Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) Test Overview, Format and Scoring Syllabus

What does the Re-order Paragraphs reading task require?

The candidate rearranges several jumbled text boxes into the correct logical order to form a coherent passage.

How is the Reading Multiple-Choice, Multiple-Answers item marked with respect to wrong choices?

It uses partial credit with negative marking: each correct option earns points and each incorrect selection deducts points, so guessing all options is penalised.

What does the Summarize Spoken Text task require?

The candidate listens to a 60-90 second lecture and writes a 50-70 word summary capturing the main points, integrating listening and writing.

What does the Write from Dictation task require, and which skills does it integrate?

It integrates listening and writing: the candidate hears a short sentence once and types it out exactly; it heavily influences both Listening and Writing scores.

What does the Highlight Incorrect Words listening task require, and how is it marked?

While listening to audio and reading a transcript, the candidate clicks words that differ from what is spoken; it uses partial credit with negative marking for wrongly selected words.

What does the Select Missing Word listening task require?

The candidate listens to a recording whose final word(s) are replaced by a beep and selects the option that best completes the recording.

What does the Highlight Correct Summary listening task require?

After listening to a recording, the candidate selects the paragraph that best summarises its content from several options.

How does PTE Academic manage timing during the test?

An on-screen countdown timer shows the remaining time, and many individual items have their own time limits for preparation and response; some sections are timed overall while items advance automatically.

In PTE Academic, can a candidate return to a previous question to change an answer?

No. The test moves forward only; once you proceed to the next item you cannot go back to a previous question within a part.

How does a candidate know their spoken response is being captured during PTE Academic?

An on-screen recording status bar/indicator shows when the microphone is recording; candidates must begin speaking before the recording status ends, as there is usually no second chance.

What is the Global Scale of English (GSE)?

A standardised, granular numeric scale developed by Pearson that measures English proficiency and identifies precisely what a learner can do at each level, used as the underlying scale for PTE scores.

What is the numeric range of the Global Scale of English (GSE) and PTE Academic scores?

From 10 to 90, where higher numbers indicate higher proficiency.

How does the Global Scale of English relate to the CEFR?

The GSE is aligned to the CEFR but is more granular, breaking each broad CEFR band into finer numeric points so progress can be measured in smaller increments.

Who developed the Global Scale of English?

Pearson developed the GSE as a proprietary measurement scale underpinning PTE Academic and its English learning ecosystem.

What is the range of the PTE Academic Overall score?

10 to 90, reflecting the candidate's overall English communicative competence.

How is the PTE Academic Overall score derived?

It is calculated from performance across all test items and reflects the combined communicative skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing); it is not a simple average of the four skill scores.

What are the four Communicative Skills reported in PTE Academic?

Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

What is the score range for each Communicative Skill in PTE Academic?

Each of Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing is reported on the 10-90 GSE scale.

Why can a single PTE item contribute to more than one Communicative Skill score?

Because integrated items test multiple skills at once; for example, Write from Dictation contributes to both the Listening and Writing scores, and Read Aloud contributes to both Reading and Speaking.

List the six Enabling Skills traditionally reported in PTE Academic.

Grammar, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Written Discourse.

What is the purpose of the Enabling Skills scores on a PTE report?

They provide a diagnostic breakdown of the linguistic sub-skills (such as grammar, fluency, pronunciation) underlying the communicative skills, helping candidates identify specific areas to improve.

What does 'partial credit' marking mean in PTE Academic?

For many items, candidates earn points for each correct element of a response rather than an all-or-nothing score, so a partially correct answer still scores some marks.

Which types of PTE items carry negative marking?

Multiple-choice, multiple-answer items (in Reading and Listening) and Highlight Incorrect Words, where incorrect selections subtract points.

On a negatively marked PTE item, what is the lowest possible score for that item?

Zero. Negative marking deducts points for wrong choices, but the item score cannot fall below 0, so wrong answers cannot make the overall section score negative.

What key information appears on a PTE Academic Score Report?

The Overall score (10-90), the four Communicative Skills scores, the Enabling Skills scores, candidate details, and a unique score report code used by institutions to verify results online.

How long are PTE Academic scores valid?

Two years from the test date (UKVI SELT results also follow this validity for visa purposes).

How should institutions interpret the skills profile on a PTE report?

By looking beyond the Overall score at the individual Communicative and Enabling skills to check the candidate meets any per-skill minimums and to see strengths and weaknesses across listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

List the CEFR levels from lowest to highest as mapped by PTE/GSE.

A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 (from beginner through to mastery/proficient user).

Which approximate PTE Academic score range corresponds to CEFR level B2?

Roughly a PTE score of 59-75 (B2 = independent/upper-intermediate user).

Which approximate PTE Academic score range corresponds to CEFR level B1?

Roughly a PTE score of 43-58 (B1 = intermediate independent user).

Which approximate PTE score ranges map to CEFR C1 and C2?

C1 is roughly a PTE score of 76-84 and C2 is roughly 85-90 (proficient/mastery user).

What CEFR level is typically required for direct entry to UK degree-level study, and why does it matter?

CEFR B2 is the usual minimum for undergraduate and postgraduate (degree-level) study, because it demonstrates the independent academic English needed for lectures, reading, and writing.

What is the UKVI minimum CEFR threshold for below-degree-level courses versus degree-level courses?

For courses below degree level the Home Office minimum is CEFR B1, while degree-level study at a licensed student sponsor generally requires CEFR B2.

Approximately what PTE Academic UKVI score meets the CEFR B1 minimum required for some UK visa routes?

A PTE score of about 43 (the bottom of the B1 band, 43-58) typically meets the B1 minimum, with all skills usually needing to reach that level.

What is a pre-sessional English pathway in the UK context?

A short, intensive English-for-academic-purposes course (often weeks to a few months) taken before the main degree, allowing students who narrowly miss the English requirement to reach the required level and progress to their course.

What is a Foundation pathway in the UK context, and how does it differ from a pre-sessional course?

A Foundation programme is a one-year preparatory course bridging students to undergraduate study, combining academic subject content with English support; unlike a pre-sessional course (which mainly raises English to entry level), it also prepares academic and study skills for degree entry.