Does PTE Have Breaks? What You Need to Know About Rest
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) does not include any scheduled breaks. The entire exam—whether it's PTE Academic, PTE Core, or PTE UKVI—is completed in one continuous session, typically lasting around two hours. While test takers may request an unscheduled break, the test clock continues running, so time management is essential.
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Do you get a break during the PTE?
The short answer is: No scheduled breaks.
Unlike some other English tests, the PTE Academic, PTE Core, and PTE Academic UKVI are designed to be completed in a single continuous session of about 2 hours. You’ll move directly from:
Speaking & Writing → Reading → Listening
There are no official rest periods between these sections. Here is a guide on how long each section takes.
What is an unscheduled break during the PTE?
While there are no scheduled pauses, test centers do allow unscheduled breaks if you really need one (e.g., bathroom emergency).
But there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The test clock does not stop. Every second counts toward your total time.
- You must notify the test administrator before leaving the test room.
- The unscheduled break may be recorded in your test session log.
So, while it's technically possible to take a break, it's not ideal because you’ll lose valuable test time.
Conclusion
Since there are no scheduled breaks, it’s important to prepare accordingly. If you need a quick unscheduled break, you can ask, but be aware that the test timer keeps running.
So make sure you:
- Plan ahead: Eat, hydrate, and use the restroom before your test. (Take a look at our pre-test guide)
- Build endurance: Take full-length mock tests to get used to the pace.
- Practice smart: Use Arno’s PTE tools to simulate real test questions and conditions.