PTE Exam Syllabus 2023 - Section-Wise PTE Exam Syllabus & Important Topics PDF

PTE Exam Sections

• Speaking and Writing (54 – 67 minutes)

• Reading (29 – 30 minutes) 

• Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) 

PTE Duration

2 hours (Single test session)

Medium

Computer-based with Headset

Mode

Taken in a test centre / Home Edition

Test Type

English Language Proficiency Exam

Questions

20 different question types

Prominent Accepting Countries 

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more

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Speaking and Writing Section 

• Personal introduction

• Repeat sentence

• Read aloud

• Re-tell lecture

• Describe image

• Summarize written text

• Answer short question

• Essay (20 mins) 

28 – 36

54-67 minutes

Reading Section

• Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks 

• Reading: Fill in the blanks

• Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers

• Multiple-choice, choose single answer 

• Re-order paragraphs

13 – 18

29-30 minutes

Listening Section

• Summarize spoken text 

• Fill in the blanks

• Multiple choice, choose a single answer 

• Multiple choice, choose multiple answers 

• Select missing word 

• Highlight correct summary

• Highlight incorrect words

• Write from dictation

12 – 20

30-43 minutes

Personal Introduction

Candidates must talk about themselves in this task. There are 35 seconds for speaking, followed by 25 seconds for preparing. Although there is no grade for this section, it offers a chance to become used to the testing atmosphere.

1

25 seconds to prepare

30 seconds to record 

Read Aloud

A 60-word sentence is displayed on the prompt, and after hearing the tone, the applicant must read the entire material orally. Your response can only be recorded once.

6-7

30-40 seconds to prepare

Repeat a Sentence

The applicant listens to a recorded statement using headphones, and then he must repeat it as clearly as possible.

10-12

3-9 seconds to prepare

15 seconds to record

Re-tell a Lecture

A lecture is displayed or played into the candidates' headphones during this portion of the PTE exam style. Participants in the test are asked to express their opinions out loud in their own words.

3-4

40 to 90 seconds to answer

Describe an Image

At this phase, candidates must spend around 40 seconds describing a picture displayed on the prompter. They have 25 seconds to get ready.

6-7

25 seconds to study the image and respond 

Answer Short Questions

In this brief section, each question must be answered in one or a few words.

10-12

20 seconds (10 to answer)

Summarise Written Text

Here, a candidate's ability to summarise is put to the test by having to compose a one-sentence summary of an almost 300-word book.

1 Sentence

summary

10 minutes

Essay

This component requires a topic-based essay of around 250 words. Each candidate has a total of 20 minutes to formulate, develop, and present their ideas.

1 essay

20 minutes

Fill in the Blanks 

On the screen in front of the candidate throughout this section are sentences that are unfinished and have gaps in them. To correctly finish the phrase, you must choose the appropriate words from the list of terms. There is a shorter version of the fill-in-the-blank question. Gaps in an 80-word text need to be filled with the appropriate group of words that are presented individually.

4-5

Text up to 80

words

Multiple Choices, Multiple Answers 

On the screen, a paragraph is seen.

The applicant must respond to a question with numerous right answers based on the paragraph they have read.

2-3

Text up to 300

words

Re-order Paragraphs 

This is one of the most common English exam questions. On the screen, there are several boxes filled with phrases that must be put in the right order to form a grammatically accurate sentence.

2-3

Text up to 150

words

Multiple Choices, Single Answers

The examinee is presented with a long paragraph of around 250 words in this phase of the PTE exam format. Following the attentive reading, you must tackle a multiple-choice question with a single right answer.

2-3

Text up to 110

words

Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks

In this section, a text with multiple gaps appears on the screen, and you must drag words from the box below to fill the gaps.

5-6

Text up to 300

words

Summarize Spoken Test

A sound recording is played. Applicants must prepare a 50-70 word synopsis of the tape based on their knowledge of it. 

2-3

60-90 seconds to retain

50-70 words

10 minutes to write

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer

The candidate is questioned on any part of it using a multiple-choice question based on a brief recording. This question may have multiple correct answers, so pay close attention.

2-3

40-90 seconds for the prompt

Fill in the Blanks

On the screen is a gap-filled transcript of a recording. The gap must be filled with the proper word based on the tape played. This section of the PTE exam style allows you to take notes.

2-3

30-60

Seconds for the prompt

Highlight the Correct Summary 

You are being played a recording. The applicant is asked to select the paragraph that best depicts the recording's summary based on its content.

2-3

30-90 seconds for the prompt

Multiple Choice, Single Answer

A multiple-choice question with a single right answer is proposed based on the interpretation of the tape. Applicants must choose the option that best reflects the meaning and sense of the recorded material.

2-3

30-60

Seconds for the prompt

Select the Missing Word

According to the audio recording, the candidate must choose an appropriate term from the options presented.

2-3

30-60

Seconds for the prompt

Highlight the Incorrect Word

The transcript of the audio from the preceding part is then shown. Choose the words in the transcript that are incorrect.

2-3

20-70 seconds for the prompt

Write From Dictation 

A short statement is played on the tape. You are expected to accurately rewrite the statement.

3-4

3-5 seconds for the prompt