PTE Exam 2025: Fees, Dates, Registration, Eligibility & Syllabus

The full form of PTE is Pearson Test of English. It is a computer-based English language proficiency test that follows the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and reports scores on a scale of 10 to 90. 

Here’s a complete overview of the PTE exam, including its types, duration, eligibility, scoring, and key details every student should know before registering:

Globally, PTE offers three main types of exams, each designed for different purposes and target groups:

PTE Academic Exam

The PTE Academic Exam evaluates English language skills in an academic context:

• It measures a candidate’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in situations they would encounter at a university or higher education setting. 
• This exam is widely accepted by universities and colleges across countries like the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and others for admissions and student visa requirements. 
• It is the most popular choice among international students planning to study abroad.

PTE General Exam

The PTE General Exam assesses English language proficiency in everyday and professional contexts rather than academic ones: 

• It is useful for candidates who need to demonstrate English competency for work, communication, or migration purposes. 
• This exam focuses on the practical use of English in real-life scenarios, including reading comprehension, listening, and speaking skills.

PTE Young Learner Exam

The PTE Young Learner Exam is designed specifically for children aged 7 to 12 years:

• It helps evaluate English language skills in a fun and age-appropriate way, ensuring young learners are developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills effectively. 
• Schools and parents often use this exam to track children’s progress and readiness for higher levels of English education.

Which PTE Exam Should International Students Take?

The PTE Academic Exam is a great choice for international students who want to study abroad. This test is done on a computer and focuses on academic English skills. Many universities around the world, including top ones in the UK, Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, accept it.

The exam is also needed for student visas in countries like Australia. It tests speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills in an academic setting. Because it is computer-based, all students have the same testing experience.

Candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria, like age or skills, for the  PTE Academic Exam. Below, we break down the requirements for each PTE exam: 

Age Limit and Parental Consent

For Academic PTE, candidates must be at least 16 years old, with parental consent required for minors aged 16-18. There is no maximum age, making the exam suitable for learners of all ages. Parental consent forms can be downloaded from the official PTE Academic website.

Educational Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have completed high school or an equivalent level of education. Familiarity with academic English phrases, sentence structures, and vocabulary improves performance in the Academic exam. Applicants should have a reasonable grasp of academic English to perform effectively in reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks.

Nationality and Identification

Candidates of all nationalities can take the PTE exam. Test-takers must present a valid government-issued ID, such as a passport, on the exam day. International students or non-native English speakers primarily use the exam for study abroad, visa, or professional purposes.

Computer and Test Centre Requirements

All PTE exams are computer-based. Candidates should be comfortable using a computer, keyboard, and headphones for the listening and speaking sections. Test centres provide equipment, but familiarity with basic computer operations helps reduce technical issues and ensures a smooth test experience.

English Language Preparedness

Candidates should have a working knowledge of English, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Preparatory courses or practice tests can help meet the required proficiency level, especially for the Academic exam.

As of 2025, the standard registration fee for the PTE Academic exam in India is INR 18,000, inclusive of 18% GST. This fee applies uniformly across all test centers in India, including cities like Pune, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai. The fee covers the cost of the exam, score reports, and free score sends to institutions:

Payment Methods

Candidates can pay the exam fee online using:

• Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
• Debit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, and other major providers).
• Net Banking (select Indian banks).

The PTE Academic exam is a computer-based English proficiency test designed to assess your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in an academic context. The test is structured to evaluate your ability to understand and use English in university-level settings.

Here is an overview of the PTE Academic test format, including duration, number of questions, and many other important information:

The PTE Academic exam evaluates your proficiency in English through a structured assessment of speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Understanding the syllabus helps you prepare effectively by focusing on the specific skills and question types assessed in each section.

Here is an overview of the PTE Academic test syllabus:

Speaking & Writing (77 to 93 minutes)

The Speaking & Writing section tests your ability to communicate effectively in academic English, assessing both spoken and written skills through a variety of tasks.

• Personal Introduction: A brief introduction where you introduce yourself.
• Read Aloud: Read a written text aloud.
• Repeat Sentence: Repeat a sentence you hear.
• Describe Image: Describe an image presented on the screen.
• Re-tell the Lecture: Listen to a lecture and then make a gist of it.
• Answer Short Question: Answer a question with a brief response.
• Summarise Written Text: Write a summary of a given text.
• Essay: Write an essay on a given topic.

Reading (32-41 minutes)

The Reading section evaluates your ability to understand and interpret written English, testing comprehension, vocabulary, and logical sequencing skills:

• Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer: Select one correct answer from multiple options. 
• Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answers: Select multiple correct answers from multiple options. 
• Re-order Paragraphs: Arrange paragraphs in the correct order. 
• Reading: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in missing words in a passage. 
• Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks: Fill in missing words in a passage.

Listening (45-47 minutes)

The Listening section assesses your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings, focusing on comprehension, attention to detail, and accurate transcription:

• Summarise Spoken Text: Write a summary of a spoken text.
• Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer: Select one correct answer from multiple options.
• Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answers: Select multiple correct answers from multiple options.
• Fill in the Blanks: Fill in missing words in a transcript.
• Highlight Correct Summary: Select the summary that best matches the audio.
• Select Missing Word: Identify the missing word in a transcript.
• Highlight Incorrect Words: Identify words that were spoken incorrectly.
• Write from Dictation: Write down a sentence you hear.

PTE Academic scores are calculated based on your performance in each section, reflecting your English proficiency accurately. The scoring system combines both fully correct answers and partially correct responses to ensure a fair evaluation. Here is an overview of how scores are assigned.

Correct/Incorrect (C/I)

Each question is evaluated for a fully correct or incorrect response. A completely correct answer receives full credit, while an incorrect or irrelevant response receives zero points. This system ensures clarity and consistency in scoring.

• Correct Answer: Earns full points (typically 1 point).
• Incorrect Answer: Receives zero points.

Partial Credit (PC)

Some question types allow partial credit when your answer is partially correct. For example, if a sentence is mostly accurate but contains minor errors, you can earn partial points. This approach rewards candidates for demonstrating partial understanding and skills.

• Criteria: Points are awarded based on the number of correct components in your answer.
• Scoring: Each correct component contributes a fraction of the total points.

PTE results are released within 48 hours of completing the exam, giving test-takers quick feedback on their language proficiency. Here is a table showcasing an overview of the PTE Academic scores, their corresponding CEFR levels, and what each score indicates about your English skills:

Types of Scores on the PTE Score Card

The PTE scorecard is mainly of three types. Here is how you can analyse your PTE scores:

• Overall Score: This is a weighted average of your performance across the four communicative skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Universities and visa authorities often focus on this score to assess overall English proficiency.
• Communicative Skills Score: Individual scores for each skill help you understand your strengths and weaknesses:

These scores evaluate specific language abilities such as grammar, oral fluency, spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary. They help you pinpoint areas for improvement, even if your overall score is high.

Note: There is no official passing score for PTE. Top universities generally expect a score of 78+, which indicates ‘Very High’ proficiency and readiness for academic environments.

Here is a table showcasing an overview of approximate equivalencies between PTE Academic and IELTS scores, helping students and institutions gauge performance across both tests: 

Registering for the PTE exam is a straightforward process that can be completed online. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the registration:

Step 1: Create a Pearson Account

Visit the official Pearson PTE website and create a new account. Ensure that the name you provide matches exactly with your identification document to avoid any discrepancies.

Step 2: Select Your Test Type

Choose the appropriate PTE test that aligns with your goals, such as PTE Academic, PTE Academic Online, or PTE Home.

Step 3: Choose Your Test Location and Date

Select your preferred test center and available test dates. Availability may vary based on location, so it's advisable to book in advance.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile

Fill in your personal details as per your identification document. This information is crucial for your test registration.

Step 5: Upload Identification Document

Provide a valid, government-issued identification document, such as a passport or national ID. The name and date of birth must match your registration details.

Step 6: Make Payment

Pay the exam fee using a valid credit or debit card. The fee amount may vary depending on your location and the test type selected.

Step 7: Confirm Your Booking

Review all the details, including test center, date, and personal information. Confirm your booking and note down the appointment details.

Step 8: Receive Confirmation

After successful registration, you will receive a confirmation email with your test details and instructions for the test day.

Once you register and log in to the PTE website, you can check the available PTE exam dates. A test-taker can book a PTE exam up to 24 hours in advance. It is very convenient in that sense. Also, international students are now more interested in taking the PTE exam because of its AI-driven testing technology, which is free from human unfairness.

Only a limited number of seats are available now in each test session at any test centre. So, try to book your seat as early as possible.

PTE Exam Centres & Dates in India for 2025

At present, PTE exam centres are open in 23 Indian cities, including all the Indian metros. Some of the following PTE exam centres, along with PTE exam dates 2025, are:

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic evaluates your English proficiency across speaking, writing, reading, and listening. To excel, it's essential to focus on specific strategies tailored to each section. Below are evidence-based tips to enhance your preparation.

Speaking: Emphasise Key Words in 'Read Aloud'

In the 'Read Aloud' task, focus on stressing content words like nouns, main verbs, and adjectives. This approach improves your fluency and helps convey the intended meaning more effectively. For instance, emphasising words like 'development' or 'advancements' can make your response more impactful. 

Writing: Utilise Complex Sentences

In the 'Write Essay' section, aim to use complex or compound sentences to express your ideas. This demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and can positively impact your score. For example, combining ideas with conjunctions like 'and' or relative clauses using 'which' can enhance sentence complexity. 

Reading: Skim for Overall Meaning

Before filling in blanks in reading passages, quickly skim the text to grasp its overall meaning. This strategy helps you understand the context and aids in selecting the most appropriate words for the blanks. For example, identifying the main topic of a passage can guide your choices in 'Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks' tasks. 

Listening: Take Notes During Recordings

In the 'Summarise Spoken Text' task, use the 7-second preparation time to jot down key points on your erasable whiteboard. This practice allows you to capture essential information and organise your thoughts before writing your summary. For instance, noting down main ideas and supporting details can lead to a more coherent and comprehensive summary. 

General Tip: Avoid Memorised Responses

Craft your responses during the test based on the prompts provided, rather than relying on pre-memorised answers. This ensures that your responses are relevant and tailored to the specific questions, which is crucial for achieving higher scores. For example, in tasks like 'Describe Image' or 'Retell Lecture,' speaking naturally and spontaneously can lead to better performance.

Many students find it overwhelming to keep track of all PTE exam dates, centres, and section-wise preparation strategies. Missing out on a booking window or not practising the right question types can create unnecessary stress. Planning each section, understanding the scoring system, and reviewing sample questions regularly can save time and boost confidence before the test. Taking small, consistent steps each day often works better than cramming everything at the last minute.

Yocket Premium can make your PTE preparation journey smoother by providing personalised guidance and detailed insights on exam patterns, ideal score targets, and university requirements.