PTE Core reading practice
To reach CLB 7 in reading, you need 60. Eight question types count toward your reading score.
Practise for free
By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
PTE Core reading
The score you need for each CLB level
| CLB level | Reading score |
|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 88 to 90 |
| CLB 9 | 78 to 87 |
| CLB 8 | 69 to 77 |
| CLB 7Federal Skilled Worker | 60 to 68 |
| CLB 6 | 51 to 59 |
| CLB 5 | 42 to 50 |
| CLB 4 | 33 to 41 |
From Pearson's PTE Core to CLB table.
What to know about PTE Core reading
Five question types are in the reading part. Three more come from the other two parts.
The reading part has one clock for all its questions, so you choose your pace.
Some questions take a mark off for each wrong pick, so choose only what you're sure of.
Question types that count for reading
In the reading part
This part takes 27 to 37 minutes.
- RWFIBReading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks5 to 6 in a testAlso counts for writing
- MCMMultiple Choice, Multiple Answers1 to 2 in a test
- RORe-order Paragraphs2 to 3 in a test
- RFIBReading: Fill in the Blanks4 to 5 in a test
- MCSMultiple Choice, Single Answer1 to 2 in a test
From other parts of the test
- RARead Aloud6 to 7 in a testIn the speaking and writing partAlso counts for speaking
- SWTSummarize Written Text1 to 2 in a testPTE Core versionIn the speaking and writing partAlso counts for writing
- HIWHighlight Incorrect Words1 to 2 in a testIn the listening partAlso counts for listening
How to practise reading
Know your target
Find the CLB level your program needs. For CLB 7, that's 60 in reading.Learn words that go together
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks and Reading: Fill in the Blanks both ask which word fits the gap.Watch the clock
Leave time for the last questions. The whole part shares one clock.Take a full mock test
It shows your score and CLB level for every skill, so you know where you stand.
Your first mock test is free. See the PTE Core mock test.
Common questions
What PTE Core reading score is CLB 7?
You need 60 or higher. For CLB 8 you need 69, and for CLB 9, 78. CLB 7 in all four skills means listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68 and writing 69.
Which question types count for reading?
Eight: Read Aloud, Summarize Written Text, Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, Re-order Paragraphs, Reading: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Single Answer and Highlight Incorrect Words.
Do wrong answers lose marks in PTE Core reading?
In Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers and Highlight Incorrect Words, yes. Each wrong pick takes off a mark, but a question never scores below zero.
How long is the PTE Core reading part?
27 to 37 minutes, with one clock for the whole part.
Get the score you need
