
LanguageCert Academic Speaking Part 2: Role Play Task Format, Scoring, and Strategies
LanguageCert Academic Speaking Part 2 tests your ability to handle real conversations in academic settings. …
Choosing between LanguageCert Academic and PTE for your Australian visa? Here’s the short answer: LanguageCert is easier for most people. The listening audio plays twice instead of once, you get 50 minutes for writing instead of 40, and a human marks your speaking rather than AI. But the right choice depends on your specific situation.
I’ve seen students struggle with PTE’s AI scoring for months, then pass LanguageCert on their first attempt. I’ve also seen the opposite. Let’s break down exactly what makes these tests different and which one suits you better.
| Feature | LanguageCert Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Total Duration | 2 hours 34 minutes | 2 hours |
| Listening Audio | Played TWICE | Played ONCE |
| Writing Time | 50 minutes (flexible) | 40 minutes (fixed timers) |
| Speaking Assessment | Human interlocutor | AI scoring |
| Scoring System | Human + fully independent | AI + integrated scoring |
| Can Review Answers? | Yes (Reading/Listening) | No |
| Results | 5 working days | 1-5 days (often 48 hours) |
| Accepted For | Australian visas | Australian, UK, Canada visas |
Experience a sample test to see exactly what to expect.
This is the biggest advantage LanguageCert has. Every audio clip plays twice.
Think about that. In PTE, you get one shot. Miss a word? Too bad. Didn’t catch the speaker’s accent? Tough luck. But in LanguageCert, you hear everything again. You can check your answers, fill in gaps, and confirm what you thought you heard.
LanguageCert Listening (40 minutes, 30 questions):
PTE Listening (30-43 minutes):
For students who struggle with fast speech or unfamiliar accents, LanguageCert’s double playback is a game-changer. I’ve seen listening scores jump by 10+ points just because of this feature.

Get your estimated score and see where you need to improve.
LanguageCert gives you 50 minutes for two tasks. You decide how to split that time. Want to spend 20 minutes on the report and 30 on the essay? Go ahead.
PTE? Each task has its own countdown. 10 minutes for Summarize Written Text. 20 minutes for Essay. No flexibility.
LanguageCert Writing Tasks:
| Task | Word Limit | Suggested Time |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Report/Article (infographic) | 150-200 words | 20 minutes |
| Part 2: Discursive Essay | 250 words | 30 minutes |
PTE Writing Tasks (40 minutes total):
| Task | Count | Word Limit | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summarize Written Text | 2 | 5-75 words | 10 minutes each |
| Essay | 1 | 200-300 words | 20 minutes |
PTE still uses integrated scoring between some sections. Your Writing performance contributes to your Reading score, and Write from Dictation (Listening) contributes to Writing. However, recent changes removed some cross-contributions: Read Aloud no longer affects Reading, and Listening Fill in the Blanks no longer affects Writing.
LanguageCert scores each section completely independently. What you do in one section has zero impact on another.
Access questions for all test sections with AI explanations.
This is where personal preference matters most.
LanguageCert Speaking (14 minutes):
PTE Speaking (30-35 minutes):
Some students love PTE’s computer-based format. No human judging them. No nervousness from eye contact. Just record and submit.
Others find the AI scoring frustrating. The algorithm doesn’t understand context. It doesn’t care if you corrected yourself mid-sentence. It measures pitch patterns, pauses, and pronunciation with mathematical precision.
LanguageCert’s human examiner can tell the difference between a thoughtful pause and a confused silence. They reward communication, not perfection.
Pro Tip: If you struggle with PTE’s AI – maybe it keeps flagging your pitch or marking pauses as hesitations – LanguageCert might be your answer.

For Australian skilled migration, you need minimum “Competent” English to meet the visa requirement (no PR points), “Proficient” for 10 points, or “Superior” for 20 points.
| Section | PTE Score | LanguageCert Score |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 47 | 57 |
| Reading | 48 | 60 |
| Writing | 51 | 64 |
| Speaking | 54 | 70 |
| Section | PTE Score | LanguageCert Score |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 58 | 67 |
| Reading | 59 | 71 |
| Writing | 69 | 78 |
| Speaking | 76 | 82 |
| Section | PTE Score | LanguageCert Score |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 69 | 80 |
| Reading | 70 | 83 |
| Writing | 85 | 89 |
| Speaking | 88 | 89 |
Note: PTE scores updated for tests taken on or after August 7, 2025. Previous uniform scores (50/65/79) no longer apply.
The numbers look higher for LanguageCert, but here’s what those numbers mean in practice: to get a Competent score in LanguageCert Reading (60/100), you only need to answer about 6-7 questions correctly out of 30.
Choose LanguageCert if you:
Choose PTE if you:
Both tests are valid for Australian immigration. Both last 2 years. The “easier” test is the one that matches how you perform.

In LanguageCert Listening, how many times is each audio played?
What is the total writing time in LanguageCert Academic?
How is PTE Speaking scored?
For Competent English (IELTS 6), what is the minimum PTE Reading score needed?
Which feature is unique to LanguageCert Speaking?
How many times is audio played in LanguageCert Listening?
Twice. Every audio clip plays two times, giving you a chance to verify your answers.
What is the total duration of LanguageCert Academic?
2 hours 34 minutes (Speaking 14 min, Writing 50 min, Reading 50 min, Listening 40 min)
How is PTE scored?
Fully AI-scored using the Pearson algorithm, with scores from 10-90.
What PTE score equals IELTS 7 (Proficient)?
Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 69, Speaking 76 (updated August 2025).
What LanguageCert scores equal IELTS 7 (Proficient)?
Listening 67, Reading 71, Writing 78, Speaking 82.
Can you go back to previous questions in LanguageCert Reading?
Yes. You can review and change answers before the section ends.
How long is the LanguageCert Speaking section?
14 minutes with a live human interlocutor.
How many questions are in LanguageCert Reading?
30 questions across 5 parts (Part 1a, 1b, 2, 3, and 4).
What score gives 20 PR points for Australian immigration?
Superior level: PTE L69, R70, W85, S88 or LanguageCert L80, R83, W89, S89.
How long do LanguageCert results take?
5 working days.
Whether you choose LanguageCert or PTE, Marvel Edu has you covered with the same AI-powered platform trusted by 85,000+ test takers.
| Feature | LanguageCert Prep | PTE Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Mock Tests | Full 2h 34min simulations | Full 2-hour simulations |
| AI Scoring | Instant feedback on all sections | Instant feedback on all sections |
| Speaking Practice | Video-recorded responses with AI analysis | AI scoring matched to PTE algorithm |
| Writing Feedback | Structure, vocabulary, grammar analysis | Template strategies + scoring breakdown |
| Expert Templates | Report and essay structures that work | Proven templates for every task |
| Strategy Videos | Section-by-section tactics | 90-score achiever strategies |
For LanguageCert: Practice with our Interlocutor simulation that mirrors the real video-call experience. Get comfortable speaking naturally before your exam day.
For PTE: Our AI scoring matches the official algorithm so closely that 98% of users score within 2 points of their mock test results.
Why switch or start with Marvel Edu? Same platform, two exams. If you’ve tried PTE and struggled, use your existing account to practice LanguageCert instead. No new subscription needed.
Video strategies, mock tests, and practice questions in one package.