score, the Personal Introduction remains unscored; it is simply sent to universities to help them verify your identity and get a sense of your voice.
Get Your PTE Exam Results
One of the biggest advantages of the PTE is the speed of results. You will typically receive your scorecard within 48 hours, although it can occasionally take up to five business days.
Steps to Check Your Result:
- Notification: Pearson will send an email to your registered address as soon as your results are ready.
- Login: Access the official myPTE portal using your username and password.
- View Scores: Click on "View Score" on your homepage or navigate to "My Activity" to find your latest test session.
- Download PDF: You can download a digital copy of your report for your personal records.
Sending Scores to Universities
Universities do not accept printed or PDF copies of your results. You must send them officially through your account:
- Cost: Sending your PTE score is completely free.
- Limit: You can share your results with an unlimited number of institutions abroad.
- Validity: Your PTE results remain valid and accessible in your portal for two years from the test date.
Conclusion
Mastering the PTE exam syllabus is not just about knowing the questions; it's about understanding the AI logic behind the PTE test pattern. By focusing on high-weightage tasks like "Write From Dictation" and maintaining natural fluency in the speaking section, you can achieve your target score of 79+ on the first attempt.
If the technicalities of the PTE test syllabus still feel daunting, don't worry. Our expert counselors are ready to help you navigate every step of your international education journey from test prep to visa filing.
Ready to kickstart your preparation? Connect with Leap Scholar's experts today for a personalized study plan and free mock tests.
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