The PTE academic reading section is the second component of the exam in which the reading skills are evaluated. These skills include pronunciation, reading comprehension, clarity of speech, tone, vocabulary, grammar, etc. It assesses how well a test taker is able to read the academic content.
Since the scoring is AI-based, there is no chance of any kind of impartiality. In this blog, we have discussed the PTE academic reading section, along with their question types, format, marking system, and preparation tips.
Table of Contents
PTE Academic Reading Section: An Overview
- The PTE Academic exam consists of 53-74 questions across 20 different question types in the speaking and writing, reading, and listening sections.
- The reading part of the PTE academic test remains the same for both home and test centre formats.
- They have similar structures and difficulty levels, too.
- The reading section is 29-30 minutes long and includes 5 questions/types.
- Below, we have tabulated the features of the PTE academic reading section.
| Features | PTE Academic Reading Section |
|---|---|
| Types of Questions | 5 |
| Total Questions | Varies depending on the difficulty level and progress of the test taker |
| Time Duration | 29-30 Minutes |
| Text Sources | Academic journals University level textbooks Research papers |
Pattern of PTE Academic Reading Section
- The reading section is the second component of the PTE Academic test, and it evaluates the test taker’s ability to read various types of academic texts.
- It contains 5 different question types of various difficulty levels
- It uses the English that test takers might read in an academic environment.
- The time duration allowed to complete this section is 29-30 minutes.
| Question/Task Type | Task | Skill Assessed | Prompt Length | Time Duration to Respond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks | Choose words to fill in the gaps | Reading & Writing | 300 words | Not applicable |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | Select more than a response to answer MCQ | Reading | 300 words | Not Applicable |
| Re-order Paragraphs | Put the text boxes in the correct order | Reading | 150 words | Not Applicable |
| Fill in the blanks | Drag words from the box below to fill the gaps | Reading | 80 words | Not Applicable |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | Select one response to answer MCQ | Listening & Speaking | 300 words | Not Applicable |
How to Answer Questions in the PTE Academic Reading Section?
Below, we have discussed the ways in which PTE academic test takers can respond to various types of tasks in the reading section.
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
- A text with several gaps is provided
- Choose words from the dropdown menu to fill in the blanks.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer
- For this, test takers will read a passage
- A fixed set of questions will be provided
- They need to select all the correct response options by mouse
Re-Order Paragraphs
- In this, test takers need to restore the original order of the text by selecting text boxes in the right way.
Fill in the Blanks
- A passage with some missing words is providing
- Test takers have a list of words to use them to fill the gaps
- They need to choose the word to fill in the blanks
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
- Test takers are required to read the passage and answer the multiple-choice question.
- There are multiple options, but only one is correct.
What Skills Are Evaluated in the PTE Academic Reading Section?
As mentioned above, the PTE academic reading section analyses the test taker’s ability to read academic texts and comprehend their meaning. It also evaluates the following skills.
- Understanding main ideas and details, such as the central theme of a passage
- Recognising key supportive facts and details
- Drawing conclusions and making inferences
- Determining the meaning of unfamiliar words
- Understanding the author’s tone and intent
- Identifying connections across different parts of the passage
- Ability to summarise key facts
General Strategies to Answer PTE Academic Reading Questions
Following are the general strategies to answer the PTE Academic Reading questions.
- Make yourself aware of the pattern, format, and types of the PTE academic reading section questions.
- Go through the instructions given in the exam
- Read academic and news articles frequently.
- Practice picking out main points, summarising information, and answering comprehension questions.
- Practise completing tasks within the time given for the reading section.
- Develop strategies to ensure you can easily attempt all the questions.
- Regularly practice with official PTE mock tests. Smart Academy also provides you with seamless access to these practice tests.
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The reading section of the PTE exam assesses how well a test taker can understand and comprehend written academic materials. PTE Academic is an integrated skills test, which means that this section evaluates all of the communication skills at a time, e.g., listening, writing, speaking, and reading. Test takers can make themselves habituated to reading English newspapers, magazines, and long-form articles to enhance their reading skills.
FAQs
What are the question types in the PTE academic reading section?
There are 5 question types in the PTE academic listening section. These are reading and writing: fill in the blanks, multiple choice multiple answers, re-order paragraphs, fill in the blanks, and multiple choice single answer.
How can I practice reading part of the PTE academic test?
You can enroll in the PTE prep courses offered by Smart Academy, where you will get access to the official test materials for preparation, including personalised study plans, guidance from experienced tutors, and mock tests.
How many questions are there in the PTE academic reading section?
There is no specified number of questions in the PTE academic reading section because it differs depending on the test taker and the format of the test. However, test takers can expect to face around 15-20 questions.
How to register for the PTE exam?
To register for the PTE exam, you can visit its official website, where you can register and make payment. After this, you will be required to select the test centre, location, and time to schedule the test.
What PTE score is required by UK universities?
Depending on the university and course, the PTE requirements for UK universities might vary. For undergraduate programs, a score of 50-60 is considered good, while for master’s degree courses, a score between 55-60 is generally acceptable.
