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We’ve made a few updates to the PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI tests. To make sure you’ve got the facts, we’ve created a short video that walks you through everything you need to know.
Hosted by Jarrad, one of our product managers, this video covers what’s being updated, what’s staying the same, and how it all benefits you as a test taker.
The original 20 question types are still in the test.
We are adding two new speaking question types to give you even more chance to demonstrate your skills.
Tips on how to prepare for the new speaking question types.
There are no changes to pricing, ID requirements, or score delivery time.
There are no changes to the way the test is taken (including the Speaking section).
Play
For more information on the test enhancements, explore our test updates page.
Here are some key questions and answers which are also covered in the video:
The updated PTE Academic test is almost exactly the same:
It still has the original 20 questions that you're familiar with.
The format of the questions has not changed.
There are, however, two new speaking question types, and there are some minor scoring enhancements.
Well, first of all, tests should change from time to time. It means they're evolving, are staying up to date with technology and society, and our understanding of how language is used. So these latest test updates will allow you to show off your English skills better than ever.
No, the changes are designed for test takers to showcase a broader range of English skills. But this doesn't mean the test is more difficult. It simply means that with a broader range of question types, you have even more opportunity to showcase your English skills.
We know how important fast results are for you. You'll still get your scores back within two days in almost all cases. In rare instances it may take slightly longer, but we'll keep you updated every step of the way.
Yes. There are no changes here. The same institutions still accept PTE. To find an up-to-date list, visit our Who accepts PTE? page.
No. The price stays the same. We do occasionally change our test prices, so for up-to-date prices by country, please visit our test centers and fees page.
The changes only affect PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI. PTE Core and PTE Home are not affected.
Institutions do review their score requirements from time to time, so we recommend checking with your chosen institution before taking the test.
Yes, there are no changes whatsoever to the ID requirements that you'll need. And if you need to apply for an ID exception, please visit our ID policy page.
Yes, the retake limits stay the same. Please visit our retake policy page for full information.
No, the booking process for PTE tests hasn't changed. You can still book a test online or by contacting our customer support team over the phone.
The original 20 question types – that is, the tasks themselves, the format, the timings, and the types of responses expected – are exactly the same.
There are two new question types:
Respond to a Situation, and
Summarize Group Discussion
They're both speaking tasks, and you can find out more information about them on our updates page.
The average test duration will still be around two hours. While we have added two new questions and have increased the number of some existing tasks, it's typical for many test takers to take less than two hours to complete their test.
You can still prepare for PTE Academic in the same way that you've always prepared, but we recommend that you pay close attention to the two new speaking question types and prepare specifically for how to answer these questions. Visit our PTE Academic preparation page for more information on the preparation resources we offer.
We have created two full length videos on the two new question types:
There is also a test tip document which will help you to prepare properly for the two new question types.
No, the PTE Academic Score Report will still show your Overall , Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing scores on a scale of 10-90.
By using the best of AI combined with the best of human expertise, you get the most accurate score. As long as you continue to provide genuine responses to all the questions, you won't notice a difference.
No. Double marking – that is, human and AI scoring for content – is used for seven of the 22 PTE Academic question types.
That question types which use double marking are:
Describe Image
Retell Lecture
Summarize Written Text
Write Essay
Summarize Spoken Text
Summarize Group Discussion
Respond to a Situation
Yes, absolutely. PTE Academic is still a primarily AI-scored test taken at a computer in a test center.
A human marker will never mark your pronunciation or fluency, as these aspects continue to be marked by a machine. For these reasons, you can be sure that your accent or appearance will not be judged.
The human experts always use the exact same rating scales as the AI. These rating scales are published in the Score Guide.
The human expert will only see your response. They will not see your photograph, and they will not know your name or where you're from or anything about you. In fact, your test is likely to be marked by multiple human experts because all the responses that require human input get distributed to different markers. It's only your English language skills that are being judged, nothing else.
All PTE Academic human scoring is done by highly qualified expert raters who are managed by Pearson.
The PTE Academic responses that require human double marking are distributed anonymously and scored at response level, so your test is likely to be marked by multiple people.
For any response where a machine and a human score differ, a second human makes a final judgement.
No, the human expert will never score your pronunciation or oral fluency. These traits will continue to be scored only by the AI. You can rest assured that your accent will not affect your score.
PTE Academic still uses an AI-first approach to scoring. Every response gets an AI score. The AI understands different accents and doesn't see what you look like.
The human review is a small part of the process and is only used to validate the AI score on some aspects.
If the human score differs from the AI score, a second human expert will make the final score decision to ensure the fairest, most accurate result.
Your existing booking remains unchanged, so if you want to change the date of your test, you can reschedule it. For more information, you can read our reschedule and cancellation policy.
The PTE Academic changes are designed to assess a broader range of real-world academic skills for study and in the workplace, making the test more relevant and authentic.
The test continues to be trusted by governments and institutions worldwide, so you can continue to use it to reach your goals.
The Summarize Group Discussion task is one of the most comprehensive speaking challenges in PTE Academic. It tests your ability to listen actively, take effective notes, and deliver a coherent summary that captures multiple perspectives.
Understanding how to approach this task strategically can significantly boost your speaking score.
The "Respond to a Situation" task in the Speaking section of PTE Academic tests your ability to handle real-world university scenarios using appropriate language. This task simulates everyday campus interactions, requiring you to respond naturally and effectively to common situations you might encounter as a student.
Knowing your English level helps you pick the right course, get visas, and make strong applications for work or school. In short: proficiency levels are standard descriptions of what you can do in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
You can check your level with trusted online tests or official exams like PTE Academic or PTE Core, which give scores based on global standards. Below, we explain how levels are defined, how they’re tested, how to estimate your current ability, and what different goals usually need, so you can plan your next step with confidence.
Language proficiency levels show how well you can read, listen, speak, and write. These levels follow shared standards so schools, employers, and governments around the world can easily understand your skills.
The most common system is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which rates language ability from beginner (A1) to highly advanced (C2). A recent overview explains CEFR’s role as a standard for designing tests and interpreting scores across countries and programs and notes ongoing efforts to keep it up to date for modern assessments.
Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) provides a more granular 10–90 scale that also aligns to CEFR tiers. This makes it easier to see fine-grained progress and map scores to CEFR bands.
Typical CEFR levels at a glance:
A1: Understand and use everyday expressions; introduce yourself; ask and answer simple questions
A2: Handle routine tasks; describe immediate needs and simple aspects of daily life
B1: Understand main points of clear standard input; produce simple connected text; manage travel or work situations
B2: Interact with fluency on familiar topics; write clear, detailed text; follow lectures with some support
C1: Use English flexibly and effectively in academic and professional contexts; understand demanding texts
C2: Understand virtually everything heard or read; summarize information coherently; express nuanced ideas precisely
Common uses:
A1-A2: Mainly used for basic immigration visas, family reunification, entry-level work or training programs, and integration courses where simple everyday communication is sufficient.
B1–B2: Many vocational programs, initial professional roles, and some visa pathways
B2–C1: Most undergraduate admissions and professional certifications
C1–C2: Postgraduate study, specialized professions, and roles requiring complex communication
Proficiency is measured across four core skills:
Reading:Understanding texts, identifying main ideas and details, and interpreting vocabulary in context
Listening : Following speech at natural speed, recognizing key information, and inferring meaning
Speaking: Producing clear, organized speech; using accurate grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
Writing: Composing well-structured texts suited to purpose and audience; demonstrating control of grammar and cohesion
The scoring for most English language tests is measured against the CEFR. For The scores for PTE Academic (for studying and work) and PTE Core (for general use and migration), align to CEFR with scoring between 10 and 90. Learn more about PTE scoring alignment.
Build a reliable picture by mixing official tests with quick checks and reflective habits:
Take a recognized practice test: Use an official Pearson PTE Scored Practice materials Test
or other reputable online assessments to estimate your CEFR level and identify strengths and gaps
Practice with PTE-style items: Work through sample reading tasks (e.g., fill-in-the-blanks), listening summaries, and short spoken responses to simulate real test conditions.
Use self-analysis prompts that match the CEFR level you are aiming for: For example, ask, “Can I follow a university lecture?”, “Can I write a formal email with clear structure?”, “Can I explain a process or opinion for 60–90 seconds?”
Requirements vary, but many universities, colleges, professional bodies, and visa authorities set minimum thresholds around B1–C1, or the equivalent GSE score range of 43-84 for PTE Academic and PTE Core. . Some UK family and settlement visas require A1 or A2 level. Always confirm details with the program or government authority.
Typical requirement ranges (illustrative):
University / College admission:
Undergraduate: Often B2; competitive programs may prefer C1
Postgraduate: Commonly C1
Professional certification:
General professional registration: Frequently B2–C1
Visa/migration pathways:
Skilled migration: Typically B1–B2+ equivalents; some routes require higher levels depending on occupation
Family visas: Often A1-A2.
For Canadian migration scenarios, explore PTE Core requirements and pathways here.
For UK migration, consider PTE UK visa SELT tests.
For many learners, English isn't just the goal; it’s the way to get degrees, licenses, and international jobs. Universities and employers look at test scores to decide who to admit or hire. Once students are in university or at work, success depends on great communication (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) skills, whether it's doing research or talking to clients.
Research indicates that higher English proficiency supports academic performance and integration for international students, improving classroom participation and social engagement. In the workplace, clear communication underpins teamwork, safety, and advancement, making ongoing skill development a career investment, not just a test goal.
Target all four skills with short, consistent practice:
Daily core routine (20–40 minutes):
Listening: Listen to 2–3 minutes of a podcast or lecture; note new phrases
Speaking: Answer one daily Q&A aloud (60–90 seconds) on familiar topics
Reading: Skim a news article; summarize the main idea in two sentences
Writing: Draft a short email or 120–150 word paragraph; focus on structure and linking words
Quick wins:
Grammar and vocabulary: Do 10 fill-in-the-blank or sentence completion items; build a personal word bank with examples
Reading for context: Underline signal words (however, therefore) and infer meaning of three unknown words from context
Listening focus: Practice identifying the overarching meaning first, then the key details and numbers
Feedback loop: Swap writing with a friend or use self-scoring checklists; act on one improvement point per day
To prepare for your English exam, practice with practice tests that are similar to your actual test and check the scoring guidelines to make sure your answers meet the expectations. If you aren't sure where to start take our 'Which test is right for me?' tool. You can also read our article 'How to pick an English test that works for you'.
Practice short answers to everyday prompts like “What did you do today?” and “What do you like to eat?” to build fluency and reduce hesitation.
Use clarifiers such as “Could you repeat that more slowly?” or “Do you mean…?” to confirm meaning and keep the conversation clear.
Do fill-in-the-blanks, sentence completion, and synonym/antonym matching to reinforce patterns and expand word choice.
Study common task types (reading comprehension, short writing, gap-fill, brief speaking responses) and practice them under timed conditions to build accuracy and pacing. You can also try practice tests to get used to the format of a specific test, like PTE.
![[asset] Understanding your English proficiency - woman studying on laptop](/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/articles/-asset--Understanding-your-English-proficiency---woman-studying-on-laptop.png)