PTE Academic Test Format
PTE Speaking and Writing Module
Read Aloud
Prompt Length
Text up to 60 words
Skills Assessed
Reading and speaking
Time to Answer
Varies by item, depending on the length of text.
Repeat Sentences
Prompt Length
3–9 seconds
Skills Assessed
Listening and speaking
Time to Answer
15 seconds
Describe Image
Prompt Length
Not applicable
Skills Assessed
Speaking
Time to Answer
40 seconds
Retell Lecture
Prompt Length
Up to 90 seconds
Skills Assessed
Listening and speaking
Time to Answer
40 seconds
Answer Short Questions
Prompt Length
3–9 seconds
Skills Assessed
Listening and speaking
Time to Answer
10 seconds
Summarize Written Text
Prompt Length
Text up to 300 words
Skills Assessed
Reading and writing
Time to Answer
10 minutes
Essay
Task
Write a 200–300 word essay on a given topic.
Prompt Length
2–3 sentences
Skills Assessed
Writing
Time to Answer
20 minutes
PTE Reading module
Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks
Multiple Choice: Multiple Answers
Multiple Choice: Multiple
Reorder paragraphs
Task
Text appears on-screen with several gaps. Drag words from the box below to fill the gaps.
Prompt Length
Text up to 300 words
Skills Assessed
Reading and writing
Time to Answer
Not applicable