How Many Questions Are in the PTE Exam? Question Counts by Task (2026)
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Last updated: 11 October 2026
Quick answer: how many questions are in the PTE exam?
In the current format the Speaking part has about 32 questions and the Reading part about 14 questions, spread over 12 task types. Pearson can vary the number of questions in each task from test to test, so treat these as typical counts, not guarantees. Writing has 2 task types (Summarize Written Text and Write Essay) and Listening has 8 task types.
Speaking: typical question counts and weight
| Task | Questions | Share of overall score | Raw points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Describe Image | 4 | 15% | 12 |
| Summarize Group Discussion | 2 | 9% | 16 |
| Repeat Sentence | 10 | 7% | 50 |
| Re-tell Lecture | 2 | 6% | 16 |
| Respond to a Situation | 2 | 6% | 8 |
| Read Aloud | 6 | 4% | 24 |
| Answer Short Question | 6 | 2% | 6 |
Reading: typical question counts and weight
| Task | Questions | Share of overall score | Raw points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill in the Blanks: Dropdown | 5 | 7% | 30 |
| Reading Fill in the Blanks (drag and drop) | 4 | 6% | 20 |
| Re-order Paragraphs | 2 | 3% | 10 |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer | 1 | 1% | 3 |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 2 | under 1% | 4 |
Counts and weights come from the Dream English scoring guide, which uses Pearson’s published percentage weights. Always check the current Pearson test format for your test date.
What the numbers mean for your preparation
Four Describe Image questions carry 15% of your overall score, more than 10 Repeat Sentence questions at 7%. Count of questions is not weight. Spend practice time where the weight is: Describe Image, Summarize Group Discussion, Repeat Sentence, Summarize Written Text, Write Essay and the Reading Fill in the Blanks tasks. Open the free scoring guide to see every task: https://platform.dreamenglish.com.au/tools/scoring-guide.
For timing and the full task list, read the PTE exam format and pattern guide. For Summarize Written Text rules, see the Summarize Written Text guide.
Related PTE guides
- PTE score chart: how each task feeds your score
- Repeat Sentence tips and scoring
- Describe Image scoring guide
- Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks
- PTE Listening overview: every question type and weight
- PTE score calculator for Australia
PTE question counts: common questions
How many Repeat Sentence questions are in the PTE exam?
Typically about 10. Repeat Sentence is worth about 7% of your overall score and counts toward both Speaking and Listening.
How many Describe Image questions are in the PTE exam?
Typically about 4. Describe Image is the highest-weighted task, at about 15% of your overall score.
How many Summarize Group Discussion questions are there?
Typically about 2. It is worth about 9% of your overall score and counts toward Speaking and Listening.
