What happens on PTE test day?

Not allowed in the test room: phones, electronic devices, digital watches, jewellery thicker than ½ cm (¼ inch), wallets or purses, hats, coats, books or notes, food, drink, chewing gum, smoking, and chatting or disturbing others (test centre rules).

Comfort aids allowed without asking in advance, after the administrator checks them: tissues, unwrapped cough drops, a pillow for neck, back or limb support, a sweater or blazer (pockets shown empty), glasses and hearing aids, neck braces, and an insulin pump attached to your body. Bring your own (accommodations and comfort aids).

You sit in a partitioned booth with a computer, QWERTY keyboard and audio headset. Centres are small, typically around 10–15 people, and you may hear neighbours speaking; Pearson says its microphones will not pick them up (Pearson).

Notes go on the erasable board provided; if you run out of space, raise your hand for a new one. Many tasks are timed and move on when time runs out, you cannot go back to change earlier answers, and the administrator cannot answer questions about test content (Test Taker Handbook).

PTE Academic opens with an unscored Personal Introduction: 25 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to record (Pearson).

There are no scheduled breaks. You can ask for an unscheduled break, but the test clock keeps running and you may not use your locker, speak to anyone or leave the building. A break for medical reasons must be requested before booking as an accommodation (Test Taker Handbook).

You cannot leave before the test ends: doing so loses the fee and your scores are not provided. When you finish, raise your hand; the administrator closes the test, escorts you out and checks your ID electronically.

Breaking the rules can lead to revoked scores and a ban from future tests (test centre rules).