Tips to Achieve a Higher Score in PTE Academics

The Pearson Test of English Academic [PTE Academic] is an internationally recognized English Proficiency Test, widely accepted by more than 3500 global universities in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. It is also commonly used for work visas and immigration purposes in Australia, UK and New Zealand.

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To prepare effectively, getting familiar with the test structure, practising through sample questions, and developing strategies for test day are important. This is a user-friendly test that consists of 20 different task types. These tasks simulate scenarios similar to those encountered at university or in work. If you wish to see high scores, follow the tips and strategies explained below:

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Part 1: Speaking & Writing

This part has five types of speaking tasks and two types of writing tasks.?

The Speaking tasks include Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Retell Lecture and Answer Short Question.?

The writing tasks consist of Summarize Written Text and Write Essay.

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For the speaking tasks, focus on fluency, pronunciation, and content.

Fluency:

1)? ? Try to speak at your own pace.

2)? ? Take pauses wherever required such as full stop and comma.

3)? ? Try not to rush while speaking as it will impact your fluency negatively.

4)? ? Try not to hesitate in between while speaking (Avoid using “um, uh”\, etc.” frequently).

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Pronunciation:

1)? ? Try to use stress and intonation to emphasize on important words. Raise your tone on contrast words by speaking them in a louder pitch and a falling intonation at the end of the sentence.

2)? ? Do not try to use British or any other accent forcefully. Remember you are not marked by an accent.

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Content:

1)? ? Speak for all or most of the time allotted. Even when you realize your mistake, don't stop. If you don’t speak for 3 seconds, the recording will stop.

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For the writing tasks, ensure that your responses have quality content, structure, and fair language use.

Quality Content:

1)? ? Write your Summarize Written Text response in one sentence only. You won’t get marks if you write more than one sentence. Similarly, the Write Essay response must be between 200 and 300 words. Writing less than 200 words or more than 300 words will reduce your score.

2)? ? Spend some time to plan before you write. Try to identify the main idea and note important key points which you would like to include in your response.

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Structure:

1)? ? Avoid overuse or underuse of linking words.

2)? ? Use paragraphing for the Write Essay response.

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Fair Language Use:

1)? ? Do not copy words from the task. Try to use synonyms of the words given in the task.

2)? ? Use simple, compound, or complex sentences accurately. Decide their usage based on the requirements of the task.

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Part 2: Reading

This part contains five types of tasks:?

1. Multiple Choice Single Answer
2. Multiple Choice Multiple Answer
3. Reorder Paragraphs
4. Reading: Fill in the Blanks
5. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks.

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During this section, it is beneficial do the following:

1)? ? For Multiple Choice Single Answer and Multiple Choice Multiple Answer tasks, look at the question first and then skim read the passage to get an overall idea. Identify keywords in the question so as to find relevant parts in the passage. Avoid negative marking in Multiple Choice Multiple Answer tasks by only selecting the choices that you can select with complete confidence.

2)? ? For Re-order Paragraphs, search for topic sentences or sentences that do not start with any pronouns or linking words so as to use them in the beginning. Linking words and pronouns can be used to find the subsequent sentences in the paragraph.

3)? ? For Reading: Fill in the Blanks, and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, start with skim reading the passage and get the main idea. Look for collocations and fill them first. Check for the missing part of speech in each blank. Pick the words that match the context and connotation of the passage.

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Part 3: Listening

This one has eight different task types namely?

1. Summarize Spoken Text
2. Multiple Choice Multiple Answer
3. Fill in the Blanks
4. Highlight Correct Summary
5. Multiple Choice Single Answer
6. Select Missing Word
7. Highlight Incorrect Words
8. Write from Dictation

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For this section remember to do the following:

1. Be attentive as you can hear the recordings only once.

1. In Summarize Spoken Text, make notes of all important points you hear. While writing the response, try to cover all the main details along with brief supporting points. You should write 50 to 70 words.

1. For Multiple Choice Multiple Answer and Multiple Choice Single Answer tasks, read the questions and options in the first few seconds before the recording starts. While listening, make notes of all important as well as supporting details. Avoid answering the questions just by matching words from the recording to the words in the choices. Just like Reading, avoid negative marking in Multiple Choice Multiple Answer tasks by only selecting the choices that you are absolutely sure about.

1. In Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, and Select Missing Word tasks, skim read the text on screen before the recording starts. Use the erasable notepad to make notes while listening. Use the notes to then write or select the answers on screen.

5)? ? In the Highlight Incorrect Words and Write from Dictation task, listen and attempt the task on screen. Making notes for this task becomes counterproductive.

Mastering the PTE Academic requires the right strategies, practice, and guidance. By focusing on fluency, pronunciation, content, structure, and accuracy, you can significantly boost your score.

Join Akshay Study Abroad Consultants for expert PTE training and achieve your desired score!?

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Written by

Ms. Priyanka Lodha

PTE, IELTS & TOEFL Faculty

Akshay Study Abroad Consultants