PTE (PEARSON TEST OF ENGLISH) COURSE IN AMRITSAR

PTE is Pearson Test of English. The reference here is to PTE (Academic Test). It is different from PTE (General). It consists of six tests at different levels (A1, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) designed to assess general English language proficiency. Both the test types are intended for test takers who are speakers of other languages (ESOL).

Like IELTS and TOEFL, PTE (Academic) is designed to assess the English language skill of candidates who want to study in an English Speaking Country. However, PTE is different from IELTS and TOEFL in several important respects.

• First and foremost, unlike IETLS but like TOEFL, PTE is an online internet based test.
• More importantly, PTE is totally free of human intervention; it is a Computer-based Computer-assessed test.
• All the items in PTE (Academic) are machine scored.
• In a way, PTE is the new age language ability test that is free of any cultural or native skill bias.
• An indirect but equally important benefit of the computer-based computer-assessed interface of PTE (Academic) is that the assessment is instantaneous.
• The result can be made available to the student immediately after the test.
• Unlike IELTS and TOEFL that assess the test-taker for communicative skills only (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing), PTE also assesses the test-taker for enabling skills (Grammar, Oral, Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary, Written Discourse). Apart from the composite score, PTE (Academic) rates the test taker separately on each of these parameters (4+6), to a Scale of 10-90.

COMPARISON OF IELTS/TOEFL/PTE SCORES

PTE (ACADEMIC) STRUCTURE

There are three parts as below that are separately timed:

• Speaking and Writing
• Reading (Optional Break)
• Listening

The test structure can be represented by a brief graphical outline as shown below:

PTE SCORE

PTE (Academic) provides the taker composite or overall score as well as a separate score for each of the communicative and enabling skills.

OVERALL SCORE

The composite score is based on the test taker’s performance on all test items (70–91 items of 20 different types). The score given for each item contributes to the overall score. The score range, for each parameter as well as overall, is 10–90 points.

COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS SCORES

The communicative skills measured are listening, reading, speaking and writing. Items testing these communicative skills also test specific enabling skills. For items integrating various communicative skills, the score contributes to such different communicative skills are involved. The score range for each skill is 10 – 90.

ENABLING SKILLS SCORE

The enabling skills—grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and written discourse—are tested in related assessment items in speaking and writing. The score range for each skill is 10 – 90 points. No enabling skills score is awarded if the response for the related item is inappropriate in content or form. An essay write-up unrelated to the topic assigned, for example, will earn no score, even for the related enabling skills. In relation to form, if a task requires a one-sentence summary of a text and the response consists of a list of words, no score points for the response will be given.

TWO TYPES OF SCORING IN PTE

There are two types of question items, and hence, two types of scores in PTE:

• Correct/Incorrect Items (Full credit or zero credit)
• Partial Credit Items (Correct/Partially Correct/Incorrect)
  The score for these items is based on
  • Correctness
  • Formal aspects (e.g., word limit)
  • Quality of response (assessment of enabling skills)

ESSAY SCORING SYSTEM

• First Check Point: 
  Content: If score is 0 (no response or irrelevant response), no other aspect is checked and overall essay score is 0.
• Second Check Point: 
  From: (If a score is received for content) 
  Appropriate length of essay: If score is 0 (much below or much above the word limit), no rating is done on vocabulary, spelling, grammar; development, structure, coherence, and general linguistic range.
• Third Check Point: 
  Enabling Skills: Score for content, form and enabling skills add up to the total essay score.

  MAXIMIZING YOUR SCORE WITH MACHINE BASED SCORING SYSTEM

  Since the entire scoring system is machine-based (no human touch at any stage). It is essential to keep note of small details so as to avoid being penalized for any small deviation from prescribed norms. Such precautionary advice is given question-wise in the following chapters.

  IS THERE ANY NEGATIVE MARKING IN PTE?

  There is no negative marking in PTE (Academic) except in ‘Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer’ and ‘Highlight Incorrect Words’ questions. So, for all the questions, except the two types as mentioned above, don’t leave a question unanswered even if you have to guess.
  In ‘Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer’ and in ‘Highlight Incorrect words’ questions, how-ever, you need to be careful. Your score is i for each correct option selected and (-) 1 for each incorrect option selected.

  ON THE TEST DAY

  Reach the designated PTE test center at least 30 minutes in advance, so as to pass security and get the documentation/check-in done. You need to bring only the acceptable ID. On arriving at the test center, you need to check-in with the test administrator.
  • You need to show your ID and ‘sign in’ digitally.
  • You get your digital photograph taken.
  • You also get your palm digitally scanned.
  The test administrator then assigns a locker to check-in your belongings. No papers are allowed inside except the documents required. You are now ready to take your assigned seat in a secure cabin.

  HOW IS THE TEST CONDUCTED?

  You are also allowed time for equipment check. There is an untimed test introduction at the start that tells you what to expect in the test. The test takes approximately three hours to complete, including an untimed Personal Introduction and an optional break of up to 10 minutes. There are three timed parts, consisting of Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening, each of which will have a number of question types and a number of items under each question type.

  FAQS

  WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY COMPUTER DURING THE TEST?

  Raise your hand and tell the test administrator. They will do whatever they can to help and will ensure the problem is recorded and reported. Make sure you tell the test administrator about any problem you feel affect your ability to complete the test.

  CAN I TAKE NOTES DURING THE TEST?

  You are given an erasable notepad (about 5 sheets of A4 paper). If you run out of space, you can ask for another notepad. Ensure that the pen given to you is also working properly.

  CAN I CORRECT MY ANSWER DURING THE TEST?

  For other than spoken response—yes; but this should be before you move on to the next item. You can correct multiple-choice responses (click again to deselect your answer) and typed responses (use the cut, copy and paste option). For spoken responses, you can correct yourself in the same breath. But you cannot re-record any spoken response afterwards. The microphone will switch off automatically if you are silent for more than 3 seconds during an answer.

  AM I PENALIZED FOR WRONG ANSWER?

  For most question types, there is no negative marking. So you must not leave a question even if you have to guess. However, for ‘multiple-choice, choose multiple answer’ and for highlight incorrect words’, there is indeed penalty for wrong option selected. So, you need to be more careful here.

  ARE ALL COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS SCORE (E.G. READING, WRITING) WEIGHTED EQUALLY?

  Yes all the score in PTE (Academic) are presented on a scale of 90. There is a composite or overall score in the range 10-90. Then there is a score for each of the communicative skills (Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening) and each of the Enabling skills (Grammar, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary and Writing Discourse), again in the range 10 – 90.

  HOW LONG IS MY SCORE REPORT VALID?

  Your score is valid and available online for two years.

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