• PTE
PTE Score Chart 2024: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation
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The PTE scoring system is transparent and logical. By understanding the point distribution within each skill and the overall calculation method, students can develop targeted study plans. This blog goes beyond the mechanics of scoring, equipping students with the knowledge to assess their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and optimize their preparation for each PTE section.
Table of Contents
- • What is PTE?
- • What is a PTE Score Report?
- • PTE Score Chart 2024: What does your PTE score mean?
- • Understanding PTE Score Comparison with IELTS and TOEFL
- • What is the PTE scoring system?
- • PTE Reading Score Chart
- • PTE Listening Score Chart
- • PTE Speaking & Writing Score Chart
- • Which Countries Accept PTE Scores?
- • How PTE Score is Calculated?
- • Breakdown of PTE Score Ranges
- • How to Check PTE Results?
- • PTE Score Reporting: How to Send PTE Score
Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While several English Language Proficiency (ELP) tests exist, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) offers a distinct advantage to international students.
Unlike traditional pen-and-paper tests, the PTE test offers a digital, immersive experience to the test takers that mirrors real-world scenarios. Speaking to a virtual audience, responding to lectures, and writing essays on current topics closely resemble the academic and social demands students face abroad. This modern approach, coupled with its transparent scoring system and fast results, makes PTE one of the most preferred English language proficiency exams for many ambitious aspirants.
What is PTE?
Pearson Test of English (PTE), is a computer-based language proficiency test designed to assess a candidate’s command of 'International English.' The test has a duration of 2 hours and is conducted in a single session at a designated exam centre.
While achieving a desired score is essential, the PTE Score Chart offers valuable insights beyond mere numbers. It reveals the specific language skills assessed in each section, allowing students to tailor their preparation accordingly.
Types of PTE test
PTE is widely accepted for academic purposes like university admissions and professional purposes like immigration applications. Below is a table summarizing the key differences between the General and Academic PTE test.
Feature | PTE Academic | PTE General |
Focus | Academic English | Everyday English |
Purpose | University admissions, professional licenses | Immigration applications |
Content | Academic topics, lectures, essays | Social situations, conversations, emails |
Scoring | Aligned with Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels | Aligned with IELTS General Training bands |
What is a PTE Score Report?
The PTE academic score report includes two types of scoring;
Overall Score | It provides the overall score, ranging between 10-90 points, reflecting the individual’s overall English proficiency across the test. |
Communicative skills scores | These are the scores that the candidates get individually on the four key areas, speaking, writing, reading, and listening, along with a detailed overview of a student’s language capabilities. |
In a PTE Academic Score Report, the English language proficiency of the test takers is evaluated based on their skills in all four aspects of a language such as speaking, writing, reading and listening. Below are the evaluation details associated with all four aspects.
Skill | Evaluation |
Speaking | This section assesses an individual’s fluency, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary in spoken English. The report also provides additional details like fluency and pronunciation range. |
Writing | This section evaluates the grammar, accuracy, vocabulary, and coherence in written English. Individuals receive a score and feedback on specific areas like grammar and sentence framing. |
Reading | This section measures the comprehension of various text types, including academic articles and everyday materials. The student’s score is accompanied by information about their ability to handle complex texts and infer meaning. |
Listening | This section tests the ability to understand spoken English in different contexts, like lectures and conversations. Students receive their score and details about their comprehension of various accents and speaking styles. |
PTE Score Chart 2024: What does your PTE score mean?
PTE Score | CEFR Level | English Proficiency Level |
85-90 | C2 | Expert |
76-84 | C1 | Advanced |
59-75 | B2 | Upper-Intermediate |
43-58 | B1 | Intermediate |
30-42 | A2 | Elementary |
10-29 | A1 | Beginner |
PTE provides detailed feedback on the student’s performance in each skill area, guiding them for future preparation. PTE scores are valid for two years and students can retake the PTE as often as needed to achieve the desired scores.
Understanding PTE Score Comparison with IELTS and TOEFL
PTE Academics and IELTS Band Comparison
PTE Academic | IELTS |
23-28 | 4.5 |
29-35 | 5.0 |
36-45 | 5.5 |
46-55 | 6.0 |
56-65 | 6.5 |
66-75 | 7.0 |
76-83 | 7.5 |
84-88 | 8.0 |
89-90 | 8.5 |
N/A | 9.0 |
PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT Comparison
PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
38 | 40-44 |
42 | 54-56 |
46 | 65-66 |
50 | 74-75 |
53 | 79-80 |
59 | 87-88 |
64 | 94 |
68 | 99-100 |
72 | 105 |
78 | 113 |
84 | 120 |
What is the PTE scoring system?
Correct or Incorrect Scoring | This method objectively assesses tasks with definitive correct or incorrect answers, such as multiple-choice questions or fill-in-the-blanks. |
Partial Credit Scoring | This method offers a detailed assessment of tasks requiring more elaborate responses or subjective evaluation, such as essay writing, speaking tasks, or summarizing written texts. |
Features | Correct or Incorrect Scoring | Partial Credit Scoring |
Applied to | Tasks that have objectively correct or incorrect answers, such as: • Multiple Choice Questions • Fill-in-the-blanks • Re-ordering paragraphs • Selecting missing words | Tasks that require more elaborate responses or involve subjective evaluation, such as: • Repeating Sentences • Summarizing Written Text • Describing Images • Writing Essays • Responding to Essay Prompts |
Scoring | • Candidates receive 1 point for each correct answer • There's no negative marking for incorrect answers | Candidates receive partial credit based on several factors, including: |
Here is a detailed breakdown of the marks individuals receive in the reading, listening, writing, and speaking sections to help you better understand the PTE scoring system.
PTE Reading Score Chart
Task Type | Scoring Method | Prompt Length | Communicative Skills Scored |
Multiple Choice - Single Correct Answer | Correct/Incorrect | Up to 300 words | • Reading Comprehension |
Multiple Choice - Multiple Correct Answers | Correct/Incorrect | Up to 300 words | • Reading Comprehension • Scanning |
Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks | Partial Credit | Up to 300 words | • Reading Comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar |
Fill in the Blanks | Partial Credit | Up to 80 words | • Reading Comprehension • Vocabulary • Grammar |
Re-order Paragraphs | Partial Credit | Up to 150 words | • Reading Comprehension • Text Organization • Logic |
PTE Listening Score Chart
Task Type | Scoring Method | Prompt Length | Communicative Skills |
Multiple Choice-Single Correct Answer | Correct/Incorrect | 30-90 seconds | • Listening Comprehension |
Multiple Choice-Multiple Correct Answers | Correct/Incorrect | 40-90 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Detail Identification |
Fill in the Blanks | Partial Credit | 30-60 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Spelling • Vocabulary |
Highlight Correct Summary | Correct/Incorrect | 30-90 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Summarization |
Write from Dictation | Partial Credit | 3-5 Seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Spelling • Grammar |
Select Missing Word | Correct/Incorrect | 20-70 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Vocabulary |
Highlight Incorrect Word | Correct/Incorrect | 15-50 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Reading |
Summarize Spoken Text | Partial Credit | 30-90 seconds | • Listening Comprehension • Summarization • Conciseness |
PTE Speaking & Writing Score Chart
Task Type | Scoring | Prompt Length | Communicative Skills Scored |
Read Aloud | Partial Credit | Up to 60 words | • Pronunciation • Fluency • Reading |
Describe Image | Partial Credit | N/A | • Vocabulary • Grammar • Cohesion • Relevance |
Repeat Sentence | Partial Credit | 3-9 Seconds | • Pronunciation • Listening • Speaking |
Answer Short Question | Partial Credit | 3-9 Seconds | • Spoken Expression • Vocabulary • Listening |
Re-tell Lecture | Partial Credit | Up to 90 Seconds | • Speaking Skills • Listening • Retention |
Summarize Written Text | Partial Credit | Up to 300 words | • Reading Comprehension • Summarization • Conciseness |
Essay | Partial Credit | 2-3 Sentences | • Writing |
Which Countries Accept PTE Scores?
Australia | USA | South Korea | South Africa |
New zealand | Estonia | Singapore | Taiwan |
China | Vietnam | Ireland | Egypt |
Austria | Spain | Sri Lanka | Thailand |
Canada | Germany | Turkey | Greece |
Bulgaria | UAE | Sweden | Oman |
Hong Kong | Jordan | Bangladesh | Nepal |
How PTE Score is Calculated?
Correct/Incorrect | Objective tasks with definitive answers receive full credit for correct responses and no penalty for incorrect answers. |
Partial Credit | More complex tasks involving subjective evaluation earn partial credit based on various factors like accuracy, fluency, vocabulary, and task fulfilment. |
Automated Scoring | • For most tasks, initial scoring is done by sophisticated algorithms analysing the candidate’s responses objectively. • These algorithms assess various criteria based on the specific task type and scoring method. • The algorithms generate an initial score for each task within each skill area. |
Human Validation | • To ensure accuracy and consistency, trained human experts review responses, particularly those involving subjective evaluation like essays and spoken responses. |
Overall Score | • Individual scores for each task within each skill area are combined to calculate the student’s overall score for that skill. • The overall scores for all four skills are then averaged to generate the candidate’s final PTE score. • This ensures a balanced representation of the candidate’s proficiency across all communication skills. |
Breakdown of PTE Score Ranges
PTE Score | CEFR Level | Focus on Skill Assessment |
85-90 | C2 | • Advanced influence • Outstanding command of all communication skills • Exceptional Understanding and expression |
76-84 | C1 | • High level of fluency • Strong command of all communication skills • Consistent accuracy and complexity in the use of language |
59-75 | B2 | • Very good fluency • Proficient in all communication skills • Confident and effective communication in academic and professional contexts |
43-58 | B1 | • Good fluency • Solid command of all communication skills • Capable of handling academic and professional situations with some occasional challenge |
30-42 | A2 | • Moderate fluency • Developing command of communication skills • May face occasional difficulties in complex academic or professional contexts |
10-29 | A1 | • Low fluency • Basic understanding of English • Requires significant improvement in all communication skills |
How to Check PTE Results?
Steps to Access PTE Scores
PTE Score Reporting: How to Send PTE Score
Steps to sending PTE Score Report
FAQ
PTE scores are valid for a time period of two years from the date of the exam. Upon completion of these two years, the expired scores are automatically removed from the candidate’s account.
The PTE exam does not have any minimum passing score. However, a score of 50-60 out of the total range of 10-90 is considered appropriate for any candidate.
A score of 60 can be considered a competent score, but for better admission prospects, students should strive to get scores ranging between 65 and 75 or above.
Yes, PTE is one of the accepted language proficiency tests in Canada, apart from IELTS, if a candidate plans to study.
The acceptable PTE score varies from institute to institute in Canada. However, the minimum acceptable PTE score ranges between 58 and 73.
Both PTE and IELTS are popular English language proficiency tests taken by candidates across the world. While both tests are equally good, IELTS is a better choice for candidates preferring fixed-marks tests, and PTE is easier if the candidate wishes to be tested and rewarded for their understanding of the language.
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