PTE Core Question Types & How Each Is Scored
PTE Core has eighteen question types across speaking, writing, reading and listening. They are scored in different ways — some by fixed rules, some by AI, two with negative marking — and knowing which is which is half the strategy. Here is every Core type, how it is scored, and a full guide for each.
Scoring at a glance
| Scoring method | Applies to |
|---|---|
| AI speech scoring | Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation, Answer Short Question |
| AI writing scoring | Summarize Written Text, Write Email, Summarize Spoken Text |
| Deterministic (fixed rules) | All reading tasks, Fill in the Blanks, Write from Dictation, Select Missing Word |
| Negative marking | Multiple Choice Multiple Answers (reading & listening) and Highlight Incorrect Words only |
Speaking question types
Writing question types
Reading question types
Listening question types
Frequently asked questions
How many question types are in PTE Core?
Eighteen, across speaking (5), writing (2), reading (5) and listening (6), including the Core-specific Write Email and Respond to a Situation tasks.
Which PTE Core questions have negative marking?
Only Multiple Choice Multiple Answers (reading and listening) and Highlight Incorrect Words — each wrong selection cancels a correct one, floored at zero. No other Core task carries a penalty.
Does PTE Core have an essay?
No — Core replaces the academic essay with Write Email (80–120 words) and uses a shorter 25–50 word Summarize Written Text, reflecting its everyday and workplace focus.
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