February 2020

PTE General PEARSON ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE

Teacher training guide (Levels C1-C2)

Version 1.0, April 2020

PTE General is becoming the Pearson English International Certificate

In 2020 the PTE General exam will be renamed

the Pearson English International Certificate.

The new name will begin appearing on test

papers and certificates as of December 2020.

Teacher Training Guide

This online module will help you to acquire overall knowledge of

the PTE General/Pearson English International Certificate test,

along with item types of each section so you can help your

students prepare for the exam.

This module has twelve sections:

1. Getting to know the written test

2. Getting to know the speaking test

3. Section 1: Listening

4. Section 2: Listening & Writing

5. Section 3: Listening

6. Section 4: Reading

7. Section 5: Reading

8. Section 6: Reading

9. Section 7: Reading

10. Section 8: Writing

11. Section 9: Writing

12. Final Quiz & Further Information

Agenda

What to expect

You’ll see explanations with

examples for each section of

the test at levels C1 & C2.

At the conclusion of this guide

you’ll be given a final quiz and

awarded a certificate upon

successful completion.

Getting to know the written test

• PTE General/Pearson English International Certificate is designed to reward positive achievement in English language learning

• The test consists of two parts: a written paper and a speaking test in the form of an interview

• There are six levels

• The writing paper tests listening, reading comprehension and writing skills

Length of the test

Exam Level Written test time Oral/Speaking test time

Foundation (A1) One hour, 15 minutes 5 minutes

Level 1 (A2) One hour, 35 minutes 5 minutes

Level 2 (B1) One hour, 35 minutes 7 minutes

Level 3 (B2) Two hours 7 minutes

Level 4 (C1) Two hours, 30 minutes 8 minutes

Level 5 (C2) Two hours, 55 minutes 8 minutes

Section Skills Item Types Objectives (assess ability to) Score Points

1 Listening 3 option multiple choice Understand the gist of short-spoken utterances 10

2Listening &

WritingDictation

Understand a short utterance by transcribing a spoken text

5 listening5 writing

3 Listening Test, note completion Extract specific information from spoken texts 10

4 ReadingGap fill 3 option multiple

choiceUnderstand the purpose, structure and main idea

of short written texts5

5 Reading3 option (graphical)

multiple choice Understand the main detail in written texts 5

6 Reading Open-ended question Understand the main point of short written texts 8

7 Reading Text, note completion Extract specific information from a written text 7

8 Writing Write correspondenceWrite a short piece of correspondence (Level C1:

120~150 words, Level C2: 150~200 words)10

9 Writing Write textWrite a short text (Level C1: 200~250 words, Level

C2: 250~300 words)10

Total: 75

Written test item types

PTE General/Pearson English International Certificate - Test Bank

• This test is one of only a few qualifications that uses an item bank process

• Items are written, scrutinised and reviewed prior to acceptance to the item bank

• Item banking allows the content team to selectively compile questions at varying

difficulty levels for test papers

• Each paper is a new combination of items, for each series

• The item bank is protected for future iterations of papers

o it’s not common for us to release past papers as a result

How the test is created, new each time

The individual sections of the guide present a detailed description of the

item type within each section of the written test highlighting when there

are differences between each level (C1 & C2) of the test.

This includes what it tests, what test takers have to do and an example

from a level of the test.

More detailed information such as the item type stimulus information

and details on scoring for each level of the written test can be found on

the written test guide online at:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/pearson-test-of-

english/pte-general-guides/score-guide.pdf

Getting to know the written test

Getting to know the speaking test

The speaking test consists of a

face-to-face conversation

between the interlocutor and candidate

One-to-one conversation

The time limit for each section is given in the speaking test paper.

The total time limit depends on level, as follows:

Level Duration

A1 5 mins

A2 5 mins

B1 7 mins

B2 7 mins

C1 (Level 4) 8 mins

C2 (Level 5) 8 mins

Getting to know the test

LevelSection 10:Personal

information

Section 11:Not tested at

A1 and A2

Section 12:Describe a

picture

Section 13:Role play

A1 & A2 1.5 mins n/a 2 mins 1.5 mins

B1 & B2 1.5 mins 2 mins 1.5 mins 2 mins

C1 & C2 2 mins 2 mins 2 mins 2 mins

Review what the time limits are for the sections of the test and practice

with your students to help them learn to speak on their own for as long

as they can (within the time limit):

Help your students prepare

The speaking test consists of three or four sections depending

on the level. Sections 10 to 13 of the test are the speaking parts.

Section 10: Personal Information

Test taker speaks about matters of personal information

and interest.

Section 11: Discussion (not tested at levels A1 and A2)

The test taker engages in a discussion with the

interlocutor.

Section 12: Describe Picture

The test taker has to respond to a visual.

Section 13: Role Play

The test taker conducts a conversation with the

interlocutor with specific roles and a situation.

Speaking test sections

Section 10: Personal Information

Test taker speaks about matters of personal information and interest.

C1

Personal Information: Sustained Monologue

Section 11: Discussion (not tested at levels A1 and A2)

Test taker engages in a discussion with the interlocutor.

Discussion

C2

Section 12: Describe Picture

The test taker has to respond

to a visual.

Describe a PictureC1

Section 13: Role Play

The test taker takes part

in a conversation with the

interlocutor with specific

roles and a situation.

Role PlayC2

View an example of a speaking test at level C2

Level C2

Getting to know the test

Select those that are FALSE.

1. There are eight sections in the written exam.

2. There are six levels in the exam.

3. The writing paper tests listening, reading comprehension and writing

skills.

4. PTE General will be known as the Pearson English International

Certificate as of December 2020

5. There are 4 sections in the speaking test at levels C1 & C2

Quick Quiz

Quick Quiz

Select those that are FALSE.

× There are eight sections in the written exam. FALSE. There are nine sections

✓ There are six levels in the PTE General exam. (A1, A2, B1. B2, C1, C2)

✓ The writing paper tests listening, reading comprehension and writing skills.

✓ PTE General will be known as the Pearson English International Certificate as

of December 2020

✓ There are 4 sections in the speaking test at levels C1 & C2

Getting to know the Written Test

Section 1: Listening

Section 1 comprises a 3-option multiple-choice item type. It assess

listening skills. It tests ability to understand the gist of short-spoken

utterances.

Section 1: Listening

In levels C1 & C2, test takers

listen once to ten short

recordings, either

monologues or dialogues,

and answer a single 3-option

multiple choice question or

complete a sentence for

each. There are ten

questions to answer or

sentences to complete; one

per recording.

Section 1: ListeningC1

Section 1: ListeningC1

Section 2: Listening and

Writing

Section 2 comprises a Dictation item type. It assess listening and writing skills.

It tests ability to understand a short utterance by transcribing a spoken text.

This is different from other exams who do not include dictation as an item type

Section 2: Listening and Writing

Test takers listen to one person speaking and write exactly what is heard with correct spellings.

The extract is played twice, the second time with pauses, giving time to write down word-for-word what is heard.

There is one dictation to complete and one recording.

Section 2: Listening and WritingC2

Section 3: Listening

Section 3 comprises a Text, note completion item type to assess listening skills.

It tests ability to extract specific information from spoken texts.

Test takers listen twice to two recordings, either a monologue or dialogue, and

complete a text or notes for each using the information heard. There are ten

gaps to complete; five per task.

Section 3: Listening

Section 3: ListeningC1

Select those that are FALSE

1. Section 1 comprises a 3-option multiple-choice item type. It

assesses listening skills. It tests ability to understand the gist of

short-spoken utterances.

2. The tasks for all levels of section two in the exam do not follow

the same format, however, the level of complexity and proficiency

required to successfully complete the tasks increases in the

higher levels.

3. Section 3 tests the ability to extract specific information from

spoken texts in levels B1 & B2.

Quick Quiz

Select those that are FALSE

✓ Section 1 comprises a 3-option multiple-choice item type. It

assesses listening skills. It tests ability to understand the gist of

short-spoken utterances.

× The task for all levels of section two in the exam do not follow the

same format. FALSE . The task for all levels of section two in the

exam follow the same format, however, the level of complexity

and proficiency required to successfully complete the tasks

increases in the higher levels.

✓ Section 3 tests the ability to extract specific information from

spoken texts in levels B1 & B2.

Quick Quiz

Section 4: Reading

Section 4 comprises a Gap fill 3 option multiple choice item type. It assesses reading skills.

It tests ability to understand the purpose, structure and main idea of short written texts.

Section 4: Reading

C2C1

Section 5: Reading

Section 5 comprises a 3-option multiple-choice item type to assess reading

skills.

It tests the ability to understand the main detail in short written texts in

levels C1 & C2.

Section 5: Reading

Test takers read a text and

answer five questions (or

complete five sentences)

from a choice of three

answer options. There are

five answers to choose and

one text.

Section 5: Reading C1C1

Just as in level C1, the test-taker

will be asked to read a text and

answer five questions (or

complete five sentences) from a

choice of three answer options.

There are five answers to choose

and one text.

Section 5: Reading C2C2

Section 6: Reading

Section 6 comprises an Open-ended

question item type. It assesses

reading skills. It tests the ability to

understand the main points of short

written texts.

Section 6: ReadingC1

Section 6 comprises an Open-ended

question item type. It assesses

reading skills. It tests the ability to

understand the main points of short

written texts.

Section 6: ReadingC2

Section 7: Reading

Section 7 comprises a text, note completion item type to assess reading

skills. It tests ability to extract specific information from a written text.

Section 7: Reading

C1

C2

Select those that are TRUE

1. There are four sections which cover reading skills in the exam

2. Item types for the reading sections are; Gap fill 3-option multiple

choice, 3-option multiple-choice, Open-ended question and Text

note completion types.

3. In section 5 the test-taker will be asked to read a text and answer

five questions (or complete five sentences) from a choice of three

answer options. There are five answers to choose and one text

4. All of the above

Quick Quiz

Select those that are TRUE

✓ There are four sections which cover reading skills in the exam

✓ Item types for the reading sections are; Gap fill 3-option multiple

choice, 3-option multiple-choice, Open-ended question and Text

note completion types

✓ In section 5 the test-taker will be asked to read a text and answer

five questions (or complete five sentences) from a choice of three

answer options. There are five answers to choose and one text

✓ All of the above TRUE

Quick Quiz

Section 8: Writing

Section 8 comprises a Write correspondence item type. It assesses writing

skills. It tests ability to write a short piece of correspondence.

Section 8: Writing

C2C1

In levels C1 & C2, test takers

write an email, formal or

informal letter or response in

another format based on

information given in Section 7.

There is one text to write, 120–

150 words in level C1 and

150~200 words in level C2.

Section 8: WritingC1

Section 9: Writing

Section 9 comprises a Write text item type. It assesses writing skills. It tests the

ability to write a short text from own experience, knowledge or imagination.

Section 9: Writing

C1

C2

In level C1 Test takers write a

piece of free writing from a

choice of two given topics.

The form of the response may

be:

factual: leaflet, blog entry, article

critical: review or report

analytical: essay

There is one text to write (200–

250 words).

Section 9: Writing C1C1

In level C2 test takers write a

piece of free writing from a

choice of two given topics.

The form of the response

may be:

factual: leaflet, blog entry,

article

critical: review, report, essay

analytical: essay

There is one text to write

(250–300 words).

Section 9: Writing C2

C2

Select those that are FALSE

1. Section 8 comprises a Write correspondence item type. It assesses writing

skills. It tests ability to write a short piece of correspondence. All the tasks

are the same and the required word length is the same as well.

2. In section 8, levels C1 & C2, test takers write an email, formal or informal

letter or response in another format based on information given in

Section 7. There is one text to write, 120~150 words in level C1 and

150~200 words in level C2.

3. Section 9 comprises a Write text item type. Test takers write a piece of

free writing from any topic they like.

Quick Quiz

Select those that are FALSE

× Section 8 comprises a Write correspondence item type. It assesses writing

skills. It tests ability to write a short piece of correspondence. All the tasks

are the same and the required word length is the same as well. FALSE The

tasks and word lengths differ depending on the level of exam.

✓ In section 8, levels C1 & C2, test takers write an email, formal or informal

letter or response in another format based on information given in

Section 7. There is one text to write, 120~150 words in level C1 and

150~200 words in level C2. TRUE

× Section 9 comprises a Write text item type. Test takers write a piece of

free writing from any topic they like. FALSE Test takers write a piece of

free writing from a choice of two given topics. The form of the response

may be factual, critical, or analytical.

Quick Quiz

Click on this link or copy the URL to take the completion test:

Final Quiz

You’ll be able to download a certificate of completion upon successful

completion of this final test.

Completion Test

There’s so much more to learn.

To find out more about the PTE General/Pearson

English International Certificate please visit:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualificatio

ns/pearson-test-of-english/pearson-test-of-

english-general/resources.html