PTE - (Pearson Test of English Academic)

It is a highly popular exam among the people from all corners of the globe, who want to accomplish their dream of studying abroad or become a permanent resident of an English-speaking country like Australia. This well-designed computer-based test assesses the candidate's English language proficiency on his/her Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening skills.

To smash the PTE exam with an excellent score, a person has to perform well in all of these four sections.

PART 1 - Speaking & Writing

  • Part 1 of the Pearson Test of English tests you on your Speaking and Writing skills which broadly ranges from 77 minutes to 93 minutes in time. You have to manage your time well if you want to score well in your PTE.  To achieve great results, you should be able to present your English-speaking skills in an academic environment with accuracy in spellings and grammar.

There are a number of different types of sections or question types:

  • Personal introduction
  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat sentences
  • Describe image
  • Re-tell lectures
  • Answer short questions
  • Summarise written text
  • Essay (20 minutes)

PART 2 - Reading

  • The Reading part comes with a skill test of your Reading ability. This will take about 32-41 minutes of the entire paper and is often given preference after the first section. Re-ordering, multiple choice questions and filling in the blanks are some of the several question types used in this section which test your response to the varied usage of the English language.

The Reading section of the PTE is broken down into 5 sub-sections:

  • Multiple Choice, Single Answer
  • Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
  • Re-ordering of paragraphs
  • Fill in the blanks: Reading
  • Fill in the blanks: Reading and Writing

PART 3 - Listening

  • Primarily based on video and audio clips, the third section lasts for about 45 to 57 minutes on an average. In this section, you will have to listen to the audio/visual recording and respond to a number of different question types.

The types of questions asked are:

  • Summarising the spoken text
  • Multiple choice questions (choose multiple)
  • Multiple choice questions (choose single)
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Highlight correct summary
  • Select the missing word
  • Highlight all incorrect words
  • Write the dictated words

 

IELTS - International English Language Testing System

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally approved English language proficiency test for study, work and migration in Australia. IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based English Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking proficiency exams.

All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but different Reading and Writing tests. IELTS has four parts – Listening (40 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests.

  • IELTS is accepted and recognised by more than 10,000 different educational, government and professional organisations. To be eligible for study, work or migration in Australia, you will need to be able to demonstrate the minimum requirements through a certified Australian English test.

 

Level of English required for all Australian visas

Visa Type Level of English
482 TSS Visa

 - Medium and Long Term TSS Visa (482): IELTS 5 (no skill below 5) or equivalent

 - Short-Term TSS Visa (482) : IELTS overall 5 (no skill below 4.5) or equivalent

ENS 186 visa IELTS 6 in all skills or equivalent
RSMS 187 visa IELTS 6 in all skills or equivalent
Most Skilled Migration visas (189 visa, 190 visa and 491 visa & 494 visa)
Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent in all skills 0
Proficient English (IELTS 7 or equivalent in all skills) 10
Superior English (IELTS 8 or equivalent in all skills) 20

 

 

Summary of test score equivalencies

English Language proficiency level IELTS TOEFL iBT PTE Academic OET Cambridge (CAE)
Vocational 5.0 Listening & Reading 4.0 , Writing & Speaking 14 36 B 154
Competent 6.0 Listening: 12, Reading: 13, Writing: 21, Speaking: 18 50 B 169
Proficient (for points tested
Skilled visas)
7.0 Listening & Reading: 24, Writing: 27, Speaking: 23 65 B 185
Superior (for points tested
Skilled visas)
8.0 Listening: 28, Reading: 29, Writing: 30, Speaking: 26 79 A 200

 

PTE & IELTS