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Beginner's guide

What is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic is a computer-based English test made by Pearson. Universities and governments around the world use it to check whether you can study or live in an English-speaking country. The whole test is marked by computer, and you usually get your result within about two days.

100% computer-based

You take it at a test centre on a computer with a headset. There's no human examiner — answers are scored by AI, so results are fast and consistent.

For study & migration

Accepted by thousands of universities and for visas in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and more.

About 2 hours, one sitting

One session covers Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. Results typically arrive within 48 hours.

How the test is structured

PTE Academic has four skills across 20 question ("task") types. MasterMock lets you practise every one of them.

Speaking

You speak into a microphone
  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat Sentence
  • Describe Image
  • Re-tell Lecture
  • Answer Short Question
  • Respond to a Situation
  • Summarize Group Discussion

Writing

You type your answer
  • Summarize Written Text
  • Write Essay

Reading

On-screen passages & choices
  • Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown & Drag-and-drop)
  • Multiple Choice (single & multiple)
  • Re-order Paragraphs

Listening

You listen to audio, then answer
  • Summarize Spoken Text
  • Multiple Choice (single & multiple)
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Highlight Correct Summary
  • Select Missing Word
  • Highlight Incorrect Words
  • Write From Dictation

How scoring works

PTE scores you from 10 to 90. You get an overall score plus separate scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Higher is better.

1030507090

What score do you need? (Australian skilled migration)

Updated 7 Aug 2025 — the new PTE Academic needs a different score in each section

Your English level is set by your lowest section score. Here's the minimum each level needs in each section on the current test (taken on or after 7 August 2025):

English levelListeningReadingSpeakingWritingPoints
Superiorhighest band6970888520
Proficient5859766910
Competentbaseline pass474854510
Vocational33362429

Functional English is a single overall band of 24 (no section breakdown). Notice that Speaking and Writing now need the highest scores — for Superior, Speaking 88 and Writing 85 — so that's where most points are won or lost.

Important: these are the Australian skilled-migration English levels (source: Department of Home Affairs & Pearson, effective 7 August 2025). Results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 use the previous scores (a flat 79 in each section for Superior) and remain valid until 6 August 2028. Requirements also vary by visa subclass and university and can change — always check the official requirement for your situation before you book.

How MasterMock helps you get there

Practise every task type, sit full-length mock tests in the real exam layout, and get instant marks on reading & listening. Speaking and writing are graded by AI that explains why — and, on the All-in-One plan, remembers your weak spots and coaches you like a personal tutor.

Ready to see where you stand?

Take a free, full-length mock test in the real PTE layout — no card needed.

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