2025 PTE Core Syllabus, Sections, Format & Study Plan

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core is a computer-based assessment designed to evaluate everyday English proficiency across four key skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening. Unlike PTE Academic, which focuses on academic English, PTE Core evaluates real-world language proficiency. With recent updates, the exam now includes real-life tasks such as email writing and situational responses, ensuring that test-takers are well-prepared for practical communication challenges. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the PTE Core syllabus, covering each Section's components, expectations, and assessment criteria.

PTE Core Syllabus Overview

Read Further: PTE Core Test Format

Detailed Section-wise Syllabus 

1. Speaking Section (Total Duration: 20–25 minutes)

The speaking Section of the PTE Core assessment assesses your ability to communicate with confidence in English. This Section contains tasks that test pronunciation fluency and the ability to communicate ideas effectively in different situations. You will be required to read aloud, repeat sentences, describe images, respond to everyday situations, and answer short questions. The goal is to assess your ability to articulate thoughts and maintain a natural speech flow in real-world conversations.

The speaking test has 5 sections as given below:

1. Read Aloud

• Task: Read a short text displayed on the screen.
• Expectation: Speak clearly with proper pronunciation, fluency, and natural rhythm.

2.SentenceSentence

• Task: Listen to a short sentence and repeat it exactly as heard.
• Expectation: Maintain accuracy, pronunciation, and fluency without missing words.

3. DImagebe Image

• Task: Describe an image (graph, chart, diagram, or picture) in detail.
• Expectation: Provide key information with a structured response using proper vocabulary.

4. Respond to a Situation (New in PTE Core)

• Task: Listen to a scenario and respond appropriately (e.g., answering a query, giving advice).
• Expectation: Speak naturally, staying relevant to the situation with good fluency.

5. Answer Short Questions

• Task: Listen to a question and provide a short, direct answer.
• Expectation: Quickly understand and respond with correct information.

2. Writing Section (Total Duration: 15-20 minutes)

The Writing section in PTE Core evaluates your ability to convey information in a structured and grammatically correct manner. This Section includes summarising written text and composing an email, which reflects real-world writing tasks. You will need to demonstrate clarity, coherence, appropriate tone, and correct grammar while presenting your responses concisely. Strong vocabulary, sentence structuring, and logical organization of ideas are key to excelling in this Section.

1. Summarise Written Text (25-50 words in PTE Core)

• Task: Read a passage and summarise it.
• Expectation: Clearly and concisely convey the main idea, utilizing proper grammar and sentence structure.

2. Write Email (New in PTE Core, replace "es "with "e")

• Task: Write a formal or semi-formal email based on the given instructions.
• Expectation: Use correct format, appropriate tone, and include key details.
  

3. Reading Section (Total Duration: 20-25 minutes)

The Reading section in PTE Core measures your ability to comprehend written texts and interpret information accurately. You will encounter various question types, such as filling in the blanks, multiple-choice questions, and paragraph reordering. Section tests your understanding of vocabulary, sentence structure, and the logical flow of ideas within a text. The ability to quickly extract key details and grasp the overall meaning is essential for success.

1. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

• Task: Fill missing words in a passage by selecting from a dropdown list.
• Expectation: Use grammar, context, and vocabulary knowledge to choose the right words.

2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

• Task: Read a passage and select all correct answer choices.
• Expectation: Identify key details and understand complex ideas.
  

3. Reorder Paragraphs

• Task: Arrange the given sentences in a logical sequence to form a coherent paragraph.
• Expectation: Recognize logical connections and proper paragraph structure.
  

4. Fill in the Blanks

• Task: Select the correct words to complete missing parts of a passage.
• Expectation: Understand sentence structure and vocabulary usage.
  

5. Multiple Choice, Single Answer

• Task: Choose one correct answer from multiple options based on a reading passage.
• Expectation: Identify the main idea or key details accurately.

4. Listening Section (Time Duration: 25-30 minutes)

The Listening section of PTE Core assesses how well you can understand spoken English in different accents and contexts. You will listen to various audio clips and answer questions based on what you hear. Tasks include summarising spoken text, filling in the blanks, identifying incorrect words, and responding to multiple-choice questions. Section tests your ability to recognize key information, grasp main ideas, and accurately interpret spoken language in real-world scenarios.

1. Summarise Spoken Text (20-30 words in PTE Core, previously 50-70 words)

• Task: Listen to an audio clip and write a summary.
• Expectation: Capture key points concisely with correct grammar and coherence.
  

2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

• Task: Listen to an audio and select all correct answers.
• Expectation: Identify important details and main ideas.
  

3. Fill in the Blanks

• Task: Listen to a recording and type the missing words in a transcript.
• Expectation: Spell words correctly and choose words that fit the context.
  

4. Highlight Correct Summary (Removed in PTE Core)

• Task: Previously required selecting the best summary of an audio clip.
• Expectation: No longer tested in PTE Core.
  

5. Multiple Choice, Single Answer

• Task: Listen to an audio and choose the one correct answer.
• Expectation: Identify key details or main ideas from the recording.
  

6. Select Missing Word

• Task: Listen to an audio where the last word is missing and choose the correct option.
• Expectation: Predict the most logical word based on context.
  

7. Highlight Incorrect Words

• Task: Identify words in a transcript that are different from the spoken audio.
• Expectation: Listen carefully and spot discrepancies.
  

8. Write from Dictation

• Task: Listen to a short sentence and type it exactly as heard.
• Expectation: Spell correctly and maintain sentence accuracy.
  

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PTE Core Preparation Strategies (Section-Wise)

1. Speaking

• Practice speaking aloud daily (use mirrors or apps).
• Focus on natural fluency over speed, and avoid long pauses.
• Record yourself and check pronunciation and clarity.
• Use templates for Describe Image & Re-tell Information.
• Master Repeat Sentence using chunking (grouping words).

2. Writing

• Learn templates for summarising, writing emails, composing letters, and expressing opinions.
• Focus on grammar, sentence structure, and clarity.
• Use short paragraphs (2–3 sentences each).
• Practice paraphrasing for Summarise Text.
• Always proofread, check spelling, and punctuation before submitting.

3. Reading

• Improve your reading speed with accuracy; avoid rereading too much.
• For MCQs, read the question first, then scan the passage.
• Learn linking words and transition clues for Reorder Text.
• Build academic and workplace vocabulary daily.
• Practice Fill in the Blanks using collocations and context.

4. Listening

• Listen actively to English podcasts/news with full focus.
• Practice Write from Dictation, a daily high-scoring task.
• While listening, take short notes of keywords.
• Learn to predict missing words using grammar and context.
• Don't panic if you miss a word. Move forward and stay focused.

5. Full Mock Test Strategy

• Take 2–3 full-length timed mocks to build stamina.
• Analyze every mistake and identify weak tasks.
• Repeat difficult task types until comfortable.
• Simulate test environment (quiet room + timer + no pauses).
• Track progress and adjust study plan weekly.

6. General Tips

• Target high-weight tasks (Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, Fill in the Blanks).
• Improve grammar + vocabulary daily.
• Maintain a study schedule (section-wise rotation).
• Use a timer in every practice session.
• Stay calm. PTE rewards clarity, not complexity.

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Preparation Resources

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Conclusion

The PTE Core syllabus is carefully designed to evaluate real-world English skills used in workplace communication, daily conversations, and Canadian immigration requirements. Unlike academic tests, it emphasises clarity, fluency, grammar, listening accuracy, and practical writing, making it more approachable for test takers who prefer everyday language over academic essays.

By fully understanding the PTE Core syllabus, task formats, and integrated scoring, you can plan smarter, focus on high-scoring tasks like Repeat Sentence and Write from Dictation, and boost your overall score in less time.

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