Inside the Test Room — What to Expect

You've Been Escorted to Your Computer

The proctor seats you, hands you a headset and erasable booklet, and walks away. The screen shows the Pearson PTE test interface. Here's what happens next.

Step 1: Microphone Calibration (3 minutes)

Before the test starts, you go through a short calibration:

Test the headset audio level (you hear sample speech, adjust volume to comfortable).
Microphone test — you say "I am studying English" or similar and confirm the recording level looks good.
Critical: speak at the volume you'll use during the test. If your calibration is too loud or too soft, the recordings later will be inconsistent.

Step 2: Personal Introduction (1 minute, NOT scored)

You record a 30-second personal intro that's sent to your selected institutions but does NOT count toward your score. Talk about your education, work, why you're taking PTE.

Tip: Treat it as warm-up — get your voice loose for the real Speaking section that starts immediately after.

Step 3: Speaking + Writing Section (54–67 minutes)

Speaking comes first (Read Aloud → Repeat Sentence → Describe Image → Re-tell Lecture → Answer Short Question → Summarise Group Discussion), then Writing (Summarise Written Text → Write Essay).

Each Speaking question has its own preparation timer + recording timer.
You CAN'T go back to a previous Speaking question.
You CAN review and edit Writing answers within the section.

Step 4: Optional 10-Minute Break

The system offers an optional break between Writing and Reading sections. Most candidates take it — toilet, water, snack from locker, mental reset.

Step 5: Reading Section (29–30 minutes)

Multiple Choice (Single + Multiple), Re-order Paragraphs, Reading Fill in the Blanks (drag), Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks (dropdown).

You CAN navigate within Reading — flag a question for review and come back. Use this for fill-in-the-blanks where the obvious answers come faster than the trickier ones.

Step 6: Listening Section (30–43 minutes)

Summarise Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Fill in Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Highlight Incorrect Words, Select Missing Word, Write from Dictation.

Audio plays ONCE for every question. No replays. Headphones in, eyes on screen.
You CAN navigate within Listening (review later) for non-audio question types.
Write from Dictation appears at the END — fresh ears matter; some students intentionally save energy for these.

Step 7: Submit

The test ends automatically when the timer runs out, or when you click "End Test" after finishing.

You confirm submission.
Screen shows "Thank you for taking PTE Academic" — you're done.
Raise your hand; proctor walks you out.

Step 8: Leaving the Centre

Hand back the erasable booklet + marker (don't take it).
Retrieve belongings from the locker.
Head out. No discussion of test content with anyone.

Common Test-Room Surprises

Other candidates speaking around you — Yes, this is normal. Speaking sections are timed differently for each candidate (you might be on Reading while your neighbour is on Speaking). Headphones are designed to noise-cancel.
Cold rooms — Air conditioning on full. Bring a layer.
Slow computer at start — Sometimes test takes 1–2 minutes to load. Don't panic.
Headset feels uncomfortable — Adjust the band; ask the proctor for a different headset if it's really bad.