Why PTE Practice Tests Matter
PTE Academic is a computer-based test, which means it is scored by an AI algorithm — not a human examiner. This makes it very different from IELTS. The algorithm looks for specific patterns: correct pronunciation, complete sentences, relevant keywords, and accurate responses to prompts.
Practice tests are not just helpful for PTE — they are essential. You must understand exactly how the AI scores each task before you sit the exam.
PTE Academic Test Structure
| Section | Time | Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 54–67 minutes | Personal Introduction, Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question, Summarise Written Text, Write Essay |
| Reading | 29–30 minutes | Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Re-order Paragraphs |
| Listening | 30–43 minutes | Summarise Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, Write from Dictation |
Total test time: Approximately 2 hours
PTE Practice Test: Speaking Tasks
Read Aloud
You are shown a text (up to 60 words) and must read it aloud clearly after a beep. You have 30–40 seconds.
Practice tip: Practise reading passages aloud every day for 15 minutes. Focus on:
- Natural pacing (not too fast, not too slow)
- Clear pronunciation of each word
- Rising and falling intonation at punctuation marks
Sample practice prompt:
“The development of renewable energy has become a global priority. Governments around the world are investing heavily in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.”
Repeat Sentence
You hear a sentence (3–9 seconds) and must repeat it exactly — same words, same order, same pronunciation.
Practice tip: This task tests both listening and speaking simultaneously. Practise by listening to short podcast clips and repeating what you hear verbatim.
Describe Image
You see an image (graph, chart, map, diagram, or picture) and have 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to describe it.
Template to use:
“This image shows [type of graph/chart]. Overall, the most significant feature is [main trend/point]. In terms of [specific aspect], [data point]. In comparison, [second data point]. To summarise, [conclusion].”
Re-tell Lecture
You listen to a 60–90 second audio clip (lecture) and then re-tell the main points in 40 seconds.
Practice tip: While listening, take quick notes of: topic, key points, examples, and conclusion. You do not need to repeat everything — focus on the main ideas.
Answer Short Question
You hear a question and must answer in 1–3 words.
Examples:
- “What do we call a person who studies the stars?” → Astronomer
- “What is the boiling point of water?” → 100 degrees Celsius
- “What do we call the money paid to an employee?” → Salary / Wage
Practice tip: Build your general knowledge vocabulary. These questions cover science, everyday life, geography, and common facts.
PTE Practice Test: Reading Tasks
Re-order Paragraphs
You are given 4–6 text boxes in random order and must arrange them into a logical paragraph.
Strategy:
- Find the opening sentence (introduces a topic, no pronouns referring back)
- Find the closing sentence (conclusion, summary)
- Use linking words and pronouns to connect the middle sentences
Reading Fill in the Blanks
A passage with blanks. A word bank is provided. Drag words to fill the blanks.
Strategy: Read the entire passage first. Consider grammar (is it a noun, verb, adjective?) and collocation (what words go naturally with the surrounding words?).
PTE Practice Test: Listening Tasks
Write from Dictation
You hear a short sentence once and must type it exactly.
This task is one of the highest-scoring in PTE. Each word typed correctly earns a point. Each incorrect word loses a point.
Practice tip: Practise transcribing short audio clips daily. Focus on:
- Spelling accuracy
- Hearing function words (the, a, in, on, of)
- Recognising numbers and proper nouns
Highlight Incorrect Words
You hear audio while reading a transcript. Some words in the transcript differ from what is spoken. You must identify and click those words.
Strategy: Read slightly ahead of the audio. Mark any word that sounds different from what you see.
Free PTE Practice Resources
Official:
- Pearson PTE Official Practice App (free basic version available)
- PTE Academic Official Sample Questions (pearsonpte.com)
Additional practice:
- E2 Language PTE Practice (YouTube channel with free tutorials)
- PTE Magic and PTE Gold (online practice platforms)
- The Academy of IELTS digital portal (TCY Online — available to enrolled students)
PTE Practice Schedule – 4 Weeks to Exam
Week 1: Understand all task types. Complete 1 scored practice test to establish your baseline.
Week 2: Focus on your 3 weakest tasks. Do targeted daily drills. Practise Read Aloud and Write from Dictation every day.
Week 3: Complete 2 full timed mock tests. Analyse errors. Focus on Describe Image templates and Re-tell Lecture notes.
Week 4: Complete 1 full mock test every 2 days. Review scores. Fine-tune pronunciation and Repeat Sentence accuracy.
Enroll at The Academy of IELTS for access to 30+ PTE mock tests and personal score reports.
[Book Free PTE Assessment] [View PTE Courses]
PTE Templates Guide 2026
Page Slug: /pte-templates-guide/ Meta Title: PTE Templates Guide 2026 – Speaking & Writing Templates | The Academy of IELTS Meta Description: Master PTE Academic with proven templates for Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Summarise Written Text, and Essay Writing. Boost your score fast. Focus Keyword: PTE templates Secondary Keywords: PTE describe image template, PTE essay template, PTE writing templates, PTE speaking templates Pakistan
What Are PTE Templates and Do They Work?
PTE templates are structured frameworks that guide your response for specific task types. Because PTE is scored by an AI, templates are highly effective — the algorithm looks for logical structure, relevant content, and grammatical accuracy. A well-used template helps you deliver all three consistently.
Important: Templates are frameworks, not scripts. You must fill in the content from each specific question. Do not memorise and repeat the exact same words for every answer — the AI detects repetitive phrasing and penalises it.
Template 1: Describe Image (Speaking)
Time: 25 seconds to prepare, 40 seconds to speak
Universal Template:
“This [image/graph/chart/diagram] illustrates [topic/subject]. Overall, the most notable feature is [main observation].
Looking at the data in more detail, [specific point 1 with data]. In comparison, [specific point 2 with data]. It is also worth noting that [point 3 or trend].
In conclusion, the [image/graph] clearly demonstrates [summary statement].”
For bar charts and line graphs:
“The graph shows [subject] over the period from [year] to [year]. The most significant trend is [main finding]. [Category A] reached its highest point at [value], while [Category B] showed a [rise/fall] to [value]. Overall, the data suggests that [conclusion].”
For pie charts:
“This pie chart presents the distribution of [subject]. The largest proportion is accounted for by [category] at [%], followed by [second category] at [%]. The smallest share belongs to [category] at [%]. Together, these figures indicate that [summary].”
For process diagrams:
“This diagram illustrates the process of [subject]. The process begins with [step 1] and involves [number] main stages. First, [stage 1]. This is followed by [stage 2]. Finally, [last stage], resulting in [end product/outcome].”
Template 2: Re-tell Lecture (Speaking)
Time: Listen to a 60–90 second lecture, then speak for 40 seconds
Template:
“The lecture discusses [main topic]. The speaker begins by explaining [opening point]. It is mentioned that [key fact or statistic]. Furthermore, the speaker highlights [important point 2]. Finally, [conclusion or implication]. Overall, the lecture focuses on [summary].”
Fill-in strategy during listening: Take notes on:
- Topic (1–2 words)
- Key point 1
- Key point 2
- Any number/statistic mentioned
- Conclusion
You do not need to remember everything — 3–4 clear points delivered fluently scores better than a rushed, incomplete retelling of every detail.
Template 3: Answer Short Question (Speaking)
No template needed — answers are 1–3 words. Focus on vocabulary building for science, health, geography, and everyday life topics.
Template 4: Summarise Written Text (Writing)
Task: Read a passage (up to 300 words) and write a one-sentence summary in 5–75 words.
Template:
“[Main subject] [main verb phrase], which [consequence/result], as [supporting reason], while [contrasting or additional point], ultimately [conclusion or implication].”
Example:
“Urban migration has significantly increased population density in major cities, which has placed considerable strain on housing and infrastructure, as rural areas continue to face economic decline, while governments struggle to develop effective long-term urban planning policies.”
Rules:
- It must be one sentence only (use commas and relative clauses, not full stops)
- Between 5 and 75 words
- Must capture the main idea of the whole passage
- Must be grammatically correct
Template 5: Write Essay (Writing)
Task: Write a 200–300 word argumentative essay in 20 minutes
4-Paragraph Template:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction (2–3 sentences)
“[Paraphrase the prompt]. There are compelling arguments both for and against this view. This essay will argue that [your position].”
Paragraph 2 – Body 1: Your main argument (4–5 sentences)
“The primary reason [supporting your position] is that [argument]. This is because [explanation]. For example, [specific example or evidence]. As a result, [consequence]. Therefore, it is clear that [link back to thesis].”
Paragraph 3 – Body 2: Counter-argument + rebuttal OR second supporting point (4–5 sentences)
“On the other hand, some argue that [opposing view]. While this perspective has merit, [rebuttal/limitation]. Despite this, [your argument holds because].”
OR (if writing two supporting points):
“Furthermore, another significant advantage of [your position] is [second argument]. This can be seen in [example]. Consequently, [point reinforcement].”
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion (2–3 sentences)
“In conclusion, while [acknowledge opposing view briefly], it is clear that [restate your position]. [Final recommendation or implication].”
Template 6: Summarise Spoken Text (Listening)
Task: Listen to a 60–90 second audio clip and write a 50–70 word summary
Template:
“The recording discusses [main topic]. The speaker explains that [key point 1]. It is also noted that [key point 2]. Additionally, [supporting detail]. In conclusion, the speaker emphasises that [final point or implication].”
Common PTE Template Mistakes
- Repeating the template opening word-for-word every time — vary your sentence starters
- Leaving blanks in the template — always fill every part with relevant content from the task
- Over-relying on templates in Describe Image — if the image is unusual (a photo, map, etc.), adapt your template rather than forcing a graph template onto it
- Writing a two-sentence summary in Summarise Written Text — it must be one sentence only
Our PTE coaching at The Academy of IELTS includes personalised template training, scored practice tests, and 1-on-1 feedback sessions.
[Enroll in PTE Course] [Book Free PTE Consultation]
PTE Scoring System Explained 2026
Page Slug: /pte-scoring-system/ Meta Title: PTE Scoring System 2026 – How PTE is Scored & What Your Score Means | The Academy of IELTS Meta Description: Understand how PTE Academic is scored by AI. Learn the PTE score range, how enabling skills work, and what score you need for Australia, Canada, and UK. Focus Keyword: PTE scoring system Secondary Keywords: PTE score guide, PTE score for Australia PR, PTE score calculator, how is PTE scored
How is PTE Academic Scored?
PTE Academic is scored entirely by Pearson’s AI scoring engine — not by human examiners. This makes PTE faster to receive results (usually within 24–48 hours) and removes any possibility of examiner bias.
The AI assesses your responses against a database of thousands of scored samples and applies machine learning to evaluate your performance on multiple dimensions simultaneously.
PTE Score Range
PTE Academic uses a 10–90 score scale, where:
- 90 = highest possible score (Expert)
- 65+ = generally considered “good” for most purposes
- 50 = competent user
- 30 and below = limited proficiency
Most immigration and university requirements fall between 50 and 79.
PTE Communicative Skills Scores
Your PTE score report shows four Communicative Skills scores:
| Skill | Score Range | Tasks That Contribute |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 10–90 | Summarise Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Fill in Blanks, Write from Dictation, etc. |
| Reading | 10–90 | Fill in Blanks, Multiple Choice, Re-order Paragraphs |
| Speaking | 10–90 | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Re-tell Lecture, Answer Short Question |
| Writing | 10–90 | Summarise Written Text, Write Essay |
Key difference from IELTS: Some PTE tasks contribute to multiple skills simultaneously. For example, Read Aloud contributes to both Speaking and Reading. Write from Dictation contributes to both Writing and Listening. This is called the Enabling Skills system.
PTE Enabling Skills
Each task is also scored on individual enabling skills:
| Enabling Skill | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Correct use of English grammar |
| Oral Fluency | Natural rhythm and flow of speech |
| Pronunciation | Clarity and native-like pronunciation |
| Spelling | Accurate spelling in written tasks |
| Vocabulary | Range and accuracy of word choice |
| Written Discourse | Logical structure and coherence of writing |
These enabling skills scores appear on your score report alongside the communicative skills scores.
How Individual Tasks Are Scored
Partial Credit Tasks
Many PTE tasks use partial credit — you earn points for each correct element, not just for a fully correct response.
Example – Write from Dictation: If the sentence is 10 words and you type 8 correctly, you receive 8 points minus deductions for errors. Every correct word matters.
Example – Fill in the Blanks (Reading): Each correct answer earns +1 point. Incorrect answers do not lose points in Reading fill-in-the-blanks.
Correct / Incorrect Tasks
Some tasks are all-or-nothing:
- Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer — correct = full marks; incorrect = 0
Negative Marking
Beware: Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers uses negative marking. Each correct option selected earns points, but each incorrect option selected deducts points. It is sometimes better to select fewer options if you are unsure.
What Score Do You Need?
🇦🇺 Australia – Skilled Migration
| Score | Points (SkillSelect) |
|---|---|
| 79+ (Superior) | 20 points |
| 65–78 (Competent) | 10 points |
| 50–64 (Vocational English) | Points possible but fewer |
Most Australian PR pathways require Competent English = PTE 50 in each band (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
Superior English (all bands 79+) is required for maximum points.
🇦🇺 Australia – Student Visa (SDS)
Most universities: Overall PTE 50–58 depending on institution and course.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Student Route
Overall PTE 51–59 for most undergraduate courses. Some courses require 59+.
🇨🇦 Canada – Immigration
Canada accepts PTE for Express Entry. Required scores vary; a CLB 9 equivalent generally requires PTE 79+ in all skills.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Most universities and residency pathways: Overall PTE 50–65.
PTE vs IELTS Score Comparison
| IELTS Band | PTE Score Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 86–90 |
| 8.0 | 79–85 |
| 7.5 | 73–78 |
| 7.0 | 65–72 |
| 6.5 | 58–64 |
| 6.0 | 50–57 |
| 5.5 | 42–49 |
| 5.0 | 36–41 |
These are approximate equivalents. Different institutions may use their own conversion tables.
Why Students Choose PTE Over IELTS
- Results in 24–48 hours (vs 3–13 days for IELTS)
- More test dates available per month
- AI scoring removes examiner bias in Speaking and Writing
- Templates are highly effective for predictable score improvement
- Computer-based typing suits students who struggle with handwritten writing under pressure
- Score validity is 2 years (same as IELTS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I retake PTE if I am unhappy with my score? Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can take PTE. Many students retake within 2–4 weeks after targeted preparation.
Q: What is a good PTE score for Australian PR? A score of 65+ in each of the four communicative skills is considered “Competent English” and meets most Australian visa requirements. A score of 79+ in all skills is “Superior” and earns maximum immigration points.
Q: Is it easier to get a high score in PTE or IELTS? This depends on your strengths. Students who are strong at typing, have good pronunciation, and adapt well to templates often find PTE more predictable. Students who prefer hand-written essays and face-to-face speaking may prefer IELTS.
Q: How are Describe Image answers scored? The AI scores on oral fluency, pronunciation, and content. You earn content points by including relevant keywords from the image. You do not need to be perfectly accurate — covering the main trends and labels is sufficient.
Confused about whether to take IELTS or PTE? Our counsellors at The Academy of IELTS will assess your profile and recommend the right exam for your goals — for free.
[Book Free Counselling] [View PTE Courses]