Pearson PTE Test – Exam Pattern and Tips to Prepare

Want to Immigrate to Canada or Anywhere else? English Language Proficiency is the most basic and as well as important requirement while immigrating or studying in any country. So we are going to discuss the Pearson PTE which is an alternative to the IELTS language proficiency test.

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Pearson PTE

PTE is a framework and was developed by the Council of Europe. It was originally developed by the University of London Schools Examination Board in 1982. 

In the recent news of Canada, the Pearson PTE test is finally designated by IRCC and Canada will soon implement the PTE test in late December 2023 for Canadian immigration applications. IELTS and CELPIP are 2 English proficiency tests ruled in Canada for decades, but Now the Pearson PTE test will soon shake hands with IELTS and CELPIP and Become three English Language Proficiency Tests for Canadian immigration applications.

Pearson PTE types

In general, there are 3 types of Pearson PTE exams available for Candidates:

1. PTE Academic Exam: This type is used for testing readiness in university-level English language usage.
2. PTE General Exam: This type is used for testing readiness in using the International English Language for international work environments. 

Eligibility for PTE Academic

Candidates will be able to give PTE after qualifying the eligibility criteria:

1. Candidates who are below 18 years old need parental consent.
2. PTE never set any minimum qualification rules. The exam’s purpose is for anyone willing to study undergraduate or postgraduate-level courses. 
3. PTE gives full right to give as many attempts a candidate wants to take, but making sure that the attempts have a 5-day gap between two tests is necessary.

Note: PTE Academic Online is taken at home by the applicant whereas PTE Academic is taken at test centres.

Interesting to read: How to get job in Canada after MBA from India

Process to apply for PTE test

The process of applying for the PTE test takes only a few steps. Before starting the process, candidates have to be on Pearson PTE test’s official website and then follow all process leads:

1. Candidates have to create an account with Pearson by clicking on the signup button.
2. Now applicants have to LOG into my PTE account and set up the profile. 
3. To complete the booking questions which are asked during the login time. 
4. Now find the preferable PTE exam appointment (test center, date, and time slot). 
5. Make sure you review your PTE booking details. 
6. End the registration session by making the payment and finalizing the PTE exam booking.

Pearson PTE exam fee in India

The fee for PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online is ₹15,900 INR each and the Prices are inclusive of 18% tax.

PTE Exam pattern

Pearson PTE exam is a computer-based, AI, machine-scored English Language readiness test. In PTE there are 3 categories of exams taken in this. See the exam patterns in the table listed below: 

Speaking & Writing
Types of items for Speaking & Writing	No. of test items for Speaking & Writing
Personal Introduction	38 – 47
Read aloud
Repeat sentence
Describe image
Re-tell lecture
Short Question
Summarise Written Test
Essay Writing

Listening
Types of items for Speaking & Writing	No. of test items for Speaking & Writing
Summarise spoken text	17 – 25
MCQ – multiple answers
MCQ – single answer
Fill in the blanks
Highlight correct summary
Highlight incorrect word
Select missing word
Write from dictation

Reading
Types of items for Speaking & Writing	No. of test items for Speaking & Writing
Fill in the blanks	15 – 20
MCQ – multiple answers
MCQ – single answer
Re-order paragraph

Scoring Pattern of PTE Academic Test
CORRECT / INCORRECT	PARTIAL CREDIT
Correct/Incorrect scoring based on 1 point when you answer other you score 0 when you answer incorrect	Partial credit scoring factor is based on correct, partially correct, or incorrect, it just depends upon 1 formal aspect and 2 response qualities.

Strategies to prepare for the Pearson PTE

See the strategies to prepare for the PTE test in the below:

1. Candidates have to know their target score
2. Applicants need to know the test format before starting to prepare for the PTE test. 
3. Candidates have to understand the algorithm of how the test is scored. 
4. Candidates have to explore and choose their preparation resources. Make sure you do not waste too much time. 
5. Now candidates are good to go with the flow. 

How to prepare for the Pearson PTE test?

To prepare for the Pearson PTE test, candidates have to first know their strengths and weaknesses. Taking a mock test will help applicants to know at what point they are struggling. It will also help you to understand where you stand in terms of language readiness. There are many websites providing Pearson PTE test mock tests. You can use them to enhance your ability.

Here is the list of how to prepare for the PTE test:

1. Preparation Time Management: If the candidate’s mock test is on the upper side of 70 then 2 weeks of hard preparation is the minimum requirement. It means if you give 10 hours every 2 weeks then no one can hold you to pass the test with dreamy numbers. If the score is below 70, then it might take longer to prepare.
2. Right Study Materials: Candidates get stuck in various study materials on the websites and waste too much time on it. It is important to select the right study materials, you can find the PTE exam book on the official PTE test website.
3. Know how the PTE test is scored: PTE is conducted in 3 categories for all candidates which are speaking and writing, reading and listening.  For speaking and writing, candidates have 54-67 minutes. For Reading, it will take 29-30 minutes to complete the test and for Listening, it will take 30-43 minutes to complete. The overall score is graded between 10 and 90.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice: Candidates can take the PTE course to do more and more practice.

PTE exam vs IELTS

Let’s talk about the basic difference between the PTE exam and IELTS. The main difference is that the IELTS offers a choice between exam paper-based and a computer-delivered exam. Whereas the Pearson PTE test is all computer-based and marked by a machine. IELTS’s speaking action is conducted in a face-to-face form with an examiner, but PTE candidates have to speak to the computer. 

Difference Between PTE Exam and IELTS
Pearson PTE Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
	This section varies between 45 and 57 minutes. Answers a series of questions based on audio and video clips.	This section varies between 32 to 40 minutes. Questions include a complete objective exercise such as MCQs, fill in the blanks and sequencing paragraphs of texts.	In the PTE test, writing and speaking are merged and make a single section. This section is about 77 to 93 minutes, candidates must do all the tasks, such as introducing themselves, reading aloud, describing images, summarizing texts, and writing essays.
IELTS General Training	In this section candidates have to answer 40 questions in 30 minutes across four recordings	This section requires candidates to answer 40 questions in 30 minutes across 3 texts	In this section 2 essays should be written by the students in 60 minutes.	This section requires candidates to speak to the examiner about themselves, give an opinion about a topic, or discuss abstract concepts.

Pearson Test of English exam date 2023

Months of PTE	Exam Dates of PTE
January	6, 13, 19, 20, and 27
February	3, 10, 17, and 24
March	3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
April	3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28, and 29
May	1, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, and 29
June	2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 29, and 30
July	7, 14, 27, and 28
August	4, 11, 18, 25
September	Whole month
October	1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31
November	Whole month except 8 November
December	Whole month

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