PTE Exam Syllabus & Pattern 2025: Section-wise Syllabus & PDF

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Updated on Feb 12, 2025, 07:32

If you want to excel in your PTE Exam, you should know about the PTE exam syllabus 2025.
 

The PTE Academic exam section includes Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. It has two formats: PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online. The format for PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online is the same, but it can slightly differ.

 

Keep reading to learn more about the PTE exam syllabus, PTE exam pattern 2025, and PTE exam dates.

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1. What is the PTE Exam?

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based English language proficiency test designed for non-native English speakers.

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2. PTE Exam Syllabus 2025

The PTE Exam Pattern 2025 consists of four main sections: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.

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3. PTE Exam Syllabus: Scoring Criteria

The PTE (Pearson Test of English) scoring criteria are designed to evaluate a test taker's proficiency in English across several key areas.

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4. Final Preparation Tips for PTE Exam

You need a mix of strategy, practice, and time management to score well in the PTE exam.

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1.

What is the PTE Exam?

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based English language proficiency test designed for non-native English speakers. It assesses candidates' speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in AustraliaCanadaUK, and USA for study, work, and migration purposes. 

 

Importance of Understanding the PTE Academic Syllabus

 

A thorough understanding of the PTE syllabus is essential for adequate preparation. It helps you:

 

  • Know the exam format and types of questions
  • Focus on weak areas
  • Develop effective test strategies
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:

 

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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
2.

PTE Exam Syllabus 2025

The PTE Exam Pattern 2025 consists of four main sections: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. The PTE exam time duration 2025 lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and includes a variety of question types. 
 

Here's an overview of the PTE Exam syllabus:

 

 

PTE Exam Syllabus Details for PTE Exam Pattern and Syllabus
PTE Exam Pattern
  • Speaking & Writing Skills (54 – 67 minutes)
  • Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes)
  • Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes)
  • 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

     

    Refer to the segment-wise description boxes provided with each section for a detailed explanation of the PTE Course Syllabus:

    PTE Speaking & Writing Section (54–67 minutes)

    This section evaluates fluency, coherence, grammar, and spoken and written English vocabulary.

     

    Speaking Tasks & Pattern

     

    Task No. of Questions Skills Tested
    Read Aloud 6 - 7 Pronunciation, fluency, reading accuracy
    Repeat Sentence 10 - 12 Listening, memory, pronunciation, fluency
    Describe Image 6 - 7 Speaking, analysis, fluency, coherence
    Re-tell Lecture 3 - 4 Listening, summarisation, fluency
    Answer Short Questions 10 -12 Listening comprehension, vocabulary

     

    📌 Tips for Speaking Section of PTE Exam Syllabus:

     

    • Speak clearly and naturally without long pauses.
    • Focus on correct pronunciation and avoid monotone speech.
    • Practice with different PTE Speaking tests.

     

    PTE Writing Syllabus
     

    Task No. of Questions Skills Tested
    Summarise Written Text 1 - 2 Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
    Write Essay 1 - 2 Argumentative writing, coherence, grammar

     

    📌 Tips for Writing Section for PTE Exam Syllabus:

     

    • Stick to the word limit (Summarise Text: 5–75 words, Essay: 200–300 words).
    • Structure your essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
    • Use academic vocabulary and a formal tone.
    PTE Reading Section (29–30 minutes)

    This section tests comprehension, vocabulary, and reasoning skills.

     

    PTE Reading Syllabus

     

    Task No. of Questions Skills Tested
    Multiple Choice, Single Answer 2 - 3 Comprehension, reasoning
    Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers 2 - 3 Inference, detail recognition
    Re-order Paragraphs 2 - 3 Logical sequencing, cohesion
    Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing) 5 - 6 Grammar, vocabulary
    Fill in the Blanks (Reading Only) 4 - 5 Context-based word selection

     

    📌 Tips for Reading Section for PTE Exam Syllabus:

     

    • Skim and scan passages to identify key information quickly.
    • Focus on transition words (e.g., "however," "therefore") to understand text flow.
    • Improve vocabulary to handle fill-in-the-blank questions effectively.
    PTE Listening Section (30–43 minutes)

    This section evaluates listening comprehension and summarisation abilities.

     

    PTE Listening Syllabus

     

    Task No. of Questions Skills Tested
    Summarise Spoken Text 2 - 3 Note-taking, summarisation
    Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers 2 - 3 Understanding details, reasoning
    Fill in the Blanks 2 - 3 Listening comprehension, grammar
    Highlight Correct Summary 2 - 3 Identifying main ideas
    Multiple Choice, Single Answer 2 - 3 Detail recognition
    Select Missing Word 2 - 3 Prediction, understanding the context
    Highlight Incorrect Words 2 - 3 Listening accuracy, spelling
    Write from Dictation 3 - 4 Memory, spelling, grammar

     

    📌 Tips for Listening Section for PTE Exam Syllabus:

     

    • Take notes while listening to long audio.
    • Listen to various English accents (American, British, Australian).
    • Focus on keywords and synonyms instead of exact words.
    3.

    PTE Exam Syllabus: Scoring Criteria

    The PTE (Pearson Test of English) scoring criteria are designed to evaluate a test taker's proficiency in English across several key areas. 
     

    The main components assessed include:
     

    How is each section scored?
     

    Section Scoring Criteria
    Speaking Pronunciation, fluency, content accuracy
    Writing Grammar, coherence, structure, vocabulary
    Reading Comprehension, logic, inference, vocabulary
    Listening Understanding, note-taking, summarisation
    4.

    Final Preparation Tips for PTE Exam

    You need a mix of strategy, practice, and time management to score well in the PTE exam. Here are eight key tips to help you prepare effectively.

     

    8 Final Preparation Tips:

     

    • Understand the Exam Format – Learn the sections, question types, and scoring criteria.
    • Practice with Official Materials – Use the PTE Official Guide and mock tests for realistic practice.
    • Improve Time Management – Practice answering within the time limit to boost efficiency.
    • Work on Weak Areas – Analyze mistakes and focus on speaking fluency, grammar, or listening skills as needed.
    • Develop Strong Vocabulary – Read academic texts and practice summarization for better responses.
    • Enhance Speaking Skills – Speak, avoid long pauses, and focus on pronunciation and fluency.
    • Take Full-Length Mock Tests – Simulate actual exam conditions to build confidence.
    • Stay Calm & Focused – Manage stress, sleep well, and approach the exam positively.

     

    💡 Consistency and smart practice will help you achieve your desired PTE score! 🚀

     

    How Can Leap Help?

     

    Unlock your potential with Leap! Elevate your PTE exam preparation with our personalised learning resources and practice materials
     

    Join us today to enhance your skills and boost your confidence for test day!

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    FAQs

    Q. What is the syllabus for PTE?

    Ans. The PTE syllabus includes four sections: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. It assesses pronunciation, fluency, grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning skills. Tasks include reading aloud, repeating sentences, summarising text, writing essays, filling in the blanks, and listening tasks like summarising spoken text and writing from dictation. Each section has different question types to evaluate English proficiency effectively.

    Q. How can I prepare for the PTE exam?

    Ans. To prepare, understand the format, practice with official PTE materials, and take mock tests. Improve time management, work on weak areas, and enhance vocabulary. Practice speaking fluently, summarising texts, and answering multiple-choice questions. Listening to English podcasts and news helps with comprehension. Take full-length practice tests to build confidence and get familiar with exam timing.

    Q. What is the format of the PTE exam?

    Ans. The PTE exam has three main sections: Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes), Reading (29–30 minutes), and Listening (30–43 minutes). It is a computer-based test with 20 questions, including essay writing, multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence reordering. The AI-scored test ensures fairness and is conducted in one sitting, typically lasting two to three hours.

    Q. What are the total marks of the PTE exam?

    Ans. The PTE exam is scored on a 10 to 90 scale. Each section—Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening—is scored separately; the final overall score is an average. The scoring is AI-based, ensuring accuracy and fairness. A score of 65+ is considered good, while 79+ is excellent for visa and university applications.

    Q. What is the pattern of the PTE exam?

    Ans. The PTE exam pattern consists of three sections:

     

    • Speaking & Writing (54–67 min) – Includes Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Essay Writing.
    • Reading (29–30 min) – Covers Multiple-Choice, Reorder Paragraphs, Fill in the Blanks.
    • Listening (30–43 min) – Includes Summarising Spoken Text Write from Dictation.
    Q. How long are the PTE scores valid?

    Ans. PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic test scores are typically valid for up to two years from the test date. Your PTE Academic score will remain valid and reportable for university admissions, visa applications, or other purposes for two years from the date you took the test. After two years, you might have to retake the exam.

    Q. What is the PTE exam format?

    Ans. The PTE Academic exam is a computer-based test that assesses a candidate's proficiency in the English language across four skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The exam format includes 20 questions, such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blanks, and essay writing. It is three hours long and divided into three parts: speaking and writing, reading, and listening.

    Q. How are marks distributed in PTE?

    Ans. In the PTE Academic exam, marks are distributed across the four skills—speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Each skill is scored on a scale of 10 to 90 points, and the overall score is calculated based on performance in all four skills. The exam also includes enabling skills, such as grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary, which are scored separately and contribute to the overall score.

    Q. What is the UKVI exam pattern?

    Ans. The UKVI exam pattern is similar to the regular IELTS exam but with some additional security measures. It is also a four-skills exam that assesses a candidate's proficiency in the English language. The exam includes listening, reading, writing, and speaking modules and is designed to meet the immigration requirements for UK visas and citizenship.

    Q. What is the score pattern of the PTE test?

    Ans. In the PTE Academic exam, each skill—speaking, writing, reading, and listening—is scored on a scale of 10 to 90 points. The exam also includes enabling skills, such as grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary, which are scored separately and contribute to the overall score. The overall score is calculated based on performance in all four skills and enabling skills.

    Q. What is the PTE exam syllabus for Australia?

    Ans. The PTE exam syllabus for Australia includes Speaking & Writing (54–67 min), Reading (29–30 min), and Listening (30–43 min). It tests pronunciation, fluency, grammar, comprehension, and reasoning skills. Common question types include Read Aloud, Write Essay, Fill in the Blanks, and Summarize Spoken Text. The test is AI-scored and accepted for Australian visas and universities.