Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) Reading Syllabus

Reading syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Reading in Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Multiple-Choice Reading Tasks

   3 topics

   • Multiple-Choice, Single Answer
     • Identifying one correct option from a short passage
     • No negative marking on single-answer items
   • Multiple-Choice, Multiple Answers
     • Selecting all correct options
     • Negative marking for incorrect selections
   • Inference and Detail Questions
     • Distinguishing stated facts from implications
     • Author purpose, tone and attitude
2. 2

   Re-order Paragraphs

   3 topics

   • Task Mechanics
     • Drag-and-drop ordering of text boxes
   • Cohesion Cues
     • Identifying the topic or lead sentence
     • Pronoun references and linking devices
   • Logical Sequencing
     • Chronological and cause-effect ordering
3. 3

   Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

   3 topics

   • Reading Fill in the Blanks (Drag-and-Drop)
     • Choosing words from a shared word bank
     • Grammatical and contextual fit
   • Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)
     • Selecting from dropdown options per gap
     • Collocation and meaning-based choice
   • Partial Credit Scoring
     • Marks earned per correctly filled blank
4. 4

   Reading Sub-Skills and Strategy

   3 topics

   • Skimming and Scanning
     • Gist reading for main ideas
     • Locating specific information quickly
   • Vocabulary in Context
     • Inferring meaning from surrounding text
     • Recognising synonyms and paraphrase
   • Section Timing
     • Pacing across single section-level timer
     • Allocating time to high-value item types

Reading flashcards for Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

21 of 51 cards from the Reading deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. How many sections does the PTE Academic test have, and which one contains the Reading tasks?

   The test has three main parts: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. Reading is its own dedicated section containing five task types.

2. What is the approximate time allotted for the entire PTE Academic Reading section?

   About 29 to 30 minutes, during which the test-taker completes all reading task types with no per-question timer (the whole section is timed together).

3. In 'Reading: Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer', how many options are correct and what must you do?

   Exactly one option is correct. You read a passage (up to ~300 words) and select the single best answer to a question by clicking one radio button.

4. How is 'Reading: Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer' scored?

   It is scored 1 point for a correct response and 0 for incorrect. There is no negative marking, so you should always answer.

5. In 'Reading: Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers', how do you select answers and how many are correct?

   You select answers using checkboxes (more than one). There can be two or more correct options; the number correct is not stated, so you must judge each option.

6. How is partial credit applied in 'Reading: Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers'?

   You earn +1 for each correct option selected and lose 1 (-1) for each incorrect option selected. The minimum score for the item is 0 (it cannot go negative).

7. In Multiple-Choice Multiple Answers, why is guessing all options a poor strategy?

   Because each wrong selection deducts a point. Selecting everything cancels gains with penalties and risks a net score of 0, so only select options you are confident are correct.

8. What is the difference between a 'detail' question and an 'inference' question in PTE Reading?

   A detail question asks for information stated explicitly in the text; an inference question asks you to deduce something implied but not directly stated, using evidence from the passage.

9. What strategy distinguishes correct inferences from wrong ones in PTE Reading multiple-choice?

   A correct inference must be supported by textual evidence and follow logically; distractors often overstate, contradict, or introduce information not grounded in the passage.

10. Describe the task mechanics of 'Re-order Paragraphs' in PTE Reading.

    Text boxes appear in a jumbled order in a left 'Source' panel; you drag them (or use arrows) into a 'Target' panel to arrange them into a single logical, coherent paragraph sequence.

11. How is 'Re-order Paragraphs' scored in PTE Academic?

    It uses partial credit based on adjacent pairs: you earn 1 point for each pair of boxes that are correctly placed next to each other (in the right order), not for absolute position.

12. For 'Re-order Paragraphs', if there are 5 boxes, what is the maximum possible score?

    The maximum is the number of adjacent pairs, which is one less than the number of boxes. For 5 boxes, the maximum is $5-1 = 4$ points.

13. What is the first step strategy for solving 'Re-order Paragraphs'?

    Identify the topic/opening sentence first, the one that introduces the subject without referring back (no pronouns or linking words pointing to prior text), as it usually goes first.

14. What are 'cohesion cues' and why are they vital in Re-order Paragraphs?

    Cohesion cues are linguistic signals (pronouns, reference words, conjunctions, repeated/synonymous terms) that link sentences. They reveal which box must follow another, anchoring the correct sequence.

15. Give three examples of referential cohesion cues that indicate a sentence cannot be first.

    Pronouns (it, they, this, these, such), demonstratives referring back (that approach), and connectives (however, therefore, moreover) that depend on prior content.

16. How do transition words signal logical sequencing in a reordered paragraph?

    Words like 'first/then/finally' signal time order; 'however/in contrast' signal a shift; 'as a result/therefore' signal cause-effect, helping you chain boxes in logical order.

17. Describe the task mechanics of 'Reading: Fill in the Blanks' (the drag-and-drop type).

    A passage (~80 words) has several blanks. A bank of word options sits below the text; you drag and drop the correct word from the bank into each blank. There are more words than blanks (distractors).

18. How is 'Reading: Fill in the Blanks' (drag-and-drop) scored?

    Partial credit: 1 point for each blank correctly filled. There is no negative marking, so every blank should be filled even if you are unsure.

19. Which language skills are primarily assessed by 'Reading: Fill in the Blanks' (drag-and-drop)?

    Reading skills only, specifically vocabulary and the ability to understand academic text by using collocations, context, and grammar to choose the correct words.

20. Describe the task mechanics of 'Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks' (the dropdown type).

    A passage (~300 words) contains several blanks, each shown as a dropdown menu. You click each dropdown and select the single most appropriate word from the listed options.

21. How is 'Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks' scored, and which skills does it test?

    Partial credit of 1 point per correctly selected dropdown, no negative marking. It assesses both reading and writing skills (vocabulary, grammar, and meaning in context).

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Planning Reading for Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

Reading (Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)) FAQ