It's nothing new that English is the most widely recognized global language today. Owing to that, proficiency in English is a must if you’re planning to study or work abroad. While IELTS is more common as a standardized English test option, it's not the only choice out there. There are more comprehensive tests like the PTE which are easier to take and provide faster results. Here’s everything you need to know to about the PTE Test.  What is the PTE Test?  PTE or Pearson Test of English is a standardized English proficiency test designed for non-native English speakers. The test assesses the language skills of a person who wants to study or work in an English-speaking country.  The test evaluates four skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. PTE is recognized by various universities, colleges, governments, and organizations around the world as proof of English language proficiency. They are reputed for reliable and fast result delivery which is typically available within 5 business days.  Read more: Free Websites for Online IELTS Mock Tests Types of PTE Test  Unlike IELTS, PTE offers a range of test options. Each of these tests is designed for specific usage targeting different demographics. As part of the PTE itself, there are PTE Academic, PTE Core, and UK Visa tests (SELT). The PTE Core and SELT are designated for work and immigration in Canada and the UK respectively.  PTE Academic  PTE Academic is the most common type of Pearson test. It is designed for non-native speakers seeking higher education and professional opportunities where the medium of instruction is English. There is also PTE Academic Online which can be attempted from home rather than a test center.  The SELT is included as part of the PTE Academic. Several options under SELT include PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home A1, A2, and B1. PTE Core  PTE Core is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a standard of qualification for the English language. It is designated for work and migration in Canada. Note that if you’re applying for higher education in Canada, you will need the PTE Academic unless stated otherwise.  Read more: Duolingo English Test: Everything You Need to Know In addition to the PTE Academic, SELT, and PTE Core, there are two more certificate exams held under the Pearson system. These are:  International Certificate The International Certificate is commonly known as PTE General. It is designed to assess and validate general English language proficiency for day-to-day use. Note that PTE General cannot be used for academic or immigration purposes. International Certificate Young Learners The International Certificate Young Learners test is designed for students aged between 6 to 13. It assesses the English language ability of a student in a child-friendly manner. There are four levels to the Young Learners test, Firstwords, Springboard, Quickmarch, and Breakthrough. Read more: TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities Test Format and Structure of PTE Test  The PTE test being a standardized module assesses a user on speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Speaking and writing parts are combined as a single section with reading and listening being separate sections. However, the test format and the test structure differ depending on the type of the test.  PTE Academic The PTE Academic Speaking and Writing section takes about 54 to 67 minutes to finish. The reading section takes about 29 to 30 minutes and the listening takes about 30 to 43 minutes. The question structure for each of the sections is as follows:  Speaking and Writing  - Personal Introduction- Read Aloud- Repeat Sentence- Describe Image- Re-tell Lecture- Answer Short Question- Summarize Written Text- Essay (20 minutes)- The total number of questions would vary between 28 to 36.  Read more: IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for study abroad? Reading  - Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing)- Multiple Choice, Single Answer- Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers- Re-order Paragraphs- Fill in the Blanks (Reading)- The total number of questions would vary between 13 to 18. Listening  - Summarize Spoken Text- Multiple Choice, Single Answer- Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers- Fill in the Blanks- Highlight Correct Summary- Multiple Choice, Single Answer- Select Missing Word- Highlight Incorrect Words- Write from Dictation- The total number of questions would vary between 12 to 20. Read more: IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General