PTE Exam Syllabus 2026
The PTE Exam Syllabus 2026 mentions the structure, skills assessed and question types asked in the PTE test. So you must understand the PTE syllabus and exam pattern for your effective preparation and secure a high score in it. This test is conducted to evaluate your real-life English communication skills.
According to the latest updates, PTE has used the AI scoring and computer-based format to assess the pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and academic writing within the 2-hour exam. You must understand the complete PTE academic syllabus to identify the task type asked in it, scoring system and the skills assessed in each section. Familiar with the syllabus helps you to prepare strategically, and boost your overall score with confidence.
What are the Latest Updates in the PTE Exam Syllabus & Pattern (2026)
Here are the latest updates regarding the PTE exam syllabus you should know
- No major syllabus changes
The PTE academic syllabus remains the same. There are no major structural changes in syllabus.
- Refined exam pattern
Section structure and question flow in the syllabus are optimized for better time management. The new updates add two new speaking tasks and adjusting question counts to 52-64 questions for better time management.
- Integrated skills-based assessment
According to the latest updates on pte course syllabus, the Speaking & writing, reading, and listening sections of the PTE exam are evaluated together to analyze your skills.
- Shorter test duration
The exam duration will be reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- AI-based scoring system
As per the latest updates, the PTE exam now follows the automated and unbiased AI-based scoring system, aligned to the syllabus.
- Global syllabus consistency
The same PTE Exam Syllabus and patterns are applied worldwide, and this test continues to become trusted by institutes globally.
What Is the PTE Exam Registration, and Who Should Apply?
The PTE exam registration involves booking the computer-based English proficiency test online by the Pearson website, creating myPTE account, selecting the center, date and paying fees. Those who want to study, work or migrate to English-speaking countries like the UK, USA, Australia, Canada require English skills proof by appearing in the PTE exam. So you should complete your PTE exam registration online. Here who can apply
- Students: The students who are seeking for university admissions in English-speaking countries can complete the PTE exam registration
- Skilled workers. The skilled workers who are seeking professional registration and job applications must complete exam registration.
- Immigration candidates: For the visas or PR purpose, especially in New Zealand, Canada, UK, and Australia, candidates should complete the PTE test registration
What Is the PTE Academic Syllabus and Who Needs It?
The PTE Academic Syllabus is the framework that outlines the task types, skills and language abilities assessed in the Pearson test. It explains what candidates need to prepare by covering the speaking & writing, reading, and listening sections through real-life academic tasks. Rather than testing your skills in isolation, the PTE syllabus focuses on your real-life English using skills.
The syllabus is ideal for
- Students planning to study abroad at global universities
- Candidates who apply for work visas or PR purposes
- Candidates who prefer the fully computer-based English test
- Test takers who are looking for fast results and flexible exam dates
What is the PTE Exam Pattern and Syllabus?
Here is the syllabus of the PTE speaking and writing section
Question Types | Number of Questions | Time to Answer (Approx.) |
Personal Introduction | 1 | Total: 55 seconds25 seconds for prompt 30 seconds to record |
Read Aloud | 6–7 | Prompt length: ~60 words 30–40 seconds to prepare Time based on prompt length |
Repeat Sentence | 10–12 | 15 seconds 3–9 seconds for prompt 15 seconds to record |
Describe Image | 3–4 | 25 seconds to prepare 40 seconds to answer |
Retell Lecture | 1–2 | 90 seconds for prompt length 10 seconds to prepare 40 seconds to answer |
Answer Short Questions | 5–6 | Total: 20 seconds 3–9 seconds for prompt 10 seconds to answer |
Summarize Group Discussion | 2–3 | 10 seconds to prepare 2 minutes to speak |
Respond to a Situation | 1–2 | 20 seconds to prepare 40 seconds to respond |
Summarize Written Text | 1–2 | 10 minutes to summarize a 300-word text |
Essay Writing | 1–2 | 20 minutes to write on a 2–3 sentence prompt |
Total Questions: 28–36 | Time Allowed: 54–67 minutes |
What Is the PTE Academic Syllabus for the Reading Section?
Here is the complete syllabus of the PTE reading section given below, consisting of types of questions, number of questions and time to answer it.
Question Types | Number of Questions | Time to Answer (Approx.) |
Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 1–2 | Read a 300-word text and choose the correct option |
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 1–2 | Read a 300-word text and choose more than one correct option |
Re-order Paragraphs | 2–3 | Read ~150 words and arrange paragraphs in the correct order |
Reading Fill in the Blanks | 5–6 | Read an 80-word text and drag words to fill the gaps |
Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks | 4–5 | Read a 300-word text and drag words to fill the gaps |
Total Questions: 13–18 | Time Allowed: 29–30 minutes |
What Is the PTE Exam Syllabus for the Listening Section?
The given table shows the PTE listening syllabus, covers question types, number of questions and time to answer allot to candidates.
Question Types | Number of Questions | Time to Answer (Approx.) |
Summarize Spoken Text | 1–2 | 60–90 seconds to skim and proofread 10 minutes to write a 50–70 word summary |
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 1–2 | 40–90 seconds to listen and choose multiple correct options |
Fill in the Blanks | 2–3 | 30–60 seconds to listen and complete the transcript |
Highlight Correct Summary | 1–2 | 30–90 seconds to listen and select the best summary |
Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 1–2 | 30–60 seconds to listen and select one correct option |
Select Missing Word | 1–2 | 20–70 seconds to listen and select the missing word |
Highlight Incorrect Words | 2–3 | 15–50 seconds to identify words that differ from the audio |
Write From Dictation | 3–4 | 3–5 seconds to listen and type the sentence |
Total Questions: 12–20 | Time Allowed: 30–43 minutes |
How Does the PTE Exam Scoring System Work?
The PTE exam uses the detailed scoring system on the basis of AI algorithms. Scores range from 10 to 90, and assess the candidates’ language abilities across communication skills in speaking, writing, reading, listening and enabling skills in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, oral fluency, spelling, etc.
This scoring approach gives you fairness and transparency. The test taker receives the scores that reflect the actual proficiency levels in academic English. No negative marking is applicable to the PTE exam, so incorrect answers do not reduce your score, and encourage confident attempts.
How Is the PTE Exam Pattern and Syllabus Different from the IELTS Syllabus?
PTE and IELTS both evaluate your English skills, but both are different. But PTE is a computer-based test with integrated sections that include Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening. Scores in the PTE exam are evaluated on the basis of an AI system. The IELTS exam offers you the computer/paper options with separate sections and human-evaluated speaking. Let us look at the IELTS Vs pte course syllabus table below.
Feature | PTE Academic | IELTS |
Test Format | Computer-based only | Paper/Computer |
Scoring | AI + Human scoring | Human examiners |
Skills Tested | Integrated (tasks affect multiple sections) | Separate sections |
Speaking | Recorded on a computer | Face-to-face with the examiner |
Writing | Summaries + Essays | Essays/Reports |
Reading | Fill in the Blanks, Re-order | MCQ, Matching, Headings |
Listening | Write from Dictation, FIB | Note completion |
Duration | 2 hours | 2 hr 45 min |
Difficulty | Moderate (fast-paced) | Moderate–High |
Results Time | Within 24–48 hours | Within 3–13 days |
Integrated Scoring | Yes | No |
PTE Exam Syllabus 2026 vs Previous Syllabus: What Has Changed?
The main change in the PTE Exam Syllabus 2026 is the addition of two new speaking/writing tasks, “Summarize Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation”. It introduces human scoring with AI for some sections and ensures accuracy and fairness. Here are the key differences between the PTE new and old syllabus
Feature | Previous Syllabus | 2026 Updated Syllabus |
New Tasks | 20 task types | Adds 2 new tasks: “Summarize Group Discussion” & “Respond to a Situation” in Speaking & Writing. |
Scoring | AI-scored. | AI + Human Scoring |
Total Questions | Slightly higher (70-82) | Reduced to 52-64 total questions, and format remains similar |
Focus | Academic English | Focus on real-life, practical English skills. |
Structure | Same 3 sections (Speaking & Writing, Reading, Listening). | Same 3 sections, but within Part 1 (Speaking & Writing), the new tasks are added. |
How to Prepare Using the PTE Course Syllabus?
You can prepare for the pte exam pattern and syllabus to focus on exactly what the exam tests, save time and improve accuracy. Candidates should follow the syllabus-based approach to ensure balanced preparation across all skills, a better understanding of task types formats and build high confidence for exam day. Here are the tips you should follow to prepare
- Follow section wise syllabus
Follow the PTE section-wise syllabus to cover speaking, reading, writing and listening without missing any task.
- Practice mock tests
You should practice mock tests that are aligned with the latest PTE exam pattern and syllabus, and build exam confidence and familiarity.
- Focus on integrated tasks
You should focus on integrated tasks to avail multiple skills and increase your PTE scores.
- Improve time management skills
Practice each section of PTE to improve the time management skills and set within time limits.
- Analyze the mock tests’ performance
You should identify the weak areas, analyze the mock test preparation and adjust to preparation strategy.
- Strengthens your vocabulary
You should strengthen your grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation together rather than studying skills in isolation.
- Use AI-scored practice platforms
Use the AI scoring practice platforms to understand how responses are determined under the PTE scoring system.
Common Mistakes While Following the PTE Exam Syllabus
Many candidates prepare for the PTE exam but make some common mistakes. You should avoid these mistakes to align your preparation correctly with the syllabus and increase the overall score.
- Ignore integrated skill-based tasks
Candidates can ignore the integrated skill-based tasks and prepare for the speaking, writing, reading, and listening sections separately. It reduces their performance in high-scoring questions that evaluate skills together.
- Studying without preparation
Study without the preparation topics as per the official PTE exam syllabus leads to wasted effort and results in low scoring weightage.
- Ignore scoring
Don’t ignore the scoring importance of tasks like Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, and Write from Dictation that affect your multiple skill scores.
- Use old study material
Don’t practice the outdated question formats or old material study material, otherwise it does not match the latest exam pattern and syllabus structure.
- Focus on accuracy
Focus on accuracy and neglecting fluency, grammar, pronunciation, and time management, is another mistake that candidates make.
Start PTE Preparation with Updated Exam Syllabus
Mastering the PTE test syllabus is not only about knowing questions, but also understanding the AI logic behind the PTE exam pattern. By focusing on the high-weightage tasks like “Write From Dictation” and maintaining natural fluency in the speaking section, you can increase your target score around 79.
Contact with the expert counselors to get support to navigate every step of the international education journey, from test prep to visa filing. So, are you ready to start your PTE preparation? Connect with the experts and get a personalized study plan and syllabus to prepare effectively.
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Have a question?
The latest PTE academic syllabus consists of two new tasks in the speaking & writing section. It includes the Summarise the group discussion and Respond to a situation.
Yes, the PTE Academic syllabus is different from the general English syllabus because it is specially designed for university study and focuses on the academic language (lectures, essays, complex texts). The general English syllabus focuses on real-life and everyday communication on emails, conversations, workplace scenarios.
Yes, the PTE exam pattern and syllabus changed in 2026. The PTE exam pattern and syllabus saw significant updates, with changes in two new tasks: “Summarize Group Discussion,” “Respond to a Situation”, reduce question count to 52-64, and incorporate human scoring with AI.
Yes, the PTE course syllabus is the same worldwide. You should understand that multiple versions of the PTE exam exist, but each with a different purpose and syllabus.
Completing the PTE syllabus for preparation takes from 10 days to some weeks or months, on the basis of starting English levels and target score. But a focused preparation plan takes 2-4 weeks, and the actual PTE exam takes around 2 hours.
You can get the official PTE syllabus and sample questions by using the official Pearson website. You can find sample question papers with answers on this site.
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