February 2020

PTE General PEARSON ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE

Teacher training guide (Levels A1-A2)

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, 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 A1 & A2.

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 Listening3 option (graphical)

multiple choiceUnderstand 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 5

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 A1:

30~50 words, Level A2: 50~70 words)10

9 Writing Write textWrite a short text (Level A1: 50~80 words, Level

A2: 80~100 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 (A1 & A2) 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

2 7 mins

3 7 mins

4 8 mins

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

2 & 3 1.5 mins 2 mins 1.5 mins 2 mins

4 & 5 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.

Personal Information: Sustained Monologue

Section 12: Describe Picture

The test taker has to respond to a visual.

Describe a Picture

Section 13: Role Play

The test taker takes part

in a conversation with the

interlocutor with specific

roles and a situation.

Role Play

View an example of a speaking test at level A2

Level A2

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 to the speaking test at the A1 and A2 level

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 exam.

✓ 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 to the speaking test at the A1 and A2 level. FALSE. There

are just three sections at this level.

Getting to know the Written Test

Section 1: Listening

Section 1 comprises a 3-option (graphical) multiple-choice item type to

assess listening skills.

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

A1

A2

Section 1: Listening

In levels A1 & A2, Test takers listen once to ten short recordings and answer

a single question for each by choosing which of three pictures matches

what is heard.

There are ten questions to answer; one per recording.

Section 1: Listening

A1

Section 1: Listening

Section 2: Listening and

Writing

Section 2 comprises a Dictation item type to 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 Writing

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.

Section 3: Listening

A2

Section 3: Listening

Select those that are FALSE

1. Section 1 comprises a 3-option graphical 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 A1 & A2.

Quick Quiz

Select those that are FALSE

✓ Section 1 comprises a 3-option graphical 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 A1 & A2

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.

A1

A2

Section 4: Reading

Section 5: Reading

Section 5 comprises a 3-option (graphical) multiple-choice item type to

assess reading skills.

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

levels A1 & A2.

Section 5: Reading

Test takers read five short texts and for each one select, from a choice of three

answer options, the picture which matches the content of the text. There are

three pictures to choose; one correct answer per text.

Section 5: Reading A1

A1

Just as in level A1, the test-taker will

be asked to choose from three

pictures after reading a text.

There is one right answer.

Section 5: Reading A2A2

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.

A1

A2

Section 6: Reading

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.

A1

A2

Section 7: Reading

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. The tasks in section 5 differ depending on the level of the test. In

levels A1 and 1 it is a 3-option graphical multiple-choice question

type

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

✓ The tasks in section 5 differ depending on the level of the test. In

levels A1 and 1 it is a 3-option graphical multiple-choice question

type

✓ 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.

A1

A2

Section 8: Writing

In levels A1 & A2, test takers

write a short email, letter,

postcard, note or blog entry

based on information given in

Section 7.

There is one text to write,

30~50 words in level A1 and

50~70 words in level A2.

A1

Section 8: Writing

Section 9: Writing

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

the ability to write a short text based on a picture or pictures (levels A1 & A2)

A1 A2

Section 9: Writing

In level A1, test takers write a

short text based on a visual

image. They choose one of

two pictures. The form of the

response may be a diary

entry, short story or

description.

There is one text to write

(50–80 words).

Section 9: Writing

In level A2 test takers write a

short text based on a series

of three visual images. They

choose one of two series.

The form of the response

may be a diary entry, short

story or description.

There is one text to write

(80-100 words).

Section 9: Writing

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 levels A1 & A2, test takers write a short email, letter, postcard,

note or blog entry based on information given in Section 7. There

is one text to write, 30~50 words in level A1 and 50~70 words in

level A2.

3. Section 9 comprises a Write text item type. It assesses writing

skills. It tests ability to write a short text based on; a picture in

level A1 and a series of three pictures in level A2.

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 levels A1 & A2, test takers write a short email, letter, postcard, note or

blog entry based on information given in Section 7. There is one text to

write, 30~50 words in level A1 and 50~70 words in level A2. TRUE

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

tests ability to write a short text based on; a picture in level A1, a series of

three pictures in level A2. TRUE

Quick Quiz

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

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MMD5F5L

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