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Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Information on taking the Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam in Ottawa and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying in Ottawa.
Ottawa
Ontario |
Understanding the Pearson (PTE) Academic Exam
The Pearson Test of English PTE Academic exam is becoming more accepted among universities. Three important ones in Canada are Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, McGill, Concordia and Trent but there are a number of others and I expect the list to grow as Universities begin to break the TOEFL IELTS monopoly. If these are the universities you are planning to go to consider this as an option. It is also being accepted at many famous universities in the US such as Harvard, Stanford and Yale as well as some leading business schools
PTE is a computer based test that was developed by Pearson Language Tests, a unit of the Pearson PLC group, and is one of a number of tests created by the organization. It derives from the big Pearson Education group that publishes all those educational textbooks. It is far better known in other countries and seems to be slow for acceptance in North America for undergraduate entry.It is a computer-based exam, focusing on real-life English in academic situatins. It is similar to CAEL in that it uses integrated language but unlike CAEL and CanTEST, students listen to a variety of accents and academic language, not just Canadian accents and Canadian academic surroundings.
The test will be a maximum of 3 hours long and takers get their results online within 5 working days.
Test scores are reported on the Global Scale of English, from 10 to 90
What are some of PTE advantages over the others?
1. One big advantage of the test is the speed that results are given. While any standardized tests take week. You can get the PTE results in 5 days. Is this important? Well, if you are needing a fast test before submitting your application, this feature could be a life saver.
2. Like CAEL and CanTEST, the tests uses more authentic university type Englsih than the often fake sounding listening passages of IELTS and TOEFL. If you are not used to the Canadian accent this test might be better since it uses a variety of accents
3. Like CAEL and TOEFL, the test is integrated meaning that parts of it make use of listening and reading to produce output. This avoids being asked to speak on topics where you have no background.
4. Unlike CAEL and CanTEST, Pearson is a well established testing organization worldwide so it has had more time to improve itself.
5. Test takers can send their scores to as many institutions without paying an additional fee.
6. Many of the speaking and reading tests are quite straightforward and for a person with reasonable proficiency, should not pose as a problem especially if trained to summarize.
7. The website is probably the easiest to use and access information.
8. The reading section is a bit shorter than others (32-41 minutes)
9. The reading exam does give a variety of styles, rather than only multiple choice questions but at the same time it is not so related to spelling
Disadvantages of PTE
1. Unlike CAEL and CanTEST, Pearson is an expensive test at $300 per test.
2. Like TOEFL and CAEL, the test is computer done.
3. There is no face to face oral interview.
4. It is hard to find library books on the PTE or tutors in North America who know anything about it
5. Preparation time for speaking is quite rushed and parts of the speaking test seem to favour those with a better memory rather than better speaking skill
6. The first task of the writing is a bit hard to know how the examiner wants you to summarize. With training this can be overcome.
7. The writing essay is quite rushed at 20 minutes and gives no background the the topic.
8. PTE has a long and somewhat strange listening test that is also a kind of writing and grammar test in some areas (45-57 minutes)
9. The scoring system is automated which tends to favour conformity in your answers.
2. Like TOEFL and CAEL, the test is computer done.
3. There is no face to face oral interview.
4. It is hard to find library books on the PTE or tutors in North America who know anything about it
5. Preparation time for speaking is quite rushed and parts of the speaking test seem to favour those with a better memory rather than better speaking skill
6. The first task of the writing is a bit hard to know how the examiner wants you to summarize. With training this can be overcome.
7. The writing essay is quite rushed at 20 minutes and gives no background the the topic.
8. PTE has a long and somewhat strange listening test that is also a kind of writing and grammar test in some areas (45-57 minutes)
9. The scoring system is automated which tends to favour conformity in your answers.
Parts of the Pearson (PTE) Academic test
All f the following below can be seen at the Pearson official website under format.
Under each test press the "Learn More" buttons and it will walk you through the test part by part. I will summarize it all for the busy person that does not want to do so much clicking.
Part 1: Speaking & Writing (77 – 93 minutes)
Speaking
Under each test press the "Learn More" buttons and it will walk you through the test part by part. I will summarize it all for the busy person that does not want to do so much clicking.
Part 1: Speaking & Writing (77 – 93 minutes)
Speaking
- Personal introduction 25 second to prepare 30 seconds to speak
- Read aloud a text 30-40 seconds to prepare, length of the reading depends on you
- Repeat sentence 3-9 second sentence 15 seconds
- Describe image 25 seconds to prepare 40 seconds to answer
- Re-tell lecture 90 seconds 10 seconds to prepare 40 seconds to answer
- Answer short question 3-9 seconds to prepare 10 seconds to answer
- Summarize written text 300 word text (10 minutes)
- Essay (20 minutes)
Part 2: Reading (32 – 41 minutes)
Part 2: Reading (32 – 41 minutes)
- Multiple Choice single answer 110 word text
- Multiple choice questions multiple answers 300 word passage
- Re-order paragraphs 150 word answer
- Fill in the blanks 80 word passage
- Reading and Writing Fill in the blanks 80 word passage
Part 3: Listening (45 – 57 minutes)
1. Summarize spoken text 60-90 second listening 50 -70 word summary 10 minutes
2. Multiple choice questions 40-90 second recording
3. Listening & Writing: Fill the blanks 30-60 second listening passage
4. Highlight the correct summary 30-90 second listening
5. Multiple choice questions: single answer 30-90 second listening
6. Select missing word 20-70 second listening
7. Highlight incorrect words 15-50 second recoding
8. Write from dictation 3-5 second sentence
The PTE exam score
All items in PTE Academic are machine scored. This is a rather controversial aspect for some items since one wonders how it determines quality.
There are two types of scoring: correct or incorrect, and partial scoring.
Correct or incorrect: If correct, a score of 1 score point will be given, but if incorrect, no score
Partial credit : if they are partly correct, some score points will be given, but less than the maximum available for the item type. If responses are incorrect, no score points will be received.
If you would like a much more detailed account of the scoring system for each individual part go to official website scoring guide PDF
PTE Academic Score
76 - 84.
59 - 75 [This is typically the pass rate for most universities] [McGill expects a score of 65 or better]
43 - 58
36 – 42
30 - 42
10 - 29
There are two types of scoring: correct or incorrect, and partial scoring.
Correct or incorrect: If correct, a score of 1 score point will be given, but if incorrect, no score
Partial credit : if they are partly correct, some score points will be given, but less than the maximum available for the item type. If responses are incorrect, no score points will be received.
If you would like a much more detailed account of the scoring system for each individual part go to official website scoring guide PDF
PTE Academic Score
76 - 84.
59 - 75 [This is typically the pass rate for most universities] [McGill expects a score of 65 or better]
43 - 58
36 – 42
30 - 42
10 - 29
PTE Tutor Needed?
If you would like to prepare with a tutor before registering for PTE contact the PTE Tutor Ottawa Gatineau page. If you would like to book a visit on our registration page , you may fill out a form or emailing us directly at [email protected]. You can call us at 613-447- 1622 to check if a time is open.
