PTE Academic Practice Questions

PTE 65 corresponds approximately to B2+ (Upper-Intermediate). The CEFR mapping is: PTE 85–90 = C2, 76–84 = C1, 59–75 = B2, 43–58 = B1, 30–42 = A2, 10–29 = A1. For most Australian PR visa subclasses (189, 190, 491), the minimum per skill is 65.

Integrated scoring means that a single task can contribute to multiple communicative skill scores simultaneously. For example, Write from Dictation contributes to both Listening and Writing. Describe Image contributes to both Speaking scores. This means a few high-value tasks can move multiple skill scores at once — making task prioritisation critical. Focus on integrated tasks first.

Communicative skills (Speaking) are a weighted composite of enabling skills. A candidate may score highly in Pronunciation (an enabling skill) but poorly in Oral Fluency (another enabling skill) — hesitations, pauses, and irregular pacing. The final Speaking score blends all contributing enabling skills, so a low enabling skill pulls the communicative score down. This is why the enabling skills breakdown is more actionable than the overall score.

PTE Academic results are typically available within 2–5 business days. Because the test is entirely AI-scored (no human examiners), results are faster than IELTS (5–13 days). This makes PTE attractive for visa applicants on tight timelines. Scores are valid for 2 years.

Priority order: Listening (58) → Writing (61). Both are below the 65 minimum. The good news: Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text contribute to both Listening and Writing — improving these two tasks simultaneously moves both scores. Target WfD daily and SpoT 2×/day. Do not neglect Writing essays either (they are pure Writing score).

In standard British English (which PTE uses as its primary accent benchmark), CON-troversy (first syllable stress) is the traditional pronunciation. American English uses con-TRO-versy. PTE's AI accepts both, but consistency is important — don't mix British and American stress patterns within a reading. The bigger risk in Read Aloud is unnatural pausing or misreading words, not accent.

Low score on both. Content: The description does not identify the trend (increasing? decreasing?), does not mention specific values or the highest/lowest bars, and gives no conclusion. Oral Fluency: Short, disconnected sentences with no linking language. A model answer would be: "The bar chart illustrates [topic]. Overall, [main trend]. In [year], [specific value], which was the highest/lowest. In contrast, [comparison year] showed [value]."

4-paragraph structure:
Para 1 (Introduction): Paraphrase the prompt + state your position in 2–3 sentences.
Para 2 (View 1 — free education): Argument + explanation + example. ~80 words.
Para 3 (View 2 — paid education + your stronger view): Argument + explanation + example. ~80 words.
Para 4 (Conclusion): Restate both views + affirm your position. ~40 words.
Total: 200–300 words. PTE essays are scored on Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Coherence — not word count alone.

That sentence is approximately 55 words — within the 5–75 word limit. It uses a single complex sentence (correct for SWT format). However, it lists multiple points without a clear hierarchy. A stronger response prioritises the author's main argument: "The passage argues that [main thesis], noting that [key supporting evidence], and concluding that [solution/implication]." Aim for clarity over comprehensiveness.

When you see the image, use the 25-second preparation time to plan your 4-part response: Opening (what type of image/what it shows) → Main trend/feature → 1–2 supporting details → Closing summary. The "3-second pause" refers to taking a brief planned pause between your 4 parts to signal structure without breaking fluency. This prevents the common error of running all ideas together in one breathless monologue, which reduces Oral Fluency scores.

"This approach" is a reference pronoun — it points backward to something already mentioned. Box 3 cannot be the first paragraph. It must immediately follow a paragraph that introduced "this approach." Look for a box that describes or names a specific approach — that box comes just before Box 3. Additionally, "however" signals a contrast with the preceding sentence.

"test" — base form infinitive. The structure "designed to ___" requires a base form infinitive (to + verb base). "Testing" is a gerund/present participle. "Tested" is past participle. "Tests" is third-person present. Rule: "to + verb base" = infinitive construction. Other examples: "decided to go," "intended to improve," "designed to test."

Select only A and C. With negative marking, the expected value of selecting option E at 50% confidence is: 50% chance of +1 and 50% chance of −1 = expected value of 0. You neither gain nor lose on average. However, this ignores the risk — a wrong selection costs a certain −1 against uncertain +1. The conservative strategy: only select options where confidence exceeds 70%.

Suggested distribution: R&W FIB: 2 min/item × 5 items = 10 min | Re-order Paragraphs: 3 min/item × 3 items = 9 min | Reading FIB: 1.5 min/item × 5 items = 7 min | MCQ Multiple: 2 min/item × 2 items = 4 min | MCQ Single: 1.5 min/item × 2 items = 3 min. Total: ~33 min. If you fall behind, skip difficult MCQ items — they have fewer marks than FIB.

The error is subject-verb agreement: "intervention significantly improves" (singular subject "intervention" needs "improves"). You wrote "improve" (incorrect). Score: 8/9 — one word wrong means −1. Key lesson: even if you heard the word correctly, typing under pressure can cause grammatical slips. Re-read your typed sentence before moving on to catch agreement errors.

You will lose marks on Content. PTE expects the summary to cover the main points — if better sleep quality was a major point (supported by evidence and detail), omitting it reduces Content score. The form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling scores may still be high. This is why note-taking is critical — use shorthand to capture all major points during the audio.

Yes. The transcript word "risen" differs from the audio word "increased." In Highlight Incorrect Words, you click any transcript word that was NOT said in the audio — regardless of whether the alternative word has a similar meaning. The task tests careful listening accuracy, not comprehension of meaning. Click "risen."

Think about the grammatical role in the sentence. "Affect" is almost always a verb. "Effect" is almost always a noun. Look at what comes before and after the blank: Is there an article ("the effect") → noun → "effect." Is there an auxiliary or subject before it ("can affect," "will affect") → verb → "affect." Also: Write from Dictation sentences are often grammatically complete — use grammar to resolve spelling doubts.

(B) "implementing congestion pricing." The recording discusses traffic congestion solutions — the missing word should logically continue this discussion. Option A (emissions) is related but is a consequence of traffic, not a direct solution. Option C (railways) is a transport topic but shifts away from congestion. Option D (agriculture) is completely off-topic. Option B directly continues the congestion-solution theme.

"decision" — a noun is needed (possessive phrase "committee's" + blank + prepositional phrase "on funding"). "Decisive" is an adjective, "decide" is a verb, "decidedly" is an adverb. The collocation "decision on [topic]" is standard. Rule: possessive 's before a blank = noun needed.

Error: "made a discover" → should be "made a groundbreaking discovery". Two issues: (1) "discover" is a verb, not a noun — the noun is "discovery." (2) The collocation is "make a discovery" or "carry out research leading to a discovery" — not "conduct a discovery." You conduct research, you make discoveries.

"Furthermore" / "Additionally" / "Moreover" — all add a second benefit (positive + positive relationship). "However" would signal contrast. "Therefore" would signal causation (the pollution reduction causes the jobs). "Nevertheless" concedes a counter-point. Since both ideas are benefits of the same policy, an additive marker is correct.

Practice Write from Dictation daily — minimum 15 sentences. WfD is the highest-impact task because: (1) it contributes to both Listening AND Writing scores; (2) it rewards consistency and drilling — unlike essay writing, WfD skill improves rapidly with volume practice; (3) a 10-point improvement in WfD accuracy can visibly move both Listening and Writing communicative scores.

Use both, but for different purposes. Third-party tools: high volume practice, convenient access, task-specific drills (good for skills building). Official Pearson tests: accurate AI scoring that mirrors the real exam (good for score prediction and final readiness assessment). Over-relying on third-party scores can give false confidence — their scoring algorithms differ. In the final 2 weeks, use only official Pearson scored mocks to benchmark your true readiness.

PTE Academic. Key reasons: (1) PTE Speaking is AI-scored — no human examiner nervousness. (2) PTE's Read Aloud and Describe Image are structured tasks with predictable formats, reducing improvisation pressure. (3) IELTS Speaking Part 2 (long turn) and Part 3 (discussion) require spontaneous, extended speech with a live examiner. Candidates with grammar strength but spoken-confidence weakness typically perform better under AI scoring conditions.