PTE Exam Format: Sections, Tasks and Timing

Q: How many task types are in PTE Academic?

Twenty-two scored task types: 7 in Speaking, 2 in Writing, 5 in Reading and 8 in Listening.

Q: What is the order of the PTE exam?

It starts with an unscored personal introduction, then the Speaking and Writing part, then Reading, then Listening. Write from Dictation is usually the last task.

Q: Is the PTE format the same for Academic and Core?

The three-part shape is the same. PTE Core has Write Email instead of Write Essay and does not include Re-tell Lecture or Summarize Group Discussion.

The test at a glance

Part 1	Speaking and Writing: 76–84 minutes
Part 2	Reading: 23–30 minutes
Part 3	Listening: 31–39 minutes
Total	About 2 hours
Score	10–90 overall, plus a score for each skill

The test begins with an unscored personal introduction, then moves through the three parts in order. Each part has its own time limit. PTE Academic has 22 scored task types; PTE Core keeps the same shape with a few different tasks (see Academic vs Core).

Speaking

Part 1: Speaking and Writing · 76–84 minutes (with Writing)

Read AloudAcademic and Core Repeat SentenceAcademic and Core Describe ImageAcademic and Core Re-tell LectureAcademic only Answer Short QuestionAcademic and Core Respond to a SituationAcademic and Core Summarize Group DiscussionAcademic only

Writing

Part 1: Speaking and Writing · 76–84 minutes (with Speaking)

Summarize Written TextAcademic and Core Write EssayAcademic only Write EmailCore only

Reading

Part 2: Reading · 23–30 minutes

Reading & Writing: Fill in the BlanksAcademic and Core Reading: Fill in the BlanksAcademic and Core Reading: Multiple Choice, Single AnswerAcademic and Core Reading: Multiple Choice, Multiple AnswersAcademic and Core Re-order ParagraphsAcademic and Core

Listening

Part 3: Listening · 31–39 minutes

Summarize Spoken TextAcademic and Core Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple AnswersAcademic and Core Listening: Fill in the BlanksAcademic and Core Highlight Correct SummaryAcademic and Core Listening: Multiple Choice, Single AnswerAcademic and Core Select Missing WordAcademic and Core Highlight Incorrect WordsAcademic and Core Write from DictationAcademic and Core

FAQ

How long is the PTE exam?

About 2 hours in total. Speaking and Writing together take 76–84 minutes, Reading 23–30 minutes and Listening 31–39 minutes.

How many task types are in PTE Academic?

What is the order of the PTE exam?

Is the PTE format the same for Academic and Core?

PTE Practice is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Pearson. Our scores are a calibrated emulation, not official PTE scores.