Complete Guide to the PTE Syllabus: What to Expect in 2025

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam is an online English language proficiency test designed for non-native English applicants seeking to study or work abroad. The test is designed to assess the linguistic skills of these speakers for academic, professional, or migration purposes overseas.

The information below provides a comprehensive guide to the 2025 PTE exam syllabus for applicants. We have also covered the exam format, as well as the ideal preparation strategy, to help you excel. Read on to learn all about the PTE syllabus and get started with your preparations today!

PTE Exam Syllabus: Section-Wise Details with Duration

The PTE exam primarily focuses on evaluating the candidate’s English proficiency in 3 sections:

• Part 1 - Speaking & Writing
• Part 2 - Reading
• Part 3 - Listening 

The table below highlights the PTE syllabus for 2025 for each of these sections to provide an easy understanding to the applicants and help them prepare better for the exam. The total duration provided for completing each section is also listed for your reference.

PTE Exam Section	Syllabus	Total Questions & Duration to Complete
Speaking & Writing	Personal Introduction Repeat a Sentence Re-Tell a Lecture Summarize the Written Text Read Aloud Describe an Image Answer a Short Question Essay Writing	28-36 questions to be answered in 54-67 minutes
Reading	Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks Re-order Paragraphs Multiple Choice, Single Answer  Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer Fill in the Blanks	13-18 questions to be answered in 29-30 minutes
Listening	Summarize Spoken Text Fill in the Blanks Multiple Choice, Single Answer Highlight Incorrect Words Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Highlight Correct Summary Select the Missing Word Write from Dictation	12-20 questions to be answered in 30-43 minutes

PTE Exam Syllabus - Speaking & Writing Section

This is the longest-duration section in the PTE test, evaluating candidates on two major communication skills: spoken and written. The PTE syllabus for the Speaking and Writing section is as follows:

Test Segment	Number of Questions Asked	Time Provided (approx)
Personal Introduction	1	For prompt - 25 seconds  For recording - 30 seconds Total - 55 seconds
Repeat a Sentence	10-12	For prompt 3-9 seconds  For recording - 15 seconds Total - 18 seconds
Re-tell a Lecture	1-2	For prompt length - 90 seconds  For preparation - 10 seconds For answering - 40 seconds
Summarize the Written Text	1-2	For answering a 300-word text prompt, 10 minutes
Read Aloud	6-7	For preparing to read out a 60-word text, 30-40 seconds (time varies based on the prompt length)
Describe an Image	3-4	For studying the image and preparing a response, 25 seconds For recording the answer, 40 seconds
Answer a Short Question	5-6	For prompt 3-9 seconds For answering - 10 seconds  Total - 20 seconds
Essay Writing	1-2	For answering 2-3 sentences of the text prompt, 20 minutes
	Total No. of Questions: 28-36	Total Time Allotted: 54-67 minutes

PTE Exam Syllabus - Reading Section

The reading section of the PTE test covers the following topics, shared in the table below, to help begin your preparation:

Test Segment	Number of Questions Asked	Task Provided
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers	1-2	To read a 300-word text and select more than 1 response relevant to the question
Reading: Fill in the Blanks	5-6	To read an 80-word text and drag words to fill in the blanks
Multiple Choice, Choose a Single Answer	1-2	To read a 300-word text and select 1 response relevant to the question
Re-Order Paragraphs	2-3	To read a 150-word text and arrange the given paragraphs in the correct order
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks	4-5	To read a 300-word text and drag words to fill in the blanks
	Total No. of Questions: 13-18	Total Time Allotted: 29-30 minutes

PTE Exam Syllabus - Listening Section

The listening section of the PTE exam evaluates the candidate’s ability to comprehend spoken English. The applicant must carefully hear the audio file played on the test day, the message therein must be retained well, and conveyed accurately to the examiner. The syllabus for the same is as follows:

Test Segment	Number of Questions Asked	Task Provided
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer	1-2	Listen to an audio and select more than 1 response relevant to the question - 40-90 seconds
Highlight the Correct Summary	1-2	Listen and select the summary that is best apt to the recording heard - 30-90 seconds
Select the Missing Word	1-2	Listen to the audio and select the missing word to complete the recording - 20-70 seconds
Write from Dictation	3-4	Listen and type the sentence - 3-5 seconds
Summarize Spoken Text	1-2	Skim through and proofread the given text - 60-90 seconds; write a 50-70-word summary - 10 minutes
Fill in the Blanks	2-3	Listen to a recording and fill in the blanks in the transcript - 30-60 seconds
Multiple Choice, Single Answer	1-2	Listen to the audio and select 1 response relevant to the question - 30-60 seconds
Highlight Incorrect Words	2-3	Listen to a recording and identify the words that are different in the transcript from the audio, 15-50 seconds.
	Total No. of Questions: 12-20	Time Allotted: 30-43 minutes

PTE Exam Format 2025

The PTE syllabus aligns with the exam format. It is thus essential to gain a clear understanding of the test format to better prepare from the given syllabus. The PTE exam format for 2025 is detailed below.

PTE Exam Format	Test Details
Exam pattern	Part 1: Speaking and Writing Skills (54-67 minutes) Part 2: Reading Skills (29-30 minutes) Part 3: Listening Skills (30-43 minutes)
Medium of exam	Computer-based using a headset/earphones
Type of exam	Real-life English language skills in candidates aspiring to study, work, or migrate abroad
Exam duration	2 hours; single test session
Exam mode	PTE test centres/home edition
Exam layout	20 question types

PTE Preparation Strategy

To further help you score better in the exam, we share below a couple of expert strategies to follow in your PTE preparation:

• Understand the exam pattern thoroughly before beginning your PTE preparation. Familiarize yourself well with the structure and various sections of the test.
• Practice as much as possible. It would only boost your confidence and improve your skills in each test segment.
• Work on your English proficiency. Read English literature (newspapers, books, magazines) daily, listen to English audio and movies, and speak in English (alone or with others).
• Make use of study resources, online and offline, seek regular feedback from language experts, and avail formal PTE coaching to improve your test score.

How upGrad Can Help You Prepare for PTE

Start your PTE preparation journey with upGrad, a trusted digital learning platform that serves as a complete repository of online learning resources for test-takers. This is how we can help you along your journey: 

• Download the free PDF for the PTE Syllabus to get started with your preparations.
• Find complete details on the exam dates, pattern, and format on our PTE Resources hub. 
• Explore a variety of free online courses that support your PTE test preparation.
• Use our simulated PTE practice tests to improve your test performance.