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📋 Complete PTE Academic Exam Structure · 20+ Question Types · Updated for August 2025

PTE Academic Exam Pattern 2026

Everything you need to know about the PTE Academic test format — section-by-section breakdowns, all 20+ question types, task counts, time limits, scoring criteria and expert preparation tips from One Australia Group. Includes the 2 new question types added from August 2025.

3 sections — Speaking & Writing · Reading · Listening ~2 hours total duration 20+ question types 100% AI-scored — results in 48 hrs 2 NEW question types from Aug 2025 Score range 10–90
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3
Test sections in PTE Academic
~2 hrs
Total exam duration
20+
Distinct question types
48 hrs
Average AI-scored results
Test format overview

PTE Academic test format — 3 sections at a glance.

Section Key question types Time limit
Speaking & Writing Personal Introduction, Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question, Respond to a Situation ⭐, Summarize Group Discussion ⭐, Summarise Written Text, Essay 76–84 min
Reading Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown), Multiple Choice Multiple Answer, Re-order Paragraphs, Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop), Multiple Choice Single Answer 29–30 min
Listening Summarise Spoken Text, Multiple Choice Multiple Answer, Fill in the Blanks (Type In), Highlight Correct Summary, Multiple Choice Single Answer, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, Write from Dictation 30–43 min
⭐ = New question types added from 7 August 2025
🆕
Important update: 2 new question types from August 2025

From 7 August 2025, Pearson introduced Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation to the Speaking and Writing section. These are now standard exam questions — your preparation must include both.

👥 Summarize Group Discussion
Listen to 3 speakers discuss a topic (up to 3 min). Summarise the key points aloud in 2 minutes. Note-taking permitted.
💬 Respond to a Situation
Read and hear a real-life situation (up to 60 words). Respond verbally with what you would say. 10s prep, 40s answer.
Section-by-section guide

All question types — format, tips and scoring.

01
Section 1
Speaking & Writing
76–84 minutes · 9 question types (incl. 2 new from Aug 2025)
🎤
Personal Introduction
25s prep · 30s record Scored: Not scored

A short self-introduction recorded before the test begins. Not scored but helps calibrate your comfort with the interface.

How to answer
  • Read the prompt during preparation time and plan 2–3 natural sentences
  • Speak clearly and confidently — this calibrates the microphone for your voice
  • Treat it as a warm-up to settle nerves before the scored sections begin
📖
Read Aloud
6–7 tasks · Up to 60 words Scored: Content · Oral Fluency · Pronunciation

A written text of up to 60 words appears on screen. Read it aloud clearly and naturally with a 30–40 second preparation window.

How to answer
  • Read through the text during preparation and mark any difficult words
  • Speak at a natural, steady pace — do not rush or pause frequently
  • Focus on fluency: correct flow scores higher than stopping to self-correct
  • Complete your response before the recording bar ends
🎧
Repeat Sentence
10–12 tasks · 3–9s audio Scored: Content · Oral Fluency · Pronunciation

You hear a sentence lasting 3–9 seconds and must repeat it exactly as spoken. Microphone opens immediately after audio. 15 seconds to respond.

How to answer
  • Listen to the complete sentence before you start speaking
  • Repeat the sentence exactly — do not change words or add synonyms
  • Speak with natural fluency and rhythm, not word-by-word
  • This task contributes to both Speaking AND Listening scores — high value
🖼️
Describe Image
5–6 tasks · 40s answer Scored: Content · Oral Fluency · Pronunciation

An image such as a graph, chart, map or picture appears. 25 seconds to study it, 40 seconds to describe key trends or features.

How to answer
  • Open with a clear sentence identifying the image type (graph, chart, map)
  • Cover key highlights, trends and comparisons in logical order
  • Use simple, fluent English — avoid long pauses
  • End with a short conclusion summarising the overall picture
🎓
Re-tell Lecture
2–3 tasks · Up to 90s audio Scored: Content · Oral Fluency · Pronunciation

You listen to an audio lecture of up to 90 seconds and re-tell its main points in your own words within 40 seconds.

How to answer
  • Note down keywords and main ideas while listening
  • Open with an introduction sentence about the lecture topic
  • Explain key points in logical sequence using simple English
  • Speak fluently and confidently before the timer ends
❓
Answer Short Question
5–6 tasks · 10s answer Scored: Vocabulary

You hear a question and must answer in one word or a brief phrase. Tests both listening and vocabulary. Microphone opens immediately.

How to answer
  • Listen carefully to the complete audio before answering
  • Respond in one or very few words only — brevity is correct
  • Speak clearly and naturally without hesitation
  • Complete answer before the recording bar ends
👥
Summarize Group Discussion NEW Aug 2025
2–3 tasks · Up to 3 min audio Scored: Content · Pronunciation · Oral Fluency

New from August 2025. Listen to a group discussion with 3 speakers (up to 3 min) and summarise key points in 2 minutes. Note-taking permitted.

How to answer
  • Take notes of main ideas and each speaker's position while listening
  • Use 10-second preparation window to structure your summary
  • Start speaking immediately after the beep — avoid long pauses
  • Speak naturally with clear pronunciation throughout
💬
Respond to a Situation NEW Aug 2025
2–3 tasks · 40s answer Scored: Content · Pronunciation · Oral Fluency

New from August 2025. Read and hear a real-life situation description (up to 60 words). Respond with what you would say. 10s prep, 40s answer.

How to answer
  • Listen carefully AND read the situation text simultaneously
  • Use 10-second prep time to plan key points and structure
  • Speak clearly with natural pronunciation and smooth fluency
  • Give a complete, relevant response with confident delivery
✍️
Summarise Written Text
2 tasks · 10 min each Scored: Content · Form · Grammar · Vocabulary

Read a passage of up to 300 words and write a one-sentence summary of no more than 75 words. Tests both reading and writing.

How to answer
  • Identify the central idea and key supporting information
  • Write exactly ONE grammatically correct sentence using connectors
  • Keep between 5 and 75 words — check the word counter
  • Review grammar, spelling, punctuation before submitting
📝
Write Essay
1 task · 20 min Scored: Content · Development · Form · Grammar · Vocabulary · Spelling

Write an argumentative essay of 200–300 words based on a 2–3 sentence prompt. The most comprehensively scored task in the exam.

How to answer
  • Understand the topic before writing your introduction
  • Follow: Introduction → Body paragraphs → Conclusion
  • Use academic vocabulary, linking words and varied sentence structures
  • Stay between 200–300 words — use the on-screen word counter
02
Section 2
Reading
29–30 minutes · 5 question types
📋
Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)
5–6 tasks · Up to 350 words Scored: Correct/incorrect

A passage with blanks. For each blank, select the correct word from a dropdown menu. Tests contextual vocabulary and comprehension.

How to answer
  • Read the complete sentence before selecting any option
  • Focus on grammar, collocations and sentence meaning
  • Use contextual clues to identify the most accurate word
  • Recheck all answers before moving to the next question
☑️
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer
2–3 tasks · Up to 300 words Scored: Partial credit

Read a passage and select ALL correct answers from multiple options. Negative marking applies — choose only what you are confident about.

How to answer
  • Read the complete passage to understand main idea and tone
  • Identify keywords, facts and supporting details first
  • Choose only options clearly supported by the passage
  • Avoid guessing — incorrect choices reduce your score
🔀
Re-order Paragraphs
2–3 tasks · Up to 150 words Scored: Partial credit

Text boxes appear in random order. Drag and drop them into their correct logical sequence. Tests text structure and coherence.

How to answer
  • Identify the introduction sentence that presents the main idea
  • Look for linking words, pronouns, dates or repeated keywords
  • Arrange text boxes by dragging into the correct order
  • Recheck the complete flow to ensure natural, coherent reading
✋
Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)
4–5 tasks · Up to 80 words Scored: Partial credit

A short passage with gaps. Drag the correct words from a word box into each blank. Not all words in the box are used.

How to answer
  • Read the complete passage carefully before selecting words
  • Identify grammar clues — tense, articles, prepositions
  • Look for contextual meaning and logical sentence flow
  • Eliminate incorrect options to improve accuracy and speed
✅
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
2–3 tasks · Up to 300 words Scored: Correct/incorrect

Read a passage and select the SINGLE correct answer. No partial credit. Focus on main idea and tone.

How to answer
  • Read the entire passage before checking options
  • Identify keywords, main ideas and supporting details
  • Eliminate incorrect or confusing answer choices first
  • Select the best answer based only on information in the passage
03
Section 3
Listening
30–43 minutes · 8 question types
🎙️
Summarise Spoken Text
1 task · 60–90s audio Scored: Content · Form · Grammar · Vocabulary · Spelling

Listen to a 60–90 second recording and write a 50–70 word summary. 10 minutes per question. Note-taking permitted.

How to answer
  • Note down main topic, keywords and supporting ideas while listening
  • Write a clear summary in one complete paragraph, 50–70 words
  • Use proper grammar, punctuation and academic vocabulary
  • Review spelling and word count before submitting
☑️
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
2–3 tasks · 80–120s audio Scored: Partial credit

Listen to an 80–120 second recording and select ALL correct answers. Partial scoring applies — incorrect choices deduct points.

How to answer
  • Listen for main idea, supporting details and speaker opinions
  • Take short notes of keywords, names, numbers and repeated points
  • Select all correct answers carefully — avoid random guessing
  • Review selected options before moving to the next question
⌨️
Fill in the Blanks (Type In)
2–3 tasks · 30–60s audio Scored: Partial credit

A transcript with missing words appears. As you listen, type the missing words. Spelling must be exact.

How to answer
  • Read the transcript quickly before audio starts for context
  • Focus on keywords, pronunciation and sentence meaning while listening
  • Type the exact missing word with correct spelling
  • Use notes to remember difficult words — review before moving on
📌
Highlight Correct Summary
2–3 tasks · 30–90s audio Scored: Correct/incorrect

Listen to a 30–90 second recording and select the paragraph that best summarises it. Focus on overall meaning, not specific words.

How to answer
  • Focus on the speaker's main idea and supporting points
  • Avoid options with incorrect details or extreme statements
  • Take short notes of keywords, names, dates and key concepts
  • Select the summary that matches the recording most accurately
✅
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
2–3 tasks · 30–90s audio Scored: Correct/incorrect

Listen to an audio clip and choose the SINGLE correct answer. No partial credit. Listen for specific details or main idea.

How to answer
  • Focus on the main idea of the recording
  • Take short notes of keywords, facts and opinions
  • Read all answer options before selecting the best one
  • Avoid options with partially correct or misleading information
🔊
Select Missing Word
1–2 tasks · 20–70s audio Scored: Correct/incorrect

The final word/phrase in the audio is replaced by a beep. Choose the best option to complete the recording.

How to answer
  • Listen to the overall meaning and tone of the recording
  • Focus on keywords, collocations and sentence flow before the beep
  • Predict the missing word logically before viewing options
  • Select the option that best fits context, grammar and meaning
🔍
Highlight Incorrect Words
2–3 tasks · 15–50s audio Scored: Partial credit

A transcript with errors appears on screen. While listening, click the words in the transcript that don't match what the speaker says.

How to answer
  • Read the transcript quickly before audio starts
  • Listen carefully and compare each spoken word with the transcript
  • Click only the words that are different from the audio
  • Avoid random guessing — incorrect selections reduce your score
✏️
Write from Dictation
3–4 tasks · 3–5s audio Scored: Content · Partial credit

Hear a short sentence and type it exactly as spoken. Spelling and accuracy are critical. Note-taking before typing is recommended.

How to answer
  • Listen carefully to the complete sentence without losing focus
  • Type the exact sentence with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation
  • Use short notes or keywords while listening if needed
  • Quickly review your answer before submitting — this also contributes to Listening score
Quick reference

All question types and task counts — plan your prep time.

Question type Skills tested Tasks
Speaking & Writing Section (76–84 min)
Read Aloud Speaking 6–7
Repeat Sentence Speaking + Listening 10–12
Describe Image Speaking 5–6
Re-tell Lecture Speaking + Listening 2–3
Answer Short Question Listening 5–6
Summarize Group Discussion ⭐ New Speaking + Listening 2–3
Respond to a Situation ⭐ New Speaking 2–3
Summarise Written Text Reading + Writing 2
Write Essay Writing 1
Reading Section (29–30 min)
Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) Reading 5–6
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer Reading 2–3
Re-order Paragraphs Reading 2–3
Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) Reading 4–5
Multiple Choice, Single Answer Reading 2–3
Listening Section (30–43 min)
Summarise Spoken Text Listening + Writing 1
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Listening 2–3
Fill in the Blanks (Type In) Listening 2–3
Highlight Correct Summary Listening + Reading 2–3
Multiple Choice, Single Answer Listening 2–3
Select Missing Word Listening 1–2
Highlight Incorrect Words Listening + Reading 2–3
Write from Dictation Listening + Writing 3–4
Scoring criteria

How PTE Academic is scored — 8 criteria explained.

PTE Academic uses AI scoring on a scale of 10–90. Understanding the scoring criteria for each question type helps you focus practice on the highest-impact areas.

Criterion Definition Applies to
Content Whether your response accurately addresses the topic, task and prompt requirements Speaking, Writing, Listening
Oral Fluency The naturalness, pace and rhythm of your spoken response without hesitations or false starts Speaking tasks
Pronunciation How clearly and accurately English phonemes are produced and whether words are recognisable Speaking tasks
Grammar Accuracy of sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, tense use and grammatical range Writing tasks
Vocabulary Range and appropriateness of word choices relative to the academic context Writing and some speaking tasks
Spelling Correct spelling of all written words in responses Writing and dictation tasks
Form Whether the response meets format requirements such as word count ranges and sentence rules Essay, Summarise Written Text
Development & Coherence Logical development of ideas, paragraph structure and clarity of argument in extended writing Essay
💡 Integrated scoring: Several question types contribute to more than one skill score simultaneously. For example, Write from Dictation contributes to both Listening and Writing scores. Repeat Sentence contributes to both Speaking and Listening. Performing well on integrated tasks gives your overall score a greater boost.
Preparation strategy

How to prepare using the PTE Academic exam pattern.

1
Familiarise yourself with every question type first

Attempting questions without understanding the format wastes preparation time and creates incorrect habits. Study each question type's format, task count and scoring criteria before you begin timed practice.

2
Practice with a timer for every session

PTE Academic is a timed exam and fluency under time pressure is a skill that must be deliberately developed. Use the exact time limits for every practice task from day one.

3
Focus heavily on Repeat Sentence and Write from Dictation

These two question types are high-frequency and contribute to multiple skill scores simultaneously — Repeat Sentence to Speaking and Listening, Write from Dictation to Listening and Writing. They offer the strongest return on preparation investment.

4
Build a note-taking system for the Listening section

Each audio clip plays only once. Effective shorthand and structured note-taking are essential skills, not optional habits. Practise your notation system until it becomes automatic before exam day.

5
Prepare specifically for the 2 new August 2025 question types

Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation require a different kind of spoken preparation compared to older question formats. Practise tracking multiple speakers and generating spontaneous situational responses — skills that benefit from deliberate focused practice.

6
Take full-length scored mock tests regularly

Completing a timed full test simulates real exam conditions, reveals your weak areas and builds the stamina needed for a two-hour sitting. One Australia Group recommends MockMaster.ai for AI-scored PTE practice with 30,000+ real exam questions.

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FAQ

PTE Academic exam pattern — common questions.

The PTE Academic exam takes approximately 2 hours. The Speaking and Writing section runs 76–84 minutes, Reading takes 29–30 minutes, and Listening takes 30–43 minutes. An optional 10-minute break may be available between sections depending on the test centre.
PTE Academic includes more than 20 distinct question types across three sections. As of August 2025, two new types were added: Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation, both in the Speaking and Writing section. This brings the total number of question formats to 22 for the current exam.
No. PTE Academic is scored entirely by AI and automated algorithms with no human involvement in routine scoring. This removes any subjective bias and ensures consistent, fast results — typically delivered within 48 hours. For certain task types such as Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture, human reviewers may confirm content accuracy, but the primary scoring is fully automated.
From 7 August 2025, Pearson introduced two new question types to the Speaking and Writing section. Summarize Group Discussion requires you to summarise a three-person audio discussion in your own words within 2 minutes. Respond to a Situation asks you to respond verbally to a described real-life scenario in 40 seconds. Both are now standard exam questions and must be included in your preparation plan.
For Australian skilled migration, a PTE Academic score of 65 or above is commonly required for most skilled visa subclasses. Many occupations and higher visa categories require 79 or higher. Certain professional registrations (such as AHPRA for nurses) specify per-skill minimums. Always verify requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs or your relevant professional body for your specific visa subclass and occupation.
Yes. You can retake PTE Academic as many times as needed, up to a maximum of 12 attempts within a rolling 12-month period. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts. You must receive your results from the current attempt before booking a retake. Each attempt is scored independently and institutions typically consider only your highest score.
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