How much study is needed for each level?
Clearly learners progress at differing rates but, broadly speaking, Level A1 Foundation represents between three to six months part-time study and Levels 1 to 3 each represent one year of part-time study for many of our adult test takers. Level 4 often represents a further 18 months’ study from Level 3, as might the transition from Level 4 to Level 5. Each level of PTE General (except A1 Foundation Level) is an ongoing, incremental and cumulative body of knowledge, not a discrete category without relation to prior learning. Thus, as test takers enter each new level of PTE General, it is presupposed they are familiar with, and can successfully engage in, the communicative tasks, language skills and structural and language content of the levels which precede their current area of study.
