Duration of PTE Exam 2025: New Format, Updates, and Tips

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Shreya Pandey

Updated on

Jul 28,2025

Duration of PTE Exam: Complete Guide - TerraTern

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Do you know about the duration of PTE exam? When you are taking training in preparation to take the PTE Academic test in 2025, the question that might be on your mind is what is the PTE exam duration? Now that Pearson has updated certain sections, there is a greater necessity than before to know how long the PTE exam takes. We have first-hand experience in every aspect of this exam preparation and have put together, in this guidance, everything you need to know about this exam, changes in the exam, section-wise time tables, section-wise time management tips and a comparison with other English Proficiency exams.

What is the Duration of PTE Exam? (Latest 2025 Format)

Woman holding head in her hand; Duration of PTE Exam -  TerraTern

In 2025, the duration of PTE exam can take up to 2 hours and 15 minutes (or 135 minutes), which demonstrates the tendency of Pearson to simplify the test of English language and modernise. It is a rather significant change in comparison to the previous setup with the 2-hour format and is aimed to be a more convenient way of evaluating actual knowledge of English and to enhance test-taking satisfaction.

Summary of the Modified Timing Structure

There are three main divisions of the exam that deliver to distinct groups of skills in communication:

  • Speaking and writing: 54 - 67 minutes

  • Reading: 29-30mins

  • Listening: 30 to 43 minutes

This new plinth presents adaptive time windows in every section to compensate for differences between the complexity of questions and interactions of the test-takers.

Duration of PTE Exam  (Section-Wise Breakdown)

The duration of PTE exam is:

Section

Allocation of Time

Speaking & Writing

54 to 67 minutes

Reading

29 to 30 minutes

Listening

30 to 43 minutes 

Time of completion

2hrs 15 mins

Besides the adjustment of timing per section to reflect on the length of tasks, the timing has been revised to allow individual paces. The durations are well thought out and they are meant to reduce fatigue during the tests and to enable the candidates to express their ability at the same time.

What was the Rationale Behind Pearson Altering the Duration of PTE Exam in 2025?

In August 2025 new changes were implemented to the PTE test duration based on research and listening to candidates. The objectives of Pearson were to make the PTE more practical, relevant as well as conforming to the digital testing requirements. The most important ones are:

  • Introduction on the Real-World Speaking Tasks: Speaking section was introduced two new tasks, Respond to a situations and Summarize Group Discussion, in order to better assess language use in real life situation.

  • Razing of the Optional 10-Minute Break: The transition has been done away with between the Reading and the Listening sessions to facilitate efficiency in testing and prevention of flow interruption.

  • Removal of Optional 10-Minute Break: The transition has been done away with between the Reading and the Listening sessions to facilitate efficiency in testing and prevention of flow interruption.

  • Fewer Number of Questions:  The revision of the exam to cut the number of questions to 52-64 (less, yet more meaningful) has      led to prioritization of quality over quantity of exam.

  •  AI Grading with Human Touch: The 2025 format is based on the AI scoring technology with human validation to boost accuracy scores, particularly the speaking and writing dimensions.

  • Academic and immigration Correspondence: The test design has been modified to test the type of communication in the aspects of study, work and visa.

      Advantages of the New Format of Timing

  • More Efficiency in Time: Best suited to those working professionals and students who require a speedier certification.

  • Better Test Flow: Continuous testing lowers the chances that testees can get distracted and suffer re-entry anxiety.

  • Increased Score Reliability: Additional time spent on constructive activities and the reduced chances of getting distracted contribute to the more accurate assessment of the level of language knowledge.

PTE Exam Pattern: Types, Structure, and Updates (2025)

Two women writing in a class; Duration of PTE Exam - TerraTern

New PTE pattern in 2025 will have new kinds of tasks that are revised, reduced test time, and more fluent. This is how the exam gets organized:

1. Part One: Spoken & Writing

  • Running Time: 54- 67 minutes

  • New Tasks: React to the Situation, Give an Overview of Group Discussion

  • Conventional Work: Read aloud, repetition sentence, description of the picture, writing an essay

  • Skills Tested: Ability to pronounce, fluency, range of grammar, vocabulary and coherence

Example Tip: In case of Response to a Situation, it is recommended to come up with familiar everyday situations such as conversations at the workplace or debates at the university.

2. Part 2- Reading

  • Time: 29, 30 min

  • Task: Fill in the blanks, Re-arrange your own words, Mult-Choice Questions

  • Advice: Read first and get the idea then reshuffle or answer.

3. Section III- Listening

  • Time Duration: 30-43 min

  • Applications: Summarise Spoken Text, Multiple-Choice Questions and Dictation

  • Update 2025: Adaptive questioning with the introduction of real-life listening clips.

Is There a Break in the PTE Exam?

As of 2025, PTE exam has no interruption. Earlier, test-takers used to be offered an optional 10-minute break after Reading. Pearson, though, has eliminated this choice entirely in order to streamline and increase the continuity of the test process. What this implies is that the PTE Academic test starts, and will run uninterrupted till the 2 hours and 15 minutes are up. This reform is in line with the international standards of testing, and it lowers the logistical delays of test centres.

1. Interpretations of the Test-Takers

  • Constant Concentration: The candidates must be fit both in mind and body regarding the entire 135-minute session.

  • Time Management: Time plays a pivotal role in this format, as one does not even have time to take a break; thus, wise time management in each of the sections is a necessity.

  • Strategic Preparation: It is advisable to take full-length tests at one sitting to accrue stamina to prepare you well ahead of the examination.

2. Why Delete the Break?

  • Streamlined Experience: Streamline an experience that has constant testing, which is the most efficient with less downtime

  • Security Enhancement: Absence of the risk factors for breaches during the breaks.

  • Greater Fairness: Ensures that all of the candidates take the test in a similar manner across the world.

The update of this policy in 2025 has raised such questions as:

  • Will there be breaks in the PTE exam 2025? — No.

  • How many breaks are there in PTE exam new format? -- There is no.

Test-takers should, in a word, be ready to meet this change and, therefore, practice full-scale and concentrate on stamina in their PTE tailoring programme.

 Key Differences: PTE Examination Duration vs Other English Tests in 2025

The key differences between PTE exam duration vs other English tests are:

Test

Duration

Break Time

Computer-Based

The PTE Academic 2025

2h 15m

None

Yes

IELTS (Academic)

~2h 45m

Yes (10 mins)

Optional

TOEFL iBT

~3 hours

Yes (10 mins)

Yes

English Duolingo Test

1 hour

No

Yes

Insight: PTE provides the balance between thorough evaluation and little weariness.

How to Ace the Updated PTE Exam in Less Time? Latest Preparation Tips & Update

An overwhelmed man with trignometry and calculations in the background; Duration of PTE Exam - TerraTern

Since 2025, the PTE exam is streamlined and sped up, presenting no breaks and lasting only two hours and fifteen minutes in total. So preparation ought to be more efficient, not merely longer-winded. While this advice is good whether you’re new to exams or keen to raise your previous score, the tips will especially guide you through the pressure of the time-limited examination. This is how you can study the PTE Academic exam more efficiently and still safeguard your score:

1. Know the Updated Format Inside Out: Get acquainted with the updated 2025 framework and pay special attention to the fresh speaking tasks, namely Respond to a Situation and Summarise Group Discussion.

2. Undertake a full-length practice exam within a single session: Practice the authentic 135-minute non-break format. In turn, this strengthens your stamina and conditions your mind for the real exam atmosphere.

  • Dedicate Time Management Practice to Each Individual Section

  • Designate an allocated amount of time for every question or task.

  • Timers ought to be employed throughout practice sessions.

  • Pass over challenging items and go back to them later whenever necessary.

3. Start with the Highest Weight Tasks: Give special attention to tasks such as Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Summarise Spoken Text, and Essay Writing, as their scores account for a large portion of your total in this test.

4. Employ Technology-Driven Feedback Tools: Train with AI-enabled platforms that provide immediate performance insights, pronunciation metrics, and segmented improvement plans.

5. Cultivate Stamina and Clarity of Focus: Banish distractions while preparing and conditioning your mind for sustained, non-stop cognitive exertion of 2+ hours.

6. Formulate a Daily Micro-Study Plan: Segment your study into bite-sized intervals—spend about 30–45 minutes concentrating on a single skill—reading, listening, speaking, or writing.

7. Speedy Checklist of PTE Success in 2025: Keep this as a checklist of PTE 2025 study to be followed daily:

  • Study the latest forms of questions

  • Take care to take 3-5 full-length practice tests

  • Work on timer-based writing & speaking exercise

  • Speech recognition apps to be used for fluency

  • Make use of grammar and vocabulary flashcards

  • Get endurance from no breaks.

  • Identify areas of weakness and work on them on a weekly basis

  • Get Pearson news

Recent Updates & Facts about Duration of PTE Exam in 2025

The recent updates & facts about duration of PTE exam are:

Update

Description

Total Time

Have been stretched to two hours and fifteen minutes (135 minutes)

Break Time

There is no break anymore; a 10-minute optional break has been taken out of the exam.

New Speaking Tasks

  Respond to a Situation Summarise group discussion added

Adaptive Listening Section

Listening now has adaptive audio clips which are based on real-life scenarios

Number of Questions

Indexed to 52-64 total questions, making the test more to the point

Quicker Response 

Quicker than most of the competitors, the results were delivered in less than 48 hours

Scoring System Update

The way it scores is now AI and human moderation to make the scoring more accurate

These developments match the PTE Academic 2025 to the current trends in the sphere of computerised English proficiency testing, within which the process of evaluation is smarter, quicker, and more relevant.

Latest News, Facts, and Updates on Duration of PTE Exam

  • PTE Academic exam duration extended to 2 hours 15 minutes (effective Aug 2025).

  • Introduction of two new speaking tasks, extending the speaking section.

  • Removal of the optional 10-minute break — exam is continuous.

  • Total questions reduced to 52–64 to increase focus and precision.

  • AI scoring supported with human intervention for enhanced accuracy.

  • Global availability of Home Edition alongside test centres.

  • Faster result release within 48 hours.

  • New question formats mimic real-world English usage more closely.

  • PTE is accepted by over 3,000 universities and is widely accepted for immigration.

  • Bookings are flexible almost any day at numerous global centres.

 Conclusion

Acquaintance with PTE exam duration is vital to every learner of the examination in 2025. Having eliminated the break, added new types of questions, and streamlined the format, the most significant part is the strategic preparation. Keep abreast, do study drills, and refer to reliable sources. Hope this blog helped you figure out duration of pte exam, what is the duration of pte exam, and more.

To learn more about the PTE exam and to know which test to take for which country, contact TerraTern right away!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of PTE Academic results availability in 2025?

The result is usually availed after 48 hours following the completion of the test.

Can they take a break during the PTE Academic test?

No, the 2025 form of PTE does not have a break. The choice of 10 minute break is eliminated.

What are the new questions in the PTE exam after August 2025?

In the speaking part, there were introduced two new tasks Respond to a Situation and Summarize Group Discussion.

Is increased time a factor of scoring?

No, it is still performance-based. The form in the new design facilitates the accuracy of the scoring through AI and human marking.

In case I do not feel satisfied with the way I did it, can I take the test again?

Yes, you can retake the test as many time as you want. Reservation is flexible and accommodated everywhere.