What to expect on the day of your PTE test

ɫèAV Languages
Teenager studying with open books on his bed

Reading time: 6.5 minutes

Embarking on the journey of taking the ɫèAV Test of English (PTE) can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if it's a pivotal moment in your study abroad journey or a step towards a career and even permanent residency in an English-speaking country. This comprehensive post is designed to guide you through the entire process, from the moment you decide to take the PTE test to the day you actually sit for it, ensuring a worry-free and breezy experience from start to finish.

With our detailed walkthrough, you can approach the test with confidence, a sense of preparedness and a calm mind. We'll cover everything you need to know, from what to bring, where to leave your belongings and what to expect. So that when the test day arrives, you can focus on passing your English test and not worry about the small things.

What to expect on the day of your PTE test
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ɫèAV can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Preparation begins at home

Before leaving the comfort of your home, it's essential to ensure that you have everything in order. This includes checking that the name on your application matches exactly with the one on your valid passport – no nicknames or abbreviations.

Double-check the date, time and location of the test. To avoid any last-minute rush, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled test time. Remember, all you need is a valid passport, your confirmation email, and a positive mindset to tackle the test ahead.

Arriving at the test center

Arriving early is not just about punctuality; it sets the tone for a calm and focused test-taking experience. It allows you time to take a few deep breaths, gather your thoughts, and mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.

The PTE is meticulously designed to consider every detail, allowing your own English language proficiency skills to shine through effortlessly, without the distractions of logistical concerns.

Security measures

The first step at the test center involves confirming your identity with a valid passport. A quick and secure palm scan follows, ensuring the integrity of the testing process and that only you can take the test for yourself.

If you have a hand injury or condition that prevents the palm vein scan, it's advisable to contact customer care in advance for alternative arrangements, so there are no surprises on test day.

Securing personal items

Watches, wallets, phones and other smart devices should be securely stored in lockers outside the testing room. This precaution ensures a distraction-free and secure testing environment, allowing you to focus solely on the test questions without worrying about the safety of your belongings.

Pre-test checks

Before you enter the test room, there is a check to make sure you aren’t carrying any prohibited items. The administrators will ask to see you aren’t concealing anything; they might ask to see the inside of your pockets or up your sleeves, for example, asking you to pat yourself down to show you aren’t hiding anything.Ìý

Our security checks are no contact, so rest assured the administrators will treat you with respect and dignity. If you wear glasses they will also be checked (also with no physical contact).

Inside the test room

Once inside the test room, you'll find a comfortable booth equipped with everything you need — a computer, keyboard, audio headset and an erasable booklet with two pens. The layout of the room is designed to minimize distractions.

Don't worry about others around you speaking; the microphones are intelligent and only pick up your voice during the speaking section, ensuring your responses are clear and undisturbed.

Taking the test

The PTE exam covers four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Each section is carefully designed to assess your command of the English language in diverse contexts.

The Reading section evaluates your ability to understand written information, while the Writing section tests your skills in composing coherent and structured text.

The Listening section measures your capacity to interpret and analyze spoken messages, and the Speaking section gauges your proficiency in verbal communication. Together, these sections provide a comprehensive evaluation of your English language abilities in both academic and real-world settings.

A friendly invigilator's presence

You're not alone in this journey. A friendly invigilator is there to assist you if needed. Feel free to raise your hand if you find yourself stuck or require assistance. The invigilator ensures that everything runs smoothly, maintaining a stress-free testing environment, and is there to answer any procedural questions you might have.

They are the unsung heroes of the testing process, vigilantly overseeing the room with a keen eye to ensure fairness and order, all while providing a reassuring presence that can ease the nerves of even the most anxious test-takers.

Exiting the test room

Upon completing the test, a simple hand raise signals the end of your testing session. The test invigilator will assist you in exiting the test room. You can leave the test center with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've done your best.

What happens next?

After the test is complete, you'll be guided by the invigilator to exit the test room. You will then proceed to the locker area to retrieve your personal belongings. It's important to ensure you have all your items before leaving the test center. Once everything is collected, you can leave the premises.

Post-test reflections

Stepping out of the test center, you might experience a mix of relief and anticipation. The weight of the PTE exam is now a memory, and the immediate sense of freedom can be both exhilarating and nerve-racking. It's natural to reflect on the questions and your performance. You may find yourself replaying certain moments or wondering if you could have articulated your thoughts more clearly in the speaking section or if you caught all the nuances in the listening section.

Try to relax and avoid post-exam analysis, as it won't change the outcome. Instead, focus on the effort you've put in and give yourself credit for completing the test. It's a good moment to take a deep breath and appreciate that you've taken a significant step forward in your academic or professional journey. Now, the wait for the results begins, but remember, this period of anticipation is also a time to unwind and treat yourself after the hard work and preparation you've dedicated to this challenge.

Waiting for the results

The PTE test results are typically available within 48 hours, allowing you to get back to your routine with minimal delay. You will receive an email notification once the scores are ready to be viewed. Log in to your PTE account to access your test score report. The report will detail your scores for each section, along with an overall score.

What to do if you have concerns

If you have any concerns about the test process or your results, reach out to the . They can provide guidance and address any issues you may have.

Planning your next steps

With your results in hand, you can proceed with your study abroad applications for educational institutions, visa processes, or job applications that require proof of English language proficiency. If your score doesn't meet the requirements, you can always prepare and retake the test.

Remember to celebrate the completion of your PTE test, regardless of the outcome. It's a significant milestone in your English language learning journey.

Frequently asked questions

Q: How early should I arrive at the test center? A: It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled test time to complete the necessary pre-test procedures.

Q: What kind of identification is accepted? A: A valid passport is the only accepted form of identification accepted at the PTE test centers.

Q: Can I bring my own stationery? A: No, the test center will provide you with an erasable booklet and pens for note-taking and writing on during the test.

Q: What happens if I arrive late to the test center? A: Late arrival may result in not being allowed to take the test, and you may need to reschedule your tests for another time.

Q: What should I do if I need assistance during the test? A: If you require assistance at any point during the test, raise your hand, and an invigilator will help you.

Q: Can I take a break during the test? A: There are no scheduled breaks during the PTE test. If an unscheduled break is needed, you must raise your hand and ask the invigilator. However, the test clock will not stop.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of times I can attempt the PTE test? A: You may take the PTE test as many times as you feel necessary to achieve your desired score. However, you must wait to receive your scores from one attempt before scheduling the next one.

Q: What happens if I cancel before my test? A: If you have chosen NOT to attend your PTE exam after booking the test online, you will receive a refund within 14 days of your scheduled test time. Applicants who have not yet taken the exam within 15 calendar days will receive a 50% refund on the payment of the exam fee. However, a cancellation of a scheduled test will not result in a refund.

Why choose PTE?

PTE is regarded as an essential visa-processing tool for governments around the globe. With its rigorous and precise testing methodology, it is recognized for its high standards and trusted results. Countries such as New Zealand and the UK are all accepting PTE scores for work visas, acknowledging the exam's credibility in assessing English language proficiency.

If you have any other questions or want to learn more, make sure to check out the link below. You can also watch the video of "".Ìý

Find more out about PTE

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • A teacher leaning on a table where students are working on various activities

    6 tips for planning your first English classes

    By Nicole Kyriacou

    You are nervous, yet excited. You want to appear relaxed and fun, but still be taken seriously. Most of all, you are keen to make an excellent first impression.

    With all that in mind - planning your first English classes of the year can be a daunting experience.

    Here are six things to consider when planning your first classes:

    1. Set clear aims

    Whether you are teaching young learners, teenagers or adults, it’s important you discuss the aims and objectives of the course from day one. You’ll need to learn more about your students' needs to do this. Why are they learning English? Do they want to prepare for an official exam? What activities do they enjoy? What things do they need to improve the most?

    The way you do this will depend on the age of your learners. For example, with adults and teens, you could get them to interview each other and write a report about what they found out. With younger children, do a survey they can complete using smiley faces.

    2. Find out students’ interests

    Although you should understand your students' needs and why they want to learn English - to help make your classes relevant and engaging - you should also discover what they enjoy doing outside of class.

    To do this, get students to write mini bios you can stick around the classroom. Or have them prepare presentations where they share something they are passionate about with the rest of the class - using coursebooks. As a class, go through the contents page, vote on which topics students find most interesting, and start with those.

    3. Break the ice

    You want your first class to be fun so that students are motivated, and associate English language learning with something they can enjoy. Ice-breakers can also be an excellent way to get to know each other and learn about your students' current level of English.

    Activities where students have to ask each other questions work well.

    4. Provide a comfortable environment

    Young learners and teenagers tend to be shy at the start of a course - especially if they don’t know each other. Develop a rapport and break down boundaries by including team-building activities in your first class.ÌýYour aim is to have all the students feeling more comfortable with each other before the end of the lesson so that there are no awkward silences in future lessons.

    5. Manage expectations

    Managing expectations is an essential part of a teacher's job. Make sure in the first class you are clear about what you expect from your students and what they can expect from you.

    Have students brainstorm the rules for the class and then make a big poster or ‘class contract’ which all students have to sign. Display the poster on the wall so you can always refer to it if someone misbehaves.

    Try to keep the rules as positive as possible. Instead of writing: 'Don’t speak your first language', write: 'Try to always speak English and ask if you don’t know a word'. If you are feeling really brave, you can even get your students to devise a list of rules for you which you can display on the wall next to theirs.

    6. Make it challenging

    It’s great making your first lesson fun - but there’s nothing more motivating than leaving a new class and feeling like you’ve made a good decision and you are going to learn lots (and you aren’t wasting your time or money). This is especially important for adult learners.

    So, as well as getting to know each other and finding out their needs, teach them something new. This could be 10 new pieces of vocabulary, how to structure a letter or report, or a list of resources they can use at home to practice their English.