Two or more sentences score zero on form — it must be a single sentence

Going over (or far under) the range loses the form mark

Capture the main idea

Content scores on whether you included the passage's key points

It scores writing too — a run-on or fragment costs grammar points

'While,' 'because,' and 'although' merge points into one clean sentence

Going under or over the range lowers your form score

Content scores on the key ideas, not minor details

It scores writing too — clean sentences earn marks

Use your own words rather than half-remembered phrases

Take notes while listening

You hear it once — jot the topic and 2–3 ideas as you go

How long is the PTE Academic exam?

About two hours in one session, with no scheduled break. The length varies slightly by the mix of tasks you draw. The three parts run in a fixed order: Speaking & Writing (roughly 76–84 minutes), then Reading (about 22–30 minutes), then Listening (about 31–39 minutes).

How many question types are on the PTE Academic?

There are 22 question types after the August 2025 enhancement: 9 in Speaking & Writing, 5 in Reading, and 8 in Listening. The 2025 update added two new Speaking & Writing tasks — Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. The exact number of items you see varies by test.

How is the PTE Academic scored?

PTE Academic is scored from 10 to 90 on the Global Scale of English. You receive one overall score plus four communicative-skill scores — Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. AI does the scoring, with human review on some written responses. There is no fixed pass mark; each institution sets its own minimum.

What is a good PTE Academic score?

There is no universal passing score — a good score is whatever meets your university or visa requirement. As rough guidance, 59–75 aligns with CEFR B2, 76–84 with C1, and 85–90 with C2. Many undergraduate programs ask for around 58–65, and competitive or postgraduate routes ask for 65–79 and up.

Does the PTE Academic still report enabling skills?

No. Pearson removed the six enabling-skill subscores (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse) from the score report in November 2021. They were replaced by a private Skills Profile that only you can see. The report now shows your overall score and four communicative-skill scores.

What is integrated scoring on the PTE Academic?

Many PTE tasks are integrated, meaning one response counts toward more than one communicative skill. For example, Re-tell Lecture scores listening and speaking, Summarize Written Text scores reading and writing, and Write from Dictation scores listening and writing. That is why training every skill matters.

What is the difference between PTE Academic and PTE Core?

PTE Academic is an academic English test for university admission, student visas, and Australian and New Zealand migration. PTE Core is a separate general-English test approved by IRCC for Canadian economic immigration. If you want to study, take PTE Academic; PTE Core is for Canadian immigration.

When do I get my PTE Academic results, and is this study guide free?

Results are usually available within about two days and can take up to five working days. This study guide, plus our PTE practice test and flashcards, are 100% free with no account required.

How do you describe an image in PTE Academic?

Use a fixed template so you stay fluent: open by naming the visual ("The bar graph compares…"), state the single most obvious feature, add two or three specific details, then close with an overall trend. PTE's Describe Image task gives only about 40 seconds, so a memorized structure is essential. Lead with the headline feature — the highest value or clearest trend — rather than listing everything. The task scores oral fluency and pronunciation, so keep talking smoothly without long pauses, even if you skip minor details.

How do you write a Summarize Written Text response?

Write exactly ONE complete sentence (between 5 and 75 words) that captures the passage's main idea. Combine the key points with linking words such as 'while,' 'because,' or 'although' so it reads as a single grammatical sentence. Using two sentences or going over the word limit scores zero on form. Identify the topic sentence and the one or two main supporting ideas, then merge them into a single complex sentence. The task is integrated — it scores both reading comprehension and writing, so the sentence must be accurate and grammatical.

How do you structure a PTE essay?

Write 200–300 words in four paragraphs: an introduction that paraphrases the prompt and states a clear thesis, two body paragraphs that each develop one point with a reason and example, and a conclusion that restates your position. A clear, predictable structure earns marks for development and coherence. Identify the prompt type first — agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages, or problem/solution — and match your thesis to it. Leave a couple of minutes to proofread grammar, spelling, and word choice; form (staying within 200–300 words) is itself scored.

What is the difference between fluency and pronunciation?

Fluency is how smoothly and naturally you speak — steady rhythm, few hesitations or repetitions. Pronunciation is how clearly you produce individual sounds, stress, and intonation so a listener understands you. PTE's speaking tasks score both separately, so a clear but halting answer and a smooth but mumbled one each lose points. Train fluency by speaking in full phrases without restarting; train pronunciation by stressing the right syllables and word endings. You don't need a native accent — clarity and natural rhythm matter far more than sounding like any particular country.

What is subject-verb agreement?

Subject-verb agreement is the rule that a verb must match its subject in number — a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject a plural verb ("the result is" vs. "the results are"). It is heavily tested in PTE writing and fill-in-the-blank tasks, especially when words separate the subject from its verb. Mentally cross out phrases between subject and verb: 'the box of samples IS ready' agrees with 'box,' not 'samples.' With 'each,' 'every,' and 'neither…nor,' check carefully — 'each of the students IS' is singular.

What is parallel structure in writing?

Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for items in a list, pair, or comparison — "reading, writing, and speaking," not "reading, writing, and to speak." It makes sentences clear and balanced, and it is a common point tested in PTE writing and reading-and-writing fill-in-the-blank items. Check that every item after a verb or in a list shares the same form (all -ing, all infinitives, or all nouns). Faulty parallelism is a frequent error in essays — read your list items together to hear whether they match.

How do you find the meaning of a word in context?

Read the whole sentence (and the ones around it) and look for clues — definitions, examples, contrasts, or tone. Predict a meaning in your own words first, then match it to the best option. PTE Reading's fill-in-the-blanks and vocabulary items reward the meaning the sentence forces, not a word's broadest dictionary definition. Contrast words like 'but,' 'however,' and 'although' often signal the intended meaning. Collocation matters too — pick the word that naturally pairs with the surrounding words ('reach a conclusion,' not 'arrive a conclusion').

How do you re-order paragraphs in PTE Reading?

Find the topic sentence first — the one that introduces the subject and could stand alone without referring back. Then follow the linking signals: pronouns ('this,' 'they'), connectors ('however,' 'as a result'), and repeated nouns each point to the sentence that must come before. Order the rest by that chain of references. A sentence that starts with 'This,' 'Such,' or 'Therefore' cannot be first — it depends on an earlier idea. Read your final order straight through to confirm each sentence flows logically into the next.

What is the difference between a main idea and a supporting detail?

The main idea is the central point a passage makes — what the whole text is mostly about. Supporting details are the facts, examples, statistics, and reasons that explain or prove that main idea. PTE Reading questions often ask you to identify the central idea or the detail that best supports a claim. A topic sentence usually states the main idea; the surrounding sentences supply the details. Restating the passage in one sentence is the fastest check that you found the real main idea.

What is an inference in reading?

An inference is a logical conclusion you draw from evidence in the text plus reasoning — something the passage implies but doesn't state outright. PTE Reading rewards inferences that are forced by the evidence, not merely possible: if you can't point to a supporting line, it isn't the answer. Distinguish an inference (supported by the text) from a guess or your own opinion. The best answer is the one the passage makes nearly unavoidable, not the one that's simply plausible.

What is a transition word and why does it matter?

A transition is a word or phrase — however, therefore, for example, meanwhile — that signals the logical relationship between ideas. Recognizing transitions helps you complete fill-in-the-blank items, re-order paragraphs, and follow an argument. Pick the connector that fits the relationship: contrast, cause, addition, or example. Name the relationship first, then choose the matching transition: 'however' = contrast, 'therefore' = result. The wrong transition is a common trap — a contrast word where the ideas actually agree, for instance.

How do you take notes while listening to a lecture?

Don't try to write every word — capture the main idea and a few keywords, names, numbers, and signpost words ('first,' 'because,' 'in conclusion'). Use abbreviations and symbols. PTE listening tasks like Re-tell Lecture and Summarize Spoken Text reward a clear grasp of the main points over scattered details. Listen for structure: an introduction states the topic, the body gives reasons or examples, and the ending summarizes. Right after the audio, expand your notes into full ideas while they are fresh before you speak or write your response.

How do you write a good Summarize Spoken Text response?

Write 50–70 words that capture the lecture's main points in a few clear sentences. Note the topic and two or three key ideas as you listen, then turn your notes into accurate, grammatical sentences. Staying within the word range matters — going under or over the limit lowers your form score. This task is integrated, scoring both listening and writing, so comprehension and clean grammar both count. Paraphrase in your own words rather than copying phrases you half-remember — accuracy of meaning is what is graded.

How do you accurately transcribe a sentence you hear only once?

Catch the meaning first, then the exact words: jot the first letters or keywords as you listen, and reconstruct the full sentence from memory immediately after. Spelling matters because each correctly spelled word in the right place counts. This dictation skill underlies PTE's Write from Dictation and listening fill-in-the-blank tasks. Don't try to write every word in real time — note anchors (keywords, first letters), then rebuild the sentence. Type every word you did catch in the right order; partial, accurately spelled answers still earn credit.

What is the difference between listening for gist and listening for detail?

Listening for gist means grasping the overall main idea and purpose of a recording; listening for detail means catching specific facts, numbers, or words. PTE listening mixes both: Highlight Correct Summary needs the gist, while Fill in the Blanks and Highlight Incorrect Words need precise detail. Knowing which a task wants guides how you listen. For gist tasks, focus on the speaker's main argument and tone, not every word. For detail tasks, follow the transcript closely and track exact wording as you hear it.

How do you highlight incorrect words while listening?

Read the on-screen transcript while the audio plays and click any word that differs from what the speaker actually says. The trick is to read along at the speaker's pace with your eyes and ears together, so you catch the swapped word the moment you hear it. Falling behind means you miss the mismatch. Keep your cursor moving along the line you're reading so you can click instantly when a word doesn't match. Common swaps change a word to a similar-sounding or opposite one (rise/rose, increase/decrease) — listen for meaning, not just sound.

The four skills PTE reports as subscores — Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing — each on the 10–90 scale alongside the overall score.

Six sub-traits (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, written discourse) that PTE no longer reports separately — removed from the score report in November 2021.

Private, test-taker-only feedback that replaced the old enabling-skill subscores in 2021; it is not shared with the institutions that receive your score.

PTE's design in which one response can count toward more than one communicative skill — e.g., Re-tell Lecture scores listening and speaking.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1–C2); PTE scores align to it, with GSE 59–75 roughly B2, 76–84 C1, and 85–90 C2.

A speaking task: read a short text aloud after a brief preparation; scored on content, oral fluency, and pronunciation.

A speaking task: hear a sentence once and say it back exactly; scores listening and speaking.

A speaking task: describe a graph, chart, map, or picture in about 40 seconds using a fixed template.

FREE PTE Academic Study Guide 2026 + Readiness Score

This free PTE Academic study guide covers everything the Pearson Test of English Academic measures — Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening— organized to Pearson’s official test format and updated for the enhanced PTE Academic launched in August 2025.^[1]

It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every part has built-in checkpoint quizzes, flashcards, and practice questions, so you learn the tasks by doing them — not just reading about them.

PTE Academic is a computer-based, AI-scored English test taken in a single ≈2-hour session.^[1] It has 22 question types across three parts, and many tasks are — one response can score more than one skill.

It’s reported 10–90 on the with four scores, and there is no fixed pass mark — each institution sets its own minimum.^[6]

Read a part, test yourself at each checkpoint, then drill gaps with our free practice test and flashcards. This guide is a high-yield overview of every task and how to attack it — not a full coursebook.

PTE Academic Exam Snapshot

The PTE Academic at a glance
Detail	PTE Academic
Owner	Pearson (Pearson Test of English Academic)
Purpose	Academic English for university admission worldwide + Australia, New Zealand & UK visas
Delivery	Computer-based at a test center; AI-scored (some human review)
Parts	1) Speaking & Writing 2) Reading 3) Listening (taken in this fixed order)
Question types	22 total — 9 Speaking & Writing, 5 Reading, 8 Listening (after the Aug 2025 enhancement)
Total time	A single session of about 2 hours (varies slightly by test); no scheduled break
Score scale	10–90 on the Global Scale of English; overall + 4 communicative-skill scores
Passing score	None — each university or visa route sets its own minimum
Results	Usually within ~2 days; up to 5 working days

The three parts of PTE Academic (one ≈2-hour session)

Part 1 · Speaking & Writing

≈ 76–84 min · 9 types

Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation, Summarize Written Text, and Write Essay (plus an unscored Personal Introduction).

Part 2 · Reading

≈ 22–30 min · 5 types

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice (multiple answers), Re-order Paragraphs, Reading: Fill in the Blanks, and Multiple Choice (single answer).

Part 3 · Listening

≈ 31–39 min · 8 types

Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice (multiple & single answer), Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, and Write from Dictation.

Every section is computer-delivered and AI-scored. Many tasks are integrated — one response is graded against more than one skill.

Unlike a band-score test, PTE Academic gives you a number from 10 to 90 for your overall English and for each of the four skills.^[6] Here is how the scoring works and how the test broke from the old enabling-skill report:

PTE Academic score scale (10–90, Global Scale of English) — no pass/fail

Expert user (≈ C2 / IELTS ~8.5–9)
Near-native control. Exceeds the requirement of almost every university and visa route.
Very good user (≈ C1 / IELTS ~7–8)
Top-tier programs and skilled-migration streams often sit here.
Good user (≈ B2 / IELTS ~6–6.5)
A very common undergraduate and postgraduate admission band.
Competent user (≈ B1 / IELTS ~5–5.5)
Foundation/pathway programs and some visa minimums.
Modest / limited (≈ A1–A2)
Below most academic and migration requirements — more preparation needed.

CEFR/IELTS equivalences are approximate. Every institution sets its own minimum — check the exact score your university or visa route requires, and aim above it.

How PTE Academic Scoring Works

PTE reports your result on the — a continuous 10–90 scale that aligns to the . You get an overall score and a score for each of the four (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing).^[6] Because the test uses , a single task can feed several of those skill scores at once.

Integrated scoring — one task, several skills

TaskScoresWhy

Read AloudReading + SpeakingYou read a written text aloud — content (reading) and fluency/pronunciation (speaking) both score.

Re-tell LectureListening + SpeakingYou hear a lecture, then summarize it aloud — listening comprehension and speaking are both graded.

Summarize Written TextReading + WritingYou read a passage and write a one-sentence summary — reading and writing both contribute.

Summarize Spoken TextListening + WritingYou hear a talk and write a 50–70 word summary — listening and writing both score.

Write from DictationListening + WritingYou hear a sentence and type it exactly — it counts toward both your listening and writing scores.

Because tasks are integrated, weak listening can quietly drag down your writing and speaking scores — train every skill, not just the obvious one.

One change trips up students using old prep books: PTE removed the six (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, written discourse) from the score report in November 2021.^[7] They were replaced by a private that only you can see — so today the report shows just your overall and four communicative-skill scores. The AI still evaluates fluency, pronunciation, and grammar; it simply folds them into the skill scores rather than listing them separately.

PTE Academic question types by part

Speaking & Writing41% · 9 task types · ~76–84 min

Listening36% · 8 task types · ~31–39 min

Reading23% · 5 task types · ~22–30 min

Bars show each part’s share of the 22 question types, not its share of your score. All four skill scores draw on tasks from across the parts because of integrated scoring.

Part 1 · Speaking & Writing

9 task types, ~76–84 minutes. This is the longest part and it always comes first.^[2] Speaking tasks are recorded through your headset and scored by AI; the two writing tasks are timed separately. An unscored Personal Introduction opens the test for familiarization only — it does not count.

Speaking & Writing task types (Part 1 · 9 scored types)

Read Aloud

Read a short text aloud — you have ~30–40s to prepare; scored on reading content, oral fluency, and pronunciation.

Repeat Sentence

Hear a sentence and say it back exactly. Tests listening + speaking; aim for full, fluent repetition.

Describe Image

Describe an image (graph, map, chart, picture) in ~40s. Use a fixed template: overview → key features → trend.

Re-tell Lecture

Listen to a lecture, then summarize its main points aloud in ~40s. Take notes on key ideas as you listen.

Answer Short Question

Answer a simple factual question with one or a few words. Quick general-knowledge or vocabulary items.

Summarize Group Discussion (new)

Added Aug 2025: hear a discussion among ~3 speakers, then summarize it aloud (up to 2 minutes). Listening + speaking.

Respond to a Situation (new)

Added Aug 2025: read or hear a real-life situation, then give an extended spoken response (~40s). Speaking.

Summarize Written Text

Read a passage and write ONE complete sentence (≤75 words) capturing its main idea. Reading + writing.

Write Essay

Write a 200–300 word argumentative essay on a prompt in 20 minutes. Tests structure, development, and conventions.

A Personal Introduction opens the test but is not scored. Your microphone records all speaking tasks — speak at a steady, natural pace.

1.1 Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence & Short Answer

The shortest speaking tasks reward fluency and accuracy. In , a text appears and you read it aloud after a brief prep — scan for difficult words first, then read at a steady pace with clear stress.

In , you hear a sentence once and repeat it exactly; chunk it into meaning groups so you can reproduce the whole thing fluently even if you miss a word. wants a single correct word — listen for the key noun and answer fast.

Short speaking tasks — what each rewards
Task	What scores	Strategy
Read Aloud	Content, oral fluency, pronunciation	Use prep time to spot hard words; read steadily, don't rush or restart
Repeat Sentence	Listening + speaking	Chunk the sentence into phrases; repeat fluently, full sentence over perfect words
Answer Short Question	Listening + speaking	Catch the key word in the question; reply with one accurate word

1.2 Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture & the New 2025 Tasks

These longer speaking tasks all reward a memorized structure so you stay fluent for the whole response window. gives you a visual to describe in ~40 seconds — use a fixed template. asks you to summarize a short lecture aloud, so take quick notes on its main points.

The August 2025 enhancement added two tasks: (hear several speakers, then summarize their discussion for up to two minutes) and (give an extended spoken reply to a described real-life situation).^[5]

Describe Image — a reusable 40-second template

1
Open with what it is
Name the visual in one sentence: "The bar graph shows / compares…" — buy thinking time with a fixed opening line.
2
State the main feature
Point to the most obvious feature: the highest bar, the overall trend, the biggest category. Lead with the headline.
3
Add 2–3 key details
Give a few specific comparisons or figures ("X is roughly double Y; the lowest is Z"). Don't list everything — pick the standouts.
4
Close with a trend or conclusion
End with the takeaway: "Overall, the figure suggests an upward trend." A clean close keeps your oral fluency score up.

The template matters more than perfect content — keep talking fluently for the whole ~40 seconds without long pauses.

1.3 Summarize Written Text

is integrated: you read a passage of up to ~300 words and write one complete sentence of no more than 75 words that captures its main idea.^[2] Writing two sentences, or going over the word limit, scores zero on form — so structure matters as much as content. Identify the topic sentence and the one or two key supporting ideas, then merge them into a single grammatical sentence using linking words like “while,” “because,” or “although.”

Summarize Written Text — the rules
Rule	Why it matters
Exactly ONE sentence	Two or more sentences score zero on form — it must be a single sentence
5–75 words	Going over (or far under) the range loses the form mark
Capture the main idea	Content scores on whether you included the passage's key points
Stay grammatical	It scores writing too — a run-on or fragment costs grammar points
Use linking words	'While,' 'because,' and 'although' merge points into one clean sentence

1.4 Write Essay

gives you 20 minutes to write a 200–300 word argumentative essay on a prompt.^[2] It scores content, form (word count), development and structure, grammar, vocabulary range, and spelling — and a clear four-paragraph shape hits most of these at once. First decode the prompt type (agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages, problem/solution), pick a clear , and plan before you write.

Write Essay — 20 minutes, 200–300 words

1
Read & plan (≈2 min)
Decode the prompt type (agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages, problem/solution) and pick a clear position.
2
Write the introduction
Paraphrase the prompt and state your thesis. A clear thesis drives the whole essay's coherence.
3
Develop 2 body paragraphs
Each body paragraph makes one point with a reason and a specific example. Use transitions to link ideas.
4
Write a conclusion
Restate your position and summarize your reasons. Don't introduce new ideas at the end.
5
Proofread (≈2 min)
Fix grammar, spelling, and word choice. Aim for 200–300 words — too short or too long loses points.

The essay is scored on content, form (word count), development, structure, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling — a clear 4-paragraph shape hits most of these at once.

Checkpoint · Speaking & Writing

Question 1 of 8

Choose the option that completes the sentence with correct grammar: "Neither the manager nor the employees _____ aware of the schedule change."

Part 2 · Reading

5 task types, ~22–30 minutes. Reading is the shortest part and is all multiple choice and gap-fill — no writing or speaking is scored here, even where a task name says “Writing.”^[3] Pace yourself: with only ~25 minutes for several passages, don’t over-read any one item.

Reading task types (Part 2)

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

A passage has several drop-down blanks; pick the word that fits grammar AND meaning. Despite the name, Pearson scores Reading only.

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Choose every correct option about a passage. Negative marking: a wrong pick cancels a right one, so don't over-select.

Re-order Paragraphs

Drag jumbled sentences into a logical order. Find the topic sentence first, then follow the linking words.

Reading: Fill in the Blanks

Drag words from a box into blanks in a passage. Tests vocabulary and collocation in context.

Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Pick the one best answer about the passage's meaning, purpose, or detail. No negative marking here.

Watch the negative marking on multiple-answer items — only select options you are confident are correct.

2.1 Fill in the Blanks (both types)

PTE Reading has two gap-fill tasks. In , each blank is a drop-down — pick the word that fits both grammar and meaning. (Despite the “Writing” in the name, Pearson scores it as reading only.)^[3] In , you drag words from a shared word bank into the gaps. Both reward knowing — the words that naturally pair together.

The two Reading fill-in-the-blank tasks
Task	How it works	Key skill
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks	Choose from a drop-down at each gap	Grammar + meaning fit (scored reading only)
Reading: Fill in the Blanks	Drag words from a shared word bank	Vocabulary and collocation in context

2.2 Multiple Choice (single & multiple answers)

Two multiple-choice tasks test comprehension. asks for the one best answer about a passage’s meaning, purpose, or detail — no penalty for a wrong guess. asks you to select every correct option, and it uses : each wrong pick cancels a right one, so don’t over-select.

Reading multiple-choice tasks
Task	Select	Marking
Multiple Choice, Single Answer	Exactly one option	No negative marking — eliminate and choose the best
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers	Every correct option	Negative marking — a wrong pick cancels a right one

2.3 Re-order Paragraphs

gives you jumbled sentences to drag into a logical order. Find the topic sentence first — the one that introduces the subject without referring back to anything. Then follow the chain of reference words (this, they, such) and connectors (however, as a result) that link each sentence to the one before it.

Checkpoint · Reading

Question 1 of 8

PTE Reading: A passage notes that the city built more parks, the air quality improved, and residents reported feeling healthier. What is the main idea?

Part 3 · Listening

8 task types, ~31–39 minutes. Listening comes last and is central to your score because several of its tasks also feed your writing score.^[4] You hear each recording once, so as you listen. Use the erasable noteboard for keywords, names, and numbers.

Listening task types (Part 3)

Summarize Spoken Text

Hear a 60–90s lecture; write a 50–70 word summary. Scores listening + writing — take notes on the main points.

Multiple Choice (single & multiple)

Answer questions about a recording — single-answer and multiple-answer (the latter has negative marking).

Fill in the Blanks

A transcript has gaps; type the missing words as you hear them. Tests listening + spelling.

Highlight Correct Summary

Pick the paragraph that best summarizes what you heard. Listen for the overall gist, not just details.

Select Missing Word

The recording ends with a beep over the last word(s); choose the option that best completes it.

Highlight Incorrect Words

Read a transcript while listening; click the words that differ from what is spoken. Eyes and ears together.

Write from Dictation

Hear a sentence; type it word-for-word. High-value — it scores both listening and writing.

Write from Dictation is one of the highest-value listening tasks because it feeds both your listening and writing scores — practice it heavily.

3.1 Summarize Spoken Text & Multiple Choice

is a flagship integrated task: you hear a 60–90 second lecture and write a 50–70 word summary of its main points, scoring both listening and writing.^[4] Note the topic and two or three key ideas, then turn them into accurate, grammatical sentences within the word range. The two listening multiple-choice tasks work like their reading cousins — single-answer has no penalty, and multiple-answer uses .

Summarize Spoken Text — the rules
Rule	Why it matters
50–70 words	Going under or over the range lowers your form score
Capture main points	Content scores on the key ideas, not minor details
Stay grammatical	It scores writing too — clean sentences earn marks
Paraphrase	Use your own words rather than half-remembered phrases
Take notes while listening	You hear it once — jot the topic and 2–3 ideas as you go

3.2 Fill in the Blanks, Highlight & Select Missing Word

These tasks test precise listening. In Listening Fill in the Blanks, you type missing words into a transcript as you hear them (spelling counts). asks you to pick the paragraph that best captures the recording — listen for the overall gist.

has you read a transcript while listening and click the words that differ from what is spoken. And ends a recording with a beep over the last word(s) — choose the option that best completes the meaning.

Detail-focused listening tasks
Task	What you do	Watch out for
Fill in the Blanks	Type the missing words into a transcript	Spelling — a misspelled word scores zero
Highlight Correct Summary	Pick the best-matching summary paragraph	Choosing on one detail instead of the gist
Highlight Incorrect Words	Click words that differ from the audio	Falling behind the speaker's pace
Select Missing Word	Choose the option that completes the beep	Picking a word that sounds right but breaks meaning

3.3 Write from Dictation

is one of the highest-value tasks on the whole test: you hear a short sentence once and type it word-for-word, and it counts toward both your listening and writing scores.^[4] Each correctly spelled word in the right place earns a point, so accuracy and spelling both matter. Jot the first letters or keywords as you listen, then reconstruct the full sentence from memory.

Checkpoint · Listening

Question 1 of 7

PTE Listening 'Highlight Correct Summary': a lecture explains that volcanic ash can ground flights, harm engines, and reduce visibility, so airlines closely monitor eruptions. Which summary is correct?

How to Use This PTE Academic Study Guide

PTE Academic rewards familiarity with the task typesas much as raw English — so the smartest plan is to learn each task’s rules and template, then drill them:

Confirm your target score first. Check the exact PTE number your university or visa route requires, and aim a few points above it.
Learn one task at a time. Read a section, then take the end-of-part checkpoint to see which task types still feel shaky.
Train every skill — scoring is integrated. Weak listening drags down speaking and writing, so don’t neglect any part.
Memorize templates. Fixed openings for Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, and the essay remove hesitation and protect your fluency and structure scores.
Check off as you go. Mark each section done in the Study Guide Contents — it raises your exam-readiness score.
Drill weak spots. Send shaky task types into the flashcards and a practice test until they feel automatic.

PTE Academic Concept Questions

Common PTE Academic skills students search while studying — each answered briefly and backed by an official source. Test yourself, then drill them as flashcards.

PTE Academic Glossary

The high-yield PTE Academic terms — task types, scoring, and skills — in one place. Hover any dotted term in the guide, or flip the whole deck here as a self-grading flashcard set.

Answer Short Question: A speaking task: answer a simple factual question in one or a few words.
CEFR: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1–C2); PTE scores align to it, with GSE 59–75 roughly B2, 76–84 C1, and 85–90 C2.
Collocation: Words that naturally pair together (reach a conclusion, conduct research) — key to fill-in-the-blank items.
Communicative skills: The four skills PTE reports as subscores — Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing — each on the 10–90 scale alongside the overall score.
Describe Image: A speaking task: describe a graph, chart, map, or picture in about 40 seconds using a fixed template.
Enabling skills: Six sub-traits (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, written discourse) that PTE no longer reports separately — removed from the score report in November 2021.
Global Scale of English: Pearson's granular 10–90 scale for measuring English proficiency, more fine-grained than the CEFR bands it aligns to; PTE reports your overall and four skill scores on it.
Highlight Correct Summary: A listening task: pick the paragraph that best summarizes what you heard.
Highlight Incorrect Words: A listening task: read a transcript while listening and click the words that differ from what is spoken.
Inference: A logical conclusion drawn from textual evidence plus reasoning — implied but not stated outright.
Integrated scoring: PTE's design in which one response can count toward more than one communicative skill — e.g., Re-tell Lecture scores listening and speaking.
Main idea: The central point a passage or talk conveys — what the whole text is mostly about.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers: A task type where you select every correct option; it uses negative marking, so a wrong pick cancels a right one.
Multiple Choice, Single Answer: A task type where you select the one best option; no negative marking.
Negative marking: On multiple-answer items, an incorrect selection cancels a correct one — only choose options you are confident about.
Note-taking: Writing keywords, names, and numbers (not every word) to capture a talk's main points for later use.
Oral fluency: How smoothly and naturally you speak — steady rhythm, few hesitations or repetitions; a scored speaking trait.
Parallel structure: Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison (reading, writing, and speaking).
Paraphrase: Restating an idea in your own words while keeping the meaning — essential for summaries and essay introductions.
Re-order Paragraphs: A reading task: drag jumbled sentences into the correct logical order.
Re-tell Lecture: A speaking task: listen to a lecture, then summarize its main points aloud in your own words.
Read Aloud: A speaking task: read a short text aloud after a brief preparation; scored on content, oral fluency, and pronunciation.
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks: A reading task with drop-down blanks; pick the word that fits both grammar and meaning. Despite the name, Pearson scores reading only.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks: A reading task: drag words from a shared word bank into the gaps in a passage.
Repeat Sentence: A speaking task: hear a sentence once and say it back exactly; scores listening and speaking.
Respond to a Situation: A speaking task added in August 2025: read or hear a real-life situation, then give an extended spoken response.
Select Missing Word: A listening task: the recording ends with a beep over the final word(s); choose the option that best completes it.
Skills Profile: Private, test-taker-only feedback that replaced the old enabling-skill subscores in 2021; it is not shared with the institutions that receive your score.
Subject-verb agreement: The rule that a verb must match its subject in number (the result is vs. the results are).
Summarize Group Discussion: A speaking task added in August 2025: hear a discussion among several speakers, then summarize it aloud (up to two minutes).
Summarize Spoken Text: A listening task: hear a 60–90 second recording and write a 50–70 word summary of the main points.
Summarize Written Text: A writing task: read a passage and write one complete sentence (up to 75 words) capturing its main idea.
Thesis statement: A single sentence stating the clear, arguable position an essay will develop.
Word in context: The meaning of a word as it is used in a sentence, which can differ from its dictionary definition.
Write Essay: A writing task: write a 200–300 word argumentative essay on a prompt in 20 minutes.
Write from Dictation: A listening task: hear a short sentence and type it word-for-word; it scores both listening and writing.

PTE Academic Study Guide FAQ

PTE Academic is the Pearson Test of English Academic — a computer-based, AI-scored English test taken in a single sitting of about two hours. It measures academic English across three parts: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. It is accepted for university admission worldwide and for Australian, New Zealand, and UK visas.

References

1.Pearson. “PTE Academic — the test.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
2.Pearson. “PTE Academic test format: Speaking & Writing.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
3.Pearson. “PTE Academic test format: Reading.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
4.Pearson. “PTE Academic test format: Listening.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
5.Pearson. “PTE Academic just got better (2025 enhancement).” pearsonpte.com. ↑
6.Pearson. “PTE Academic scoring.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
7.Pearson. “The new PTE score report and Skills Profile.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
8.Pearson. “PTE Core vs PTE Academic.” pearsonpte.com. ↑
101.Pearson. “PTE Academic test format.” pearsonpte.com, accessed 20 June 2026. ↑
102.Pearson. “Prepare for PTE Academic.” pearsonpte.com, accessed 20 June 2026. ↑

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