By Nur Elami Atiqah, English teacher at EMS Language Centre
PTE Academic is a computer based English test that checks your speaking, writing, reading and listening in one sitting of about two hours. You get an overall score from 10 to 90, and results usually arrive within 48 hours. Universities, governments and employers in many countries accept it, and you can take it right here in Malaysia.
That is the short version. Below, we walk through the whole test in plain language: the three parts, how a computer can grade your speaking, what happens on the day, and what to do once your score comes in.
PTE Academic in One Paragraph
PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. You sit at a computer in a test centre, wear a headset with a microphone, and work through three timed parts. There is no examiner sitting across from you. Your answers are recorded and scored by Pearson’s scoring system, with human experts checking some of the longer answers. Many tasks test two skills at once, so one good answer can lift two parts of your score.
| Part | What it tests | Roughly how long |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Speaking and Writing | Speaking clearly and writing well organised answers | About an hour |
| Part 2: Reading | Understanding written English | About 30 minutes |
| Part 3: Listening | Understanding spoken English | About 30 to 45 minutes |
The whole test takes about two hours, including a short introduction at the start.
The Three Parts of the Test
Part 1: Speaking and Writing
This is the longest part and the one students worry about most. It starts with a short personal introduction that is not scored but is sent to universities along with your result, so treat it like a quick first impression.
Then come the speaking tasks. You will read a short passage aloud, repeat sentences you hear, describe a chart or picture, retell a short lecture in your own words and answer quick questions. After that come the writing tasks: summarising a passage in one sentence and writing a short essay.
The key thing to know is that you speak into a microphone, not to a person. Some students love this because there is no one to feel nervous in front of. Others find it strange at first. Either way, it gets easier with practice.
Part 2: Reading
The reading part checks how well you understand written English. You will fill in missing words in a passage, answer multiple choice questions and put jumbled paragraphs back in the right order. One of the fill in the blanks tasks also counts towards your writing score, because choosing the right word depends on grammar and vocabulary.
Part 3: Listening
In the listening part you hear short recordings, lectures and conversations. You will summarise what you heard, pick the right answers, spot words that do not match the recording and type out a sentence exactly as you hear it. That last task, called Write From Dictation, counts towards both listening and writing, which is why teachers often call it one of the most valuable tasks on the test.
What Changed in August 2025
Pearson updated the speaking part of PTE Academic in August 2025 and added two new tasks:
- Respond to a Situation: you read or hear about an everyday situation and say how you would respond, the way you would in real life.
- Summarise Group Discussion: you listen to a few people discussing a topic and then sum up the main points out loud.
Both tasks are about using English the way you actually would at university or work. If you are using study material from before August 2025, check that it includes these two tasks.
How PTE Is Scored
The 10 to 90 Score Scale
Your overall score sits between 10 and 90, with 90 the highest. You also get a separate score for each of the four skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Universities and visa offices often ask for an overall score plus a minimum in each skill, so it pays to be balanced. Our guide to what PTE score you need shows the typical targets and the official IELTS equivalents.
Why One Answer Can Count Towards Two Skills
This is the part that surprises most students. Many PTE tasks are “integrated”, which means they test more than one skill at once. Retelling a lecture uses both listening and speaking. Writing a sentence from dictation uses both listening and writing. So a strong answer on one task can push up two of your skill scores together, and a weak one can pull down two. Good preparation focuses on these high value tasks first.
Computer Scoring, With Human Checks
PTE is scored mainly by Pearson’s automated system, which has been trained on a very large number of real answers. Simple answers, like multiple choice, are marked right or wrong. Longer answers, like your essay or spoken summaries, are scored on several things such as content, grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation. Since the 2025 update, human experts also review some longer answers to check the content makes sense before your score is finalised. Fluency and pronunciation are still scored automatically.
What this means for you: the system listens for clear, steady speech. You do not need a perfect accent. You do need to keep speaking smoothly without long pauses or restarting sentences.
What Happens on Test Day
- Arrive early with your passport. Your ID must match the name on your booking exactly.
- Check in. The centre takes your photo and a palm vein scan for security, and stores your belongings in a locker.
- Sit down at your computer. You get a headset with a microphone and a small notepad with a pen for notes.
- Do the test. The three parts run back to back. Other students will be speaking at the same time, so the room is not silent. Practising with background noise really helps.
- Leave. There is nothing to wait for. Your results come by email.
PTE test centres in Malaysia include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, with morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Check the current fee and pick a date on Pearson’s booking page, or ask our team at EMS to help you book. If you are still building your skills, our PTE Academic preparation course gets you ready before you pay for the test.
Results, Retakes and Sending Your Score
Most students get their results within 48 hours, often sooner. Your score is valid for two years. You can send it to as many universities and organisations as you like through your Pearson account, and there is no extra charge for that.
If you do not reach your target, you can book again. Look at your skill scores first. They usually show exactly where the gap is, which makes the next attempt far more focused than simply “trying again”.
Is PTE Easier Than IELTS?
Not easier, but different, and the difference suits some students much better. PTE is fully on a computer, gives results in about two days and has no face to face speaking test. IELTS has a speaking interview with a real examiner and is available on paper or computer. Students who type comfortably and get nervous speaking to a person often prefer PTE. Students who like a real conversation often prefer IELTS.
The bigger question is which test your university or visa accepts. Our full guide on how PTE compares with IELTS and TOEFL walks you through that decision in about ten minutes.
How EMS Prepares Students for PTE
At EMS, PTE preparation runs two hours a day in small classes over one to two months, so every student gets real feedback on their speaking and writing. You practise every task type, including the two new speaking tasks, take full mock tests under real timing, and learn the strategies that matter most for the integrated tasks. If you are not sure where your English is today, start with our free placement test.
Ready to start? Join our PTE Academic preparation course in Kuala Lumpur.
Register now: https://ems.edu.my/online-application/
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the PTE Academic test?
The PTE Academic test takes about two hours. It has three parts: speaking and writing, which is the longest at about an hour, then reading and listening at roughly 30 to 45 minutes each. There are no breaks between parts, so it helps to practise full length mock tests before test day.
Is PTE scored by a computer or a person?
PTE is scored mainly by Pearson’s automated scoring system. Since August 2025, human experts also review some longer answers to check the content before scores are finalised. Fluency and pronunciation are still scored automatically, so clear and steady speech matters more than having a particular accent.
How quickly do PTE results come out?
Most students receive their PTE results within 48 hours of taking the test, and often sooner. Results come by email and you can view them in your Pearson account. Your score is valid for two years and can be sent to as many institutions as you like at no extra cost.
Can I take PTE in Malaysia?
Yes. PTE Academic test centres in Malaysia include Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu, with sessions in the morning, afternoon and evening. You book online through Pearson, and EMS in Kuala Lumpur can help you with the booking and with preparing for the test.
Is PTE accepted by universities?
PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities, including many in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, and by a growing number of institutions in Malaysia. It is also accepted for several visa and migration programmes. Always check the exact requirement with your university or visa office before you book.
