PTE Academic Test Format & Timing
PTE Academic is a single computer-based session of about two hours, split into three timed parts taken in a fixed order: Speaking & Writing, then Reading, then Listening. Here is the exact pattern, what each part contains and how long it runs.
The three parts, in order
Approximate durations — the exam runs as one continuous session.
| Part | Skills | What it contains | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Speaking & Writing | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation and Answer Short Question, then Summarize Written Text and Write Essay | 54–67 min |
| Part 2 | Reading | Fill in the Blanks (both formats), Re-order Paragraphs and Multiple Choice (single and multiple) | ≈29–30 min |
| Part 3 | Listening | Summarize Spoken Text on its own timer, then dictation, highlight, fill-in and multiple-choice tasks | 30–43 min |
How the timing works
Speaking tasks self-advance through a preparation countdown then a recording window; writing tasks each have their own timer; and reading and most listening tasks share a pooled clock, so you decide how to spend the time within the section. Once a part's clock expires, unanswered questions submit automatically — which is why pacing, not just accuracy, decides many scores.
The exact number of questions varies between test versions, because PTE draws from a large pool, but the structure, task types and part order above are fixed.
Practise under the real format
A full PTE Monster mock test reproduces this exact three-part structure with the same timers and auto-submission, so exam-day pacing feels familiar. Sectional mocks let you rehearse one part at a time under its real clock.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the PTE Academic test?
About two hours in a single computer-based session, covering Speaking & Writing, then Reading, then Listening. There is no separate speaking appointment — everything is done at one computer.
What is the order of the PTE Academic exam?
A fixed order: Part 1 Speaking & Writing, Part 2 Reading, then Part 3 Listening. You cannot return to an earlier part once its time is up.
How many questions are in PTE Academic?
It varies by test version because questions are drawn from a large pool, but the twenty task types and the three-part structure are always the same.
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