PTE Academic Test Day Information

PTE Academic is taken at a secure test centre, where you will need to show your ID, check in with the test administrator, and sit your test in a secure computer room.

1. Show your passport and sign in digitally.
2. Get your digital photograph taken.
3. Scan your palm digitally.

When you arrive at Navitas English Test Centre (NETC), our test administrator will request to see your valid passport, ask for a digital photograph and signature, scan your palm, assign you a locker to check-in your belongings, and ensure you are ready for your test.

Arrival time

You need to arrive at least 30 minutes before your test starting time to go through the check-in and security processes. Candidates who arrive after the exam appointment time cannot be admitted to the test.

You must bring acceptable ID, usually a passport. Click here for more information on the ID policy.

Most PTE Academic test centres have around 10 seats. You will be sitting in a private booth with other test takers around you. You may be able to hear your neighbours speak as they take their test, but you will be responding to slightly different questions.

How long is the test?

PTE Academic takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and is a computer based exam which assesses listening, reading, speaking and writing.

You will use a computer and headset to listen to, read and respond to questions.

During the two and a quarter hour test session there will be three main parts to the test: speaking and writing (together), reading and listening. There are twenty different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information.

PTE Academic assesses real-life, academic content, so you will hear excerpts from lectures and view graphs and charts. You will hear a range of accents in the test, from British and American to non-native speakers, so you will be exposed to the type of accents you will encounter in everyday life.

What can I bring into the test room?

• Passport
• Glasses

What can't I bring into the test room?

• Digital devices (mobile phones, iPods, digital watches, etc.)
• Analogue watch
• Jewellery larger than 0.5 cm
• Wallets and keys
• Jackets, scarves, gloves
• Baseball caps, beanies, hats or hoods
• Cases for pens or glasses
• Tissues or handkerchiefs
• Pieces of paper
• Highlighters, rulers and correction fluid
• Food or drink of any kind

All electronic devices (mobile phone, smart watch, tablet, laptop) must be switched off during the test. Please make sure you know how to switch them off before you arrive at the test centre.

Valuables

Navitas English Test Centre (NETC) will provide a locker to store your belongings for the duration of your PTE Academic test; however, NETC is not responsible for any loss or damages. We highly recommend leaving valuables at home.

See more details in the PTE Academic Test Taker Handbook: 

https://www.pearsonpte.com/test-taker-handbook