Welcome to your PTE Study Guide!
We designed this study guide to provide you all major aspects of the PTE test in an easy and accessible format you can refer to anytime. Make sure to bookmark this guide to come back on it later.
We will update our guide on a regular basis.
STEP 1 - What is PTE
PTE stands for the Pearson Test of English Academics. It is a test created for people who are not native English speakers. The test shares similarities with the IELTS tests, but also has differences, which makes it a better option for some students. The main ones being:
- it is easier to secure a 79 at the PTE test that it is to get four 8 at the IELTS test.
- it takes less time to get your result. Yes, it can be a long time to wait more than one week to know if you finally succeeded in the exam.
Are you new to PTE or unsure about which test to study? Learn more about all the differences between the IELTS test and the PTE test.
The PTE test is a three hour test that you take on a computer in a safe environment.
STEP 2: The PTE test environment
When you go to a PTE Test, you do it in a so-called secured environment. The PTE center is a room filled with computers and headsets. Some locations may have dividers that separate you from the person located to your left and right sides.
You need to be aware that when you pass the test, there will be ambient noise that may distract you. In your preparation, try to include sessions where you add a background noise (radio, tv) to get used to it.
"All PTE centers are not equal. Choose a good one! Ask your friends first."
A similar background noise feature can be found in our PTE Success Preparation Tools.
STEP 3: The 4 modules of the PTE Test
If you've made your decision and are 100% willing to pass the PTE exam, you need to be familiar with each module. The four modules are:
PTE speaking format
PTE speaking is the first part of the PTE Exam and contains 5 types of exercises. It will take you between 77 to 93 minutes to complete. This part of the test will assess your speaking and writing skills. At the exam, you will have to answer to 15-20 questions for the reading module.
PTE writing format
PTE Writing is the last section of part 1 and contains 2 types of exercises. It will take you between 30 to 40 minutes to complete. This part of the test will assess your reading and writing skills.
PTE reading format
PTE reading is the second part of the PTE Exam and contains 5 types of exercises. It will take you between 32 to 41 minutes to complete. This part of the test will assess your reading and writing skills. At the exam, you will have to answer to 15-20 questions for the reading module.
PTE listening format
PTE listening is the last part of the PTE Exam and contains 8 types of exercises. It will take you between 45 to 57 minutes to complete. This part of the test will assess your listening and writing skills.
STEP 4: The PTE exam format
The next logical step in your PTE journey is to understand what makes up your PTE score.
PTE assesses your ability by scoring you on what they call enabling skills. Namely:
- Grammar
- oral fluency,
- pronunciation,
- spelling,
- vocabulary,
- written discourse
In our step 4 article, you will not only go over the definition of each enabling skill, but you will also learn more about:
- what are the PTE fees in different countries,
- the late fees that you may occur if you register late,
- how to register for an exam,
- the exam structure,
- the different immigration pathways and scores required
STEP 5: How to study from home effectively?
After reading the 4 previous steps of our guide, I believe you should now be familiar with the PTE test in general.
Do you want to see improvements in your score fast?
This article tells you how we do it and how we would do it if we had to pass the exam again.
It consists of a few steps:
- Be familiar with each type of exercise
- Take a complete mock test
- Check your result and discover your weaknesses
- Focus on your weaknesses (practice)
- Take a sectional mock test to check your progress
- If you improved in all areas, take a mock test again
- Repeat this process until ready
In the article - How to study from home effectively, we dig deeper into the points I referenced above and explain why this is the best method.
