PTE
PTE acronym for Pearson Test of English is an internationally recognised computer-based test which is used to gauge proficiency in English language.
English speaking countries use PTE to assess English speaking skills of non-native English speakers who desire to work overseas. PTE revolves around the four main skills of English — Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Applicants have to excel in all the language skills to demonstrate their English proficiency.
PTE is conducted on a computer system in one session which lasts for 3.5 hours. The result of the test is declared within three to four days. Applicants have to visit a recognised PTE centre to appear for the test.
Format Of PTE
The PTE Academic Test intends to check all the language skills which include listening, reading, speaking and writing. Different questions formats such as multiple choice, information interpretation and essay writing are included in the PTE test. PTE assess the everyday academic English. Applicants are exposed to a range of accents such as American, British and non-native speaker that they will encounter in daily life. The test format is as follows:
Speaking and Writing (Duration 77 – 93 Minutes)
Applicants are judged on the basis of their speaking and writing skills (together). The ability to present spoken English in academic settings is assessed in the speaking part. For writing part, applicants are expected to write error free academic English with accurate spelling and sentence structuring.
Personal Introduction, reading aloud, sentence repetition, image description, summarizing, short answer question, essay writing is conducted to evaluate the proficiency.
Reading (Duration 32 – 41 Minutes)
Applicants are tested on the basis of their reading skills. It includes 15 to 20 skill items which are assessed consecutively. Diverse response formats are structures to test the competency of the applicant. The formats include fill in the blanks, paragraph reordering and multiple choice questions to test the ability of the applicants. This part also focuses on assessing writing skills since PTE is an integrated skill test.
Listening (Duration – 45 to 57 Minutes)
The listening skills are assessed on the basis of audio or video clips. Applicants have to hear the clips carefully and take notes of the facts they find relevant. After hearing the clips, applicants are asked to summarise the spoken text. You can listen to the clip only once and then have to write the summary presenting the main ideas and supporting points.