According to reporting by PW, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) is undergoing a major format change in 2026: a shorter overall duration (reported as a two‑hour test) and a hybrid scoring model that combines automated (AI) analysis with human raters. Education advisers and test‑prep providers say the move is intended to speed up delivery and improve scoring reliability — but it also requires students and institutions to adjust.
For students in Jordan and the Middle East, the immediate implications are practical. If you had planned to sit PTE based on existing practice tests or test‑length expectations, you should update your preparation schedule to reflect faster pacing and different task timing. Universities and scholarship programs that list PTE as an accepted proof of English should be contacted to confirm they will accept scores from the revised format; where possible, get written confirmation from admissions offices before switching tests.
The PTE change also reshapes the question of which English test to choose. TOEFL and Duolingo remain widely accepted alternatives: recent guides from U.S. News and Shiksha outline TOEFL timelines and structure, while conversion tables between Duolingo and TOEFL are available for institutions that accept multiple tests. Students should compare minimum score requirements, reporting times and test dates — and factor in the processing time needed by target universities. As a rule, allow at least several weeks between your test date and application deadlines to account for score reporting and any possible rescore requests.
Preparing for AI‑assisted scoring means paying attention to clarity, pronunciation and cohesiveness in speaking and to organization and accuracy in writing. Practice with timed, full‑length mock tests that mimic the new two‑hour pacing. Ask test centers or Pearson representatives about updated sample materials and the appeals/rescore policy for AI‑flagged responses. If you have a conditional or time‑sensitive offer from a university, consider sitting a more established test (TOEFL or IELTS where accepted) until institutions confirm acceptance of the new PTE format.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help students evaluate which English test best fits their timelines and target programs, arrange mock exams under new timing constraints, and contact universities to verify score acceptance. Our consultants can also advise whether to keep an existing test booking or switch dates as the new format rolls out.
If you need guidance on which test to choose, how to adjust your study plan, or how to meet upcoming application deadlines, contact Shatnawi: WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for an appointment.