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PTE Academic

PTE Academic: what it is, the format, scoring & how to prepare

English for Education · Updated 24 August 2026

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Student practising the computer-based PTE Academic speaking test with a headset and microphone
Quick answer

PTE Academic is Pearson's computer-based English test, scored 10–90. It takes about 2 hours in a single sitting, is marked by AI with results usually within ~48 hours, and covers listening, speaking, reading and writing. It's accepted for university admission and some visas in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

What's in the PTE test (format)

Part 1 · Speaking & Writing

~76–84 min

Nine task types, including Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation, Summarize Written Text and Write Essay.

Part 2 · Reading

~29–30 min

Several reading task types, e.g. Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice and Re-order Paragraphs.

Part 3 · Listening

~30–43 min

Several listening task types, e.g. Summarize Spoken Text, Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary and Write from Dictation.

How PTE scoring works

PTE gives an overall score from 10 to 90 on the Global Scale of English, plus sub-scores for each skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Because it's AI-marked, scoring is consistent and results come back fast — unlike tests that wait days for a human examiner.

PTE to IELTS comparison (approximate)

PTE 86–90≈IELTS 8.5–9
PTE 79–85≈IELTS 8.0
PTE 71–78≈IELTS 7.5
PTE 63–70≈IELTS 7.0
PTE 55–62≈IELTS 6.5
PTE 47–54≈IELTS 6.0

These are rough guides for comparison and can differ by institution.

How to prepare for a good PTE score

  1. 1. Learn each task type — PTE rewards specific techniques for each one.
  2. 2. Get comfortable speaking to a microphone, especially Read Aloud and Describe Image, where the AI listens to pronunciation and fluency.
  3. 3. Practise Write from Dictation and Repeat Sentence often — they score several skills at once.
  4. 4. Practise under real timing and manage your time within each part.
  5. 5. Check the PTE score your university or visa requires before you set a target.

PTE FAQ

What is PTE Academic?

A computer-based English test from Pearson covering listening, speaking, reading and writing, AI-marked and scored 10–90, accepted for study and visas in many countries.

How is PTE scored?

An overall 10–90 on the Global Scale of English plus per-skill sub-scores, with results usually within about 48 hours.

How long is the PTE test?

About 2 hours, with all sections in a single sitting.

How does PTE compare to IELTS?

Roughly, PTE 65 ≈ IELTS 7.0, PTE 58 ≈ 6.5 and PTE 50 ≈ 6.0. Check the requirement of the institution you're applying to.

Where is PTE accepted?

Thousands of universities accept it, and it's valid for visas in some countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Prepare for PTE with our MUIC & Chula team

We've been preparing students for English exams since 2018, and our PTE course is ready — full video classes covering every part from basic to advanced, plus AI-graded Writing & Speaking practice. Enrol or ask us for details.

The largest and most complete PTE Academic question bank online — every part with bilingual (Thai + English) solutions, plus automatic AI grading of your speaking & writing with real-exam score estimates.

Enrol in the full course — unlock everything
  • 🔓 Unlock every practice question — the complete bank, all parts
  • 🤖 AI grades your Writing & Speaking like an examiner, with fixes to make
  • 🎥 The complete video course — every part, from basic to advanced
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Test details are approximate — please check the latest information on the official Pearson PTE website.

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