Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): Complete 2026 Guide to Format, Scoring, Fees & Preparation
Everything about the Pearson Test of English Academic: the 22-task format after the August 2025 update, AI scoring, fees in India, where it is accepted and a 4-week prep plan.
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is a computer-based English test for study abroad and migration, scored by AI on a scale of 10 to 90. Since Pearson's August 2025 update it has 22 question types and takes about 2 hours 15 minutes in one sitting. This guide explains the current PTE Academic format task by task, how scoring works, fees in India, where the score is accepted, and a 4-week preparation plan.
If your study material lists 20 task types, it is outdated. Two new speaking tasks, Respond to a Situation and Summarise Group Discussion, were added on 7 August 2025.
PTE Academic at a Glance
| Detail | PTE Academic (2026) |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Pearson |
| Mode | Computer-based at a test centre |
| Duration | About 2 hours 15 minutes, no scheduled break |
| Sections | Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening |
| Task types | 22 (plus an unscored personal introduction) |
| Score scale | 10 – 90 overall and for each skill |
| Results | Usually within 2 working days |
| Score validity | 2 years for most institutions and visa purposes |
| Fee in India | About ₹18,900 (check pearsonpte.com for the current fee) |
PTE Academic Test Format (After the August 2025 Update)
Part 1: Speaking & Writing (about 54–77 minutes)
| Task | What you do |
|---|---|
| Personal Introduction (unscored) | Introduce yourself for 30 seconds |
| Read Aloud | Read a short text aloud |
| Repeat Sentence | Repeat a sentence you hear |
| Describe Image | Describe a graph, chart, map or picture |
| Re-tell Lecture | Retell a short lecture in your own words |
| Answer Short Question | Answer a simple question in a word or two |
| Summarise Group Discussion (new) | Listen to a discussion and summarise the main points aloud |
| Respond to a Situation (new) | Respond aloud, appropriately, to a described everyday situation |
| Summarise Written Text | Write a one-sentence summary of a passage |
| Write Essay | Write a 200–300 word argumentative essay |
Part 2: Reading (about 29–30 minutes)
| Task | What you do |
|---|---|
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks | Choose words from drop-downs to complete a text |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Select all correct answers |
| Re-order Paragraphs | Put sentences in the right order |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Drag words into gaps |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Select one correct answer |
Part 3: Listening (about 30–43 minutes)
| Task | What you do |
|---|---|
| Summarise Spoken Text | Write a 50–70 word summary of a recording |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | Select all correct answers |
| Fill in the Blanks | Type missing words in a transcript |
| Highlight Correct Summary | Pick the paragraph that best summarises a recording |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Select one correct answer |
| Select Missing Word | Choose the word that completes a recording |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | Click words in a transcript that differ from the audio |
| Write from Dictation | Type a sentence exactly as you hear it |
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How PTE Academic Is Scored
- AI scoring: responses are scored automatically on Pearson's Global Scale of English, which keeps scoring consistent.
- Integrated skills: many tasks count towards more than one skill. For example, Write from Dictation affects both Listening and Writing, and Read Aloud affects both Speaking and Reading.
- High-value tasks: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks, and Write from Dictation contribute heavily to several scores, so drill them most.
- Enabling skills such as fluency and pronunciation are judged within speaking tasks.
PTE vs IELTS score comparison (approximate)
| IELTS band | Approx. PTE score |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 46 – 50 |
| 6.5 | 56 – 58 |
| 7.0 | 65 – 66 |
| 7.5 | 73 – 75 |
| 8.0 | 79 – 82 |
Concordance figures vary by institution and visa type; always check the score your university or visa route asks for.
Where Is PTE Academic Accepted?
| Country | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Australia | University admissions and all visa types |
| United Kingdom | University admissions; use PTE Academic UKVI for UK visas |
| Canada | University admissions and study permits (PTE Core is the version for economic immigration) |
| New Zealand | University admissions and visas |
| United States | Accepted by a large and growing number of universities |
| Ireland, Singapore and others | Widely accepted by universities |
Check each university's admission page for the minimum overall and per-skill scores.
4-Week PTE Academic Preparation Plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Learn every task type; take one full practice test to get a baseline |
| 2 | Drill high-value tasks daily: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, R&W Fill in the Blanks |
| 3 | Practise the two new speaking tasks; essay and summary templates; timed sections |
| 4 | Two to three full scored practice tests; fix weak tasks; rest before test day |
Tips that move your score
- Fluency beats perfection. Keep speaking without long pauses or self-corrections; hesitation costs more than a minor mistake.
- Microphone discipline. Speak at a steady volume, start within three seconds and stop when you are done.
- Spelling counts in writing and dictation tasks. Pick British or American spelling and stay consistent.
- Watch the timer per section. Reading and Listening have no separate per-task timer for most items.
Not sure whether PTE or IELTS suits you? Read PTE vs IELTS: which exam is easier for you, the PTE exam page and our top 10 IELTS coaching in India. You can also try the free IELTS mock test to compare formats.
PTE Academic — FAQs
⚠️ Disclaimer: Format and fee details are based on Pearson's 2025–26 test information as reported publicly. Fees and acceptance rules change; confirm on pearsonpte.com and with your university or visa authority.
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Naman
Co-Founder, Content Writer & Editor, MyExamTrack
Naman Sharma is the co-founder of MyExamTrack and writes and edits its exam guides, coaching rankings and preparation tools. Naman has 5 years of experience in edtech, and every guide is built around official exam notices and verified institute data.
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