PTE Academic 2026: Free Practice Tests, Tips & Scores

What is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based English test run by Pearson. You take it at an official test centre, wearing a headset with a microphone. In Australia it's widely used for university admission, professional registration and visa applications.

The whole test takes about 2 hours 15 minutes in one sitting, and it has three parts:

Scores run from 10 to 90. You get an overall score plus a score for each skill: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Results usually arrive within a couple of days.

Practise by section

• SpeakingRead Aloud, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation and the other speaking tasks
• WritingWrite Essay and Summarize Written Text, with a word counter that knows the limits
• ReadingFill in the blanks, multiple choice and reorder paragraphs
• ListeningWrite from Dictation, Highlight Correct Summary and more

All PTE task types

Every PTE Academic task has its own page with tips, how it's scored and free practice.

Speaking

• Read AloudA text of up to 60 words appears on screen. You get 30–40 seconds to prepare, then read it aloud…
• Describe Image examplesEvery common Describe Image type, each with a model answer you can listen to. Learn the pattern, then…
• Describe ImageYou get 25 seconds to study an image and 40 seconds to describe it. A clear structure does most of the…
• Repeat SentenceHear a short sentence, then say it back exactly. It's one of the most valuable PTE speaking tasks, because it…
• Summarize Group DiscussionYou hear three people discuss a topic for up to three minutes, then summarise it out loud for two…
• Respond to a Situation examplesRespond to a Situation is one of the newest PTE tasks. Here are 7 realistic situations, each with a sample…
• Respond to a SituationThis task, added in August 2025, tests whether you can handle an everyday situation in natural, appropriate…
• Retell LectureListen to a short lecture, take notes, then retell it in your own words. A simple structure makes this task…
• Answer Short QuestionHear a simple question and answer with one or a few words. Quick, but easy marks if you know the common…

Writing

• Write EssayPick a topic, write for 20 minutes, then get an estimated score for all 7 PTE traits, with your spelling,…
• Essay topicsReal-style PTE essay prompts, each with a model answer you can learn from. Read the model, then write your…
• Summarize Written TextRead a text of up to 300 words and summarise it in a single sentence, in 10…
• Writing practice testAll four tasks that make up your PTE writing score, in one timed test: Summarize Written Text, Write Essay,…

Reading

• Fill in the blanksChoose the best word for each gap. Each correct blank earns a…
• Multiple choiceIn 'choose more than one' questions, every wrong choice takes a point away. Practise choosing…
• Reorder paragraphsPut the sentences in a logical order. You earn a point for every pair in the right…

Listening

• Summarize Spoken TextListen to a short lecture (60–90 seconds), then write a 50–70 word summary in 10 minutes. It counts towards…
• Write from DictationListen to a short sentence and type it exactly. You get a point for each correct…
• Highlight Correct SummaryListen to a short talk, then choose the summary or answer that matches it…
• Fill in the BlanksType the missing words while you listen to the recording. Good spelling and fast typing make a big…
• Multiple ChoiceListen to a recording and choose the right answer or answers. Be careful: multiple answers has negative…
• Select Missing WordThe recording stops before the last word or words. Choose the option that best completes…
• Highlight Incorrect WordsFollow the transcript while you listen, and click the words that are different from what the speaker…

Full mock tests

• UnlimitedNew random mock testA different full test every timeGenerate
• DailyDaily practice10 new questions every dayStart
• Full testMock test 1All 22 task types, official orderStart
• Full testMock test 2New questions on every taskStart
• Full testMock test 3Includes the 2025 speaking tasksStart

Short on time? Try the quick 15-minute practice test.

How PTE is marked

Read the full guide: how PTE is scored, and our PTE exam tips.

PTE is marked mostly by computer, with human experts reviewing some speaking and writing answers before scores are confirmed. A few things surprise new test takers:

• Many tasks count towards more than one skill. Write from Dictation, for example, affects both your listening and writing scores.
• Some tasks take marks away for wrong answers. In "choose more than one answer" questions and Highlight Incorrect Words, each wrong choice costs a point, so don't guess wildly.
• Length rules are strict. An essay under 120 or over 380 words scores zero. Check yours with our PTE word counter.
• Spelling must be consistent. Australian, British, American and Canadian spelling are all accepted, but mix them and you lose marks. Our spelling consistency checker catches this.
• Fluency matters as much as accuracy in speaking. Long pauses, restarts and repeated words lower your score, even if every word is correct.

What changed in August 2025?

Pearson updated PTE Academic on 7 August 2025. Two new speaking tasks were added, Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation, and the test became about 15 minutes longer. Australia's Department of Home Affairs also introduced new PTE score tables for tests taken from that date. If you're comparing scores or using old study materials, read our guide to PTE score requirements for Australia and make sure your practice covers the current test format.

Where to book

Book only through Pearson's official website, pearsonpte.com, where you'll find test centres and prices. We're an independent site and don't sell tests.