PTE Core Test Format

Planning for Canada PR or an Australian work visa? The PTE Core exam is essential! This guide covers the test format, section breakdowns, and bonus tips to help you prepare and succeed.

How to Budget for Study Abroad Reading PTE Core Test Format 10 minutes Next PTE Core Preparation

What is PTE core format?

PTE Core is an English proficiency test that evaluates the candidate's ability to communicate and use English in real-world contexts. This test is a prerequisite to get Canada PR and eligibility to work in some countries like Australia. PTE test format is simple and ensures fairness and thoroughness in assessing various language abilities. The test is divided into 3 sections as below:

• Speaking & Writing
• Reading
• Listening

Here is the format of PTE core exam with the time allotted for each section.

PTE core exam format

Section	Tasks	Time Allocation
Speaking & Writing	- Personal Introduction (unscored) - Read Aloud - Repeat Sentence - Describe Image - Respond to a Situation - Answer Short Question - Summarize Written Text - Write Email	54-67 minutes
Reading	- Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks - Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers - Reorder Paragraphs - Fill in the Blanks - Multiple Choice, Single Answer	29-30 minutes
Listening	- Summarize Spoken Text - Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers - Fill in the Blanks - Multiple Choice, Single Answer - Select Missing Word - Highlight Incorrect Words - Write from Dictation	30-43 minutes

PTE core template : A breakdown of each section

PTE Core Speaking

The PTE Core speaking section assesses your ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. The section is divided into 5 subsections which assess different aspects of speaking:

PTE Core Speaking Format:
The PTE core speaking section includes Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, and Respond to a situation and answer short questions. These items evaluate your fluency, pronunciation, and ability to summarize spoken content. The PTE core speaking test is the first section you face in the exam. The test also includes a Personal Introduction section, where candidates briefly introduce themselves. This section is not scored but is sent to institutions as part of the application.

PTE Core Speaking Modules:

Task	Primary Skills Assessed	Subskills Assessed	Time Per Task	Description
Read Aloud	Reading and Speaking	Pronunciation, Fluency	30-40 seconds per text	Candidates read a written text aloud. This task evaluates the ability to read a text accurately and convey it with proper pronunciation and fluency.
Repeat Sentence	Listening and Speaking	Memory, Fluency	3-9 seconds per item	Candidates listen to a sentence and repeat it exactly. This assesses listening comprehension, memory, and the ability to reproduce spoken English accurately.
Describe Image	Speaking	Content, Pronunciation, Fluency	40 seconds per image	Candidates describe an image (e.g., graph, chart, or picture) presented on the screen. This task measures the ability to interpret visual information and express it coherently.
Respond to a Situation	Speaking	Content, Pronunciation, Fluency	30-50 seconds per response	Candidates provide an appropriate spoken response to a given real-life scenario or prompt. This evaluates spontaneous speaking ability and relevance of the response.
Answer Short Question	Listening and Speaking	Vocabulary, Accuracy	3-5 seconds per question	Candidates listen to a question and provide a brief and accurate spoken response. This task assesses listening comprehension and the ability to respond concisely.

PTE Core Speaking Template

PTE core speaking templates are very popular for Describe image and respond to a situation. There are many pre designed templates and samples available. You can either choose one or design a convenient template for yourself.

Save money and enjoy hassle-free PTE Core exam booking with EduVouchers. We offer free assistance and exclusive discounts on your exam fee.

PTE Core Writing

The PTE Core writing section tests your ability to express ideas coherently and correctly in written English. The section consists of the following components:

PTE Core Writing Format

Understanding the writing format is essential to succeeding in this section. You must follow proper sentence structures, grammar, and punctuation. The PTE core writing test includes 2 sub divisions namely summarize written text and an email where you must demonstrate your ability to express complex ideas in a clear and coherent manner. In order to succeed in this section, practice with PTE Core writing samples. This helps you understand how to structure your writing efficiently. Focus on organizing your ideas logically, writing clearly, and avoiding grammatical mistakes.

PTE Core Writing Questions

Task	Primary Skills Assessed	Subskills Assessed	Time Per Task	Description
Summarize Written Text	Writing and Reading	Content, Grammar, Vocabulary	10 minutes per summary	Candidates read a passage and summarize it in one sentence. This task evaluates the ability to identify key points and express them concisely in correct grammar.
Write an Email	Writing	Structure, Tone, Grammar, Vocabulary	10 minutes per email	Candidates compose an email based on the given prompt. This task assesses the ability to communicate effectively in a formal tone while adhering to the word limit (50-75 words).

PTE Core Summarize Written Text

In this task, you will be given a short paragraph or article, and you need to write a summary of the main ideas in just one sentence.

PTE Core Email Writing Word Limit

This task requires you to write an email response to a given situation. You need to manage the word limit (usually around 150-200 words) while maintaining clarity and relevance. Many PTE core writing templates are available for both formal and informal emails in PTE. You can also design an appropriate writing template of your choice.

PTE Core Reading

PTE Core reading section tests your ability to comprehend written texts and draw meaning from them. It is divided into multiple question types, each testing different aspects of reading comprehension. Some of the most important question types include:

PTE Core Reading Format

Question Type	Skills Assessed	Description
Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer	Reading	Candidates read a passage and select the correct answer from multiple options. Tests understanding of main ideas.
Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answers	Reading	Candidates choose all correct answers from the options based on the passage. Tests ability to identify multiple key points.
Reorder Paragraphs	Reading	Candidates arrange randomly ordered sentences into a coherent paragraph. Tests logical sequencing and comprehension.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks	Reading	Candidates drag and drop words into blanks within a passage to complete it accurately. Tests grammar and vocabulary knowledge.
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks	Reading and Writing	Candidates select the most appropriate words to fill blanks in a passage. Tests grammar, vocabulary, and contextual understanding.

PTE Core Reading Fill in the Blanks

This question type requires you to read a text with missing words. You need to select the correct word or phrase from a list of options to complete the sentence meaningfully.

Multiple-choice questions

These are designed to test your ability to understand the main idea, details, and inferences in the text.

Re-order Paragraphs

This item tests your ability to organize sentences logically and coherently.

Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks

This combines reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge to assess your language fluency.

PTE Core Listening

The PTE Core listening section tests your ability to comprehend spoken English in different contexts, including conversations, discussions, and lectures.

Here are the question types in the PTE Core listening format:

Question Type	Skills Assessed	Description
Summarize Spoken Text	Listening and Writing	Candidates listen to a recording and summarize it in 50-70 words. This task evaluates the ability to extract key points and convey them concisely.
Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answers	Listening	Candidates listen to a recording and select all correct answers. This tests the ability to identify multiple key points from the audio.
Fill in the Blanks	Listening and Writing	Candidates fill in blanks in a transcript while listening to a recording. This tests attention to detail, memory, and language skills.
Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer	Listening	Candidates listen to a recording and select one correct answer. This tests understanding of key details in the audio.
Select Missing Word	Listening	Candidates listen to a sentence and select the missing word. This tests the ability to infer meaning from context.
Highlight Incorrect Words	Listening and Reading	Candidates listen to a recording and identify incorrect words in a transcript. This tests attention to detail and listening precision.
Write from Dictation	Listening and Writing	Candidates listen to a sentence and write it down exactly as heard. This tests memory, accuracy, and spelling.

PTE Core Listening Fill in the Blanks

In this section, candidates hear an audio clip and must complete missing words in a transcript based on what they hear.

Multiple-choice questions

These questions test your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details in the audio.

Summarize Spoken Text

This item requires you to listen to a spoken text and provide a summary of the main points.

Select Missing Word

You’ll hear an audio clip with a word missing, and you need to identify the correct word that completes the passage.

Tips for Preparing for the PTE Core Exam

• Practice with PTE Core Templates: Familiarizing yourself with PTE Core templates for tasks like Summarize Written Text or Email Writing can help you craft more effective responses.

• Focus on Vocabulary: Both the reading and writing sections demand a strong vocabulary. Work on expanding your vocabulary and understanding word usage in different contexts.

• Improve Listening Skills: Listen to podcasts, news broadcasts, or lectures frequently in order to improve your listening skills and get used to different accents.

• Mock Tests: Take practice tests for PTE Core to familiarize yourself with the timing and format of the exam.

You can save Flat 5% on the PTE core exam fee with EduVouchers exclusive PTE Core Coupon Code. Don't miss out on the big savings!

Conclusion

The PTE Core exam structure is aimed at testing a candidate's ability in English in a range of everyday situations. Knowing the test structure and practicing through the correct strategies can help you boost your prospects for success. Be it getting adept at the PTE Core reading exercises or developing your PTE Core writing skills, regular practice and proper PTE core test preparation are essential to get your target PTE core score.

FAQs - PTE Core Format

Q. What is the format for PTE core?

A. The PTE Core exam consists of four main sections :Speaking, Writing, Reading & Listening. Each section consists of different tests such as read aloud, email writing, multiple choice questions etc. Which tests different language skills, including speaking, writing, comprehension, and listening abilities.

Q. What are the parts of PTE core speaking?

A. Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, and Respond to a situation and answer short questions.

Q. What is a repeat sentence in PTE core?

A. This exercise evaluates listening comprehension, memory, and accurate pronunciation by having candidates listen to and precisely repeat a given sentence.

Must Read: PTE Core Syllabus 2025

PTE Core Preparation

Preparing for the PTE Core exam? This guide covers essential strategies, section-wise tips, and expert insights to help you achieve your target score on the first attempt. From speaking and writing...

Read Blog

How to Budget for Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a transformative experience, but managing finances is key. This guide covers budgeting essentials, from tuition to daily expenses, plus money-saving tips to help you thrive finan...

Read Blog