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Pearson Test of English General (PTE General) is a six-level general English test.
All levels of PTE General are recognised globally and are accepted by employers and national education authorities in many countries as evidence of a required level of English. The six levels of the test are provided in partnership with Edexcel Limited, the largest UK awarding body for academic and vocational qualifications.
Pearson Test of English General (PTE General) is designed to reward positive achievement in English language learning. PTE General integrates all four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing) and focuses on assessing the ability of communicating in English, rather than test-taking skills. The tasks in the test are a natural continuation of what happens in the classroom, giving test takers the opportunity to perform at their best.
PTE General consists of two parts: a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper tests listening, reading comprehension and writing skills and is marked by external examiners in the UK. The spoken test is assessed by trained local examiners and is sent to the UK for moderation. There are six levels which are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). All levels in the test are awarded by Edexcel and accredited by Ofqual in the UK. PTE General certificates do not expire. English language learners are encouraged to seek opportunities to practice the language and confirm their progress regularly.
Exam time: 1 hr 15 Speaking test: 5 mins Designed to be aligned with CEFR level A1 Who is it for? This test is for test takers with a beginner knowledge of English; sufficient for survival in social, travel and everyday situations. Test takers will be expected to understand very short, simple information and to express themselves simply and briefly, in speech and in writing. How is it structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level A1 Foundation the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters, such as home and shopping.
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (30-50 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (50-80 words) |
Exam time: 1 hr 35 mins Designed to be aligned with CEFR level A2 Who is it for? This test is for test takers with a beginner knowledge of English; sufficient for survival in social, travel and everyday situations. Test takers will be expected to understand very short, simple information and to express themselves simply and briefly, in speech and in writing. How is it structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 1 Foundation the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters such as hobbies, home, transport, and school.
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (30-50 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (50-80 words) |
Exam time: 1 hr 35 mins Designed to be aligned with CEFR level B1 Who is it for? This test is for test takers with intermediate English for practical use in study, work, travel and other everyday purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand and express in speaking, and writing information, ideas, feelings, opinions and common functions about everyday situations in straightforward spoken and written language. How is it structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 2 Intermediate the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters such as tourism, entertainment, travel, and education. About the test
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (70-80 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (100-150 words) |
Exam time: 2 hours DDesigned to be aligned with CEFR level B2 Who is it for? This test is for test takers with intermediate English for practical use in study, work, travel and other everyday purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand and express in speaking, and writing information, ideas, feelings, opinions and common functions about everyday situations in straightforward spoken and written language. How is it structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 2 Intermediate the theme tends to relate to familiar and routine matters, such as home and shopping.
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (70-90 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (100-150 words) |
This test is for test takers who are applying for higher education in an English speaking institution and/or are wishing to demonstrate an advanced level in English for social, academic and vocational purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand the explicit and implicit meaning of an extensive range of complex, written and spoken communication in social, academic and professional contexts, and to express experiences, opinions and attitudes accurately, appropriately, flexibly and effectively in the spoken and written form. How is this test structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 4 the theme tends to be quite abstract, such as global issues like pollution and conservation.
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (100-120 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (200-250 words) |
Designed to be aligned with CEFR level C2 Who is this test for? This test is for test takers who are applying for higher education in an English-speaking institution and/or are wishing to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English for social, academic and professional purposes. Test takers will be expected to understand stated and unstated functions and the explicit and implicit meaning of the content of written and spoken communication in a wide range of social, academic and professional contexts, and to express themselves in the spoken and written form effectively with a high degree of accuracy, appropriacy and style. How is this test structured? The test has a written paper and a spoken test. The written paper is divided into nine tasks which are linked to a theme. At Level 5 the theme tends to be quite abstract, such as global issues like pollution and conservation. Written test (2 hours and 55 minutes)
| Section | Skill | Description |
| 1 | Listening | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 2 | Listening and Writing | dictation |
| 3 | Listening | test, note completion |
| 4 | Reading | 3-option gap fill multiple choice |
| 5 | Reading | 3-option graphical multiple choice |
| 6 | Reading | open-ended question |
| 7 | Reading | text, note completion |
| 8 | Writing | write correspondence (150-200 words) |
| 9 | Writing | write text (250-300 words) |
When can I take it?
In May, June and December each year.
Please note, that registration starts one month earlier.
PTE General Level 5 (C2) is offered in May and December.