PTE Exam Pattern 2025Section-Wise Test Format

PTE Exam has three sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking & Writing

The duration of PTE Academic is aprrox. 2 hours

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Introduction to the PTE Exam Pattern

To excel in the PTE exam, candidates first need to understand the PTE exam pattern. However, the PTE exam is divided into three sections: listening, reading, speaking and writing. But why is it important to understand the PTE test format? Knowing about the exam pattern is essential because it helps you prepare effectively for the test. Additionally, it provides insights into the exam structure, types of expected questions, and the time allocated for each section. Thus, in this write-up, we will discuss everything about the updated PTE exam pattern for 2025 in detail.

PTE Exam Pattern 2025 Highlights

To begin with, there are a few minor changes and test enhancements in the PTE exam pattern. These changes include the addition of two new question types in the speaking section: “Respond to a Situation” and “Summarise Group Discussion.”

Besides these additional changes, the original PTE test format has remained the same.

PTE FormatDetails
PTE Exam Pattern
  • Part 1: Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes)
  • Part 2: Reading (29-30 minutes)
  • Part 3: Listening (30-43 minutes)
Exam Duration~2 hours
Medium of TestFully computer based
ModeAt an authorized test centre or via the Home Edition
Test TypePTE Academic
No. of Questions22 different question types
PTE Exam FeesINR 18,000

Section‑Wise Breakdown of PTE Exam

As you can see in the table above, the PTE exam has 22 different question types. These assess your English language proficiency in Speaking & Writing, Listening, and Reading. Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of each of these sections along with the types of questions you can expect, the time allocated, and the PTE marks distribution. Take a look:

Speaking & Writing

The first is the Speaking & Writing section, which is the longest part of the exam and lasts 54 - 67 minutes. As per the updated  PTE exam pattern, you will get to see 2 new question types: Respond to a Situation and Summarize Group Discussion.

This section is designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in academic English by testing skills such as pronunciation, fluency, grammar, vocabulary, and written coherence.

Task TypeNumber of QuestionsDuration Per TaskSkills Assessed
Personal Introduction1
  • 25 sec to prepare
  • 30 seconds to record (not scored)
Speaking
Read Aloud5-7
  • 30-40 sec to prepare
  • Speaking time varies (based on prompt length) 
Reading & Speaking
Repeat Sentence10–12
  • Listen: 3–9 sec
  • Respond: 15 sec
Listening & Speaking
Describe Image5–6
  • 25 sec to prepare
  • 40 sec to respond
Speaking
Re-tell Lecture2–3
  • Listen: 60–90 sec
  • 10 sec to prepare
  • 40 sec to respond
Listening & Speaking
Answer Short Question5–6
  • Listen: 3–9 sec
  • Respond: 10 sec
Listening & Speaking
Summarize Group Discussion (New)2–3
  • Listen: 3 min discussion
  • 10 sec to prepare
  • 2 min to respond
Listening & Speaking
Respond to a Situation (New)2–3
  • Listen + Read prompt (60 words)
  • 10 sec to prepare
  • 40 sec to respond
Listening & Speaking
Summarize Written Text2
  • 10 min per question
Reading & Writing
Write Essay1
  • 20 min
Writing
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Reading

The PTE exam pattern of the reading section is divided into 5 segments and lasts for 29 to 30 minutes. The reading material that you will get in this section will be from authentic academic texts from subjects like the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. You can practice with different PTE mock tests to understand the kind of topics you can get.

Furthermore, the PTE marks distribution for this section is around 32-36% of the overall score and includes questions such as:

Task TypeNumber of QuestionsDuration per TaskSkills Assessed
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks5–6
  • 300 words prompt
  • No time limit
Reading & Writing
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers1–2
  • 350 words prompt
  • No time limit
Reading
Re-order Paragraphs2–3
  • 150 words prompt
  • No time limit
Reading
Fill in the Blanks (Reading only)4–5
  • 80 words prompt
  • No time limit
Reading
Multiple Choice, Single Answer1–2
  • 300 words prompt
  • No time limit 
Reading

Listening

The next one is the Listening section, which lasts 30–43 minutes and tests your ability to understand spoken English in an academic setting. The PTE test format for this section includes 8 different types of questions, each of which will be based on audio or video clips that you will hear only once.

Do note that this task will assess a combination of your listening, writing, and reading and will require you to summarize spoken texts, identify missing words, highlight errors, and transcribe dictations, among other activities.

Task TypeNumber of QuestionsDuration per TaskSkills Assessed
Summarize Spoken Text1–210 min per questionListening & Writing
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers1–2
  • 40-90 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening
Fill in the Blanks2–3
  • 30-60 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening & Writing
Highlight Correct Summary1–2
  • 30-90 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening & Writing
Multiple Choice, Single Answer1–2
  • 30-60 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening
Select Missing Word1–2
  • 20-70 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening
Highlight Incorrect Words2–3
  • 15-50 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening & Reading
Write from Dictation3–4
  • 3-5 seconds prompt
  • No time limit
Listening & Writing

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PTE Vocabulary

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Conclusion

Summing up, the PTE exam pattern is designed to thoroughly evaluate your English skills with the help of a balanced mix of Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening tasks. And with the new 2025 updates like human-evaluated tasks, new question types, and improved test interface, you will get a more refined experience. These changes will not only increase the overall quality but will even help in ensuring a fairer assessment of your real-world communication skills.

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Moreover, students can enroll in our coaching for comprehensive studies to achieve the desired scores. Also, a one-on-one session is conducted in which students can clear all their doubts. For more details, you can contact us. 

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How Gradding helps students to prepare for English language proficiency test?

We have a professional team that provides tailored guidance, study plans, linguistic resources, and attention to students. We help students to prepare for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo. Also, we provide:

  • A self-help kit.
  • Pre-practice test.
  • Full and section-wise mock test and band predictor tool to calculate test scores.

Moreover, students can enroll in our coaching for comprehensive studies to achieve the desired scores. Also, a one-on-one session is conducted in which students can clear all their doubts. For more details, you can contact us. 

What are the benefits of studying abroad?

There are many benefits to studying abroad, such as :

1. High-quality education system 
2. Study in QS World Ranking universities
3. Globally-recognized degrees and courses 
4. Diverse career opportunities 
5. Indulge in different cultures around the world 
6. Exposure to the worldwide job market 
7. Cutting-edge research facilities        
8. Expands student’s vision and mission towards the profession. 
9. Personal growth
10. Build a global network and connection, and the list goes on. 

What type of services does Gradding provide?

Gradding offers services in more than 20 different areas like:

1. Test Preparation 
2. Assist in language proficiency skill test 
3. Provide a list of smart courses and top universities  
4. Planning study abroad journey
5. Guide in writing ideal SOP 
6. LOR writing services 
7. Study abroad loans 
8. Helps in getting Health insurance     
9. Selection of student bank account 
10. Securing a GIC Canada Certificate 
11. Visa assistance 
12. Germany blocked account 
13. International money transfer (Forex)
14. Students travel insurance  
15. Student accommodation 
16. Get the best Guarantor 
17. Arranging student flight ticket  
18. International SIM 
19. Airport pickup 
20. Luggage storage and more. 

testing

testing testing testing testing

How Gradding helps students to prepare for English language proficiency test?

We have a professional team that provides tailored guidance, study plans, linguistic resources, and attention to students. We help students to prepare for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo. Also, we provide:

  • A self-help kit.
  • Pre-practice test.
  • Full and section-wise mock test and band predictor tool to calculate test scores.

Moreover, students can enroll in our coaching for comprehensive studies to achieve the desired scores. Also, a one-on-one session is conducted in which students can clear all their doubts. For more details, you can contact us. 

What are the benefits of studying abroad?

There are many benefits to studying abroad, such as :

1. High-quality education system 
2. Study in QS World Ranking universities
3. Globally-recognized degrees and courses 
4. Diverse career opportunities 
5. Indulge in different cultures around the world 
6. Exposure to the worldwide job market 
7. Cutting-edge research facilities        
8. Expands student’s vision and mission towards the profession. 
9. Personal growth
10. Build a global network and connection, and the list goes on. 

What type of services does Gradding provide?

Gradding offers services in more than 20 different areas like:

1. Test Preparation 
2. Assist in language proficiency skill test 
3. Provide a list of smart courses and top universities  
4. Planning study abroad journey
5. Guide in writing ideal SOP 
6. LOR writing services 
7. Study abroad loans 
8. Helps in getting Health insurance     
9. Selection of student bank account 
10. Securing a GIC Canada Certificate 
11. Visa assistance 
12. Germany blocked account 
13. International money transfer (Forex)
14. Students travel insurance  
15. Student accommodation 
16. Get the best Guarantor 
17. Arranging student flight ticket  
18. International SIM 
19. Airport pickup 
20. Luggage storage and more. 

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