PTE Core Reading is Part 2 of the test — one timed section of around 30 minutes with five task types: Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers), Re-order Paragraphs, Reading: Fill in the Blanks, and Multiple Choice (Single Answer). It is not timed per question, so the skill under pressure is reading accuracy at speed.
One task is integrative: Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks also scores toward your Writing result, so correct blanks count twice. Every task below uses the real item format, built on Pearson's own instructions; start with a full mock, then drill your weakest area. Farther down: a worked example per task, a comparison table, the official CLB Reading bands and an FAQ.
Each test: RWFIB·5, MCMA·2, ROP·2, FIB·4, MCSA·2 (15 Q). All auto-scored instantly — zero AI cost.
R&W Fill in Blanks
Select the correct word from dropdown menus to fill gaps in a passage. This task contributes to both your Reading AND Writing scores.
Start Practice →MC Multiple Answers
Read a passage and select all correct answers. Wrong selections lose points — only choose options you're confident about.
Start Practice →Reorder Paragraphs
Arrange jumbled sentences into the correct logical order. Scored by adjacent pairs — even a partially correct order earns points.
Start Practice →Fill in Blanks
Drag words from a word bank into gaps in the passage. More words than blanks — the extras are distractors. Read the full text before placing any word.
Start Practice →MC Single Answer
Read a passage and pick exactly one correct answer. No negative marking — always make your best guess. Pure reading comprehension.
Start Practice →The five PTE Core Reading task types
Each item type probes a different sub-skill: choosing the word that fits (the two Fill in the Blanks tasks), following an argument's logic (Re-order Paragraphs), and separating a main point from its detail (both Multiple Choice tasks).
1. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (drop-down)
A passage has several words removed; each gap has a drop-down menu of four options. About two minutes. Tests grammar and vocabulary together — verb form, agreement, collocation and meaning — and because it also scores Writing, accuracy beats speed.
Common mistake: picking the first option that fits grammatically. Every distractor fits the grammar; the correct one fits the collocation and the meaning.
2. Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers
Read a text, then select all the correct answers; unchecked options cost nothing. The slowest Reading items, so cap yourself at two minutes. Tests whether each statement is genuinely supported by the text. The score is +1 per correct selection and -1 per incorrect one, minimum 0.
Common mistake: selecting an option that repeats the passage's wording while reversing its meaning, or one that sounds true in real life but is not stated in the text.
3. Re-order Paragraphs
Sentences from one text appear out of order; click them into a coherent sequence. Two minutes is a sensible ceiling; the score counts correct adjacent pairs, so a partial order still earns credit. Tests cohesion: pronoun reference, linking words and the topic sentence.
Common mistake: starting with a sentence that opens with a pronoun or connector (“This…”, “However…”). A paragraph's first sentence rarely refers back to something not yet said.
4. Reading: Fill in the Blanks (word bank)
A passage has gaps plus a word bank; click a word, then a blank to place it. The bank holds more words than gaps, so some are distractors. Allow about two minutes and read the passage before placing anything. Tests vocabulary in context, with no grammar clues.
Common mistake: placing words on a first pass. Every distractor is topically plausible — “inspection” fits the building context, but not the sentence it would sit in.
5. Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
Read a short text and choose the single best answer; there is no negative marking, so never leave it unanswered. About ninety seconds. Tests main idea, purpose or inference — the question stem tells you which.
Common mistake: choosing an option because it contains words from the passage. The correct answer is usually a paraphrase; distractors quote the text out of context.
The five task types compared
Difficulty ratings below are our own, not Pearson's.
| Task | Format | What it tests | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks | Drop-down menus inside a passage | Grammar and vocabulary; also scores Writing | Moderate — two skills depend on it |
| MC, Multiple Answers | Checkboxes; +1 per correct, −1 per wrong (min 0) | Detailed comprehension of each statement | Hardest — wrong picks deduct points |
| Re-order Paragraphs | Click sentences into sequence | Cohesion, pronoun and connector chains | Hard — partial credit for adjacent pairs |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Word bank with extra distractors | Vocabulary in context | Moderate — no grammar clues |
| MC, Single Answer | One radio button, no negative marking | Main idea or inference | Easiest — always answer it |
PTE Core Reading scores and CLB bands
Your Reading result is a score on PTE Core's 10–90 scale, which IRCC converts to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). For a first official language:
| CLB level | PTE Core Reading | Express Entry points |
|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 88+ | 6 |
| 9 | 78–87 | 6 |
| 8 | 69–77 | 5 |
| 7 | 60–68 | 4 |
IRCC's table starts at CLB 7, so a Reading score below 60 earns no first-official-language points. Program minimums are checked per ability: Federal Skilled Worker requires CLB 7 in every ability, so a CLB 9 Reading score will not rescue a CLB 6 Writing score; Canadian Experience Class wants CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2/3; Federal Skilled Trades needs CLB 5 in Speaking and Listening but only CLB 4 in Reading and Writing. Source: IRCC's Express Entry language-requirements page (canada.ca), 21 August 2025 — the tables behind our PTE Core vs CELPIP comparison.
How to use this page
Start with a mock above, then drill the task behind your weakest score. Pair these sets with PTE Core Tips; for the other skills see Speaking, Writing, Listening, our PTE templates and the CLB & Express Entry guide.