How to Prepare for PTE Academic 2020

How to Prepare for PTE Academic

Taking PTE Academic 2020? While many may say that preparing for the test is a bit challenging, one can certainly score high with a well-planned strategy. Since the exam is conducted throughout a given year, one should book the test according to time they require for preparation. 

Only when a candidate has a clear idea of the exam pattern and syllabus of the test, shall a test taker start with the preparation. Lakhs of students across the world take the test to get admission in top universities or colleges in countries like Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, Germany etc

Some of the popular universities accepting PTE scorecard are Oxford University, Aston University, Auburn University, University of Illinois, Chicago, Mcmaster University Dalhousie University etc. For the benefit of the aspirants, CollegeDekho has curated section-wise preparation tips along with general and exam-day tips that will help them excel in PTE Academic 2020.

COVID-19 Update:

Pearson VUE which is the conducting body of PTE academic has reduced the availability of test centres for Indian candidates. Due to the unavoidable circumstances, candidates who have applied for the test may have to deal with situations like postponement of test, cancellation of test or change in the test centre. 

It is thus advisable for students who have not booked the PTE test date to choose the test date and centres wisely. They can plan and prepare for the test accordingly. 

Table of Content 

Tips and Tricks for PTE Academic 2020

Understand Your Current English Proficiency Level 

You can take Pearson's Practice Tests to determine your strong and weak areas (which may include grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse) and to analyse your communicative skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing). You may then work on the required areas to improve your English language ability.

Since your overall score is based on your performance on all test questions, focus on the weaker areas and plan how long you’ll need to study to increase your skills up to the desired level.

Know the Test Pattern

You should be completely familiar with the format of the PTE Academic. Understanding the paper pattern as well as types of questions is important for obtaining a good result. The test format will include details like its different sections (Speaking & Writing, Listening and Reading), length and timing, number of questions, the layout of the test, Important Instructions as well as the type of questions

Understand How the Test is Scored

All questions in PTE Academic are 100% machine scored. Scores for some questions are based on correctness alone, while others are based on correctness, formal aspects and the quality of the response.

Go for Quality Preparation Material

There is a growing range of free and paid preparation material available from PTE Academic. You may refer to the same for improving your chances of scoring well in the test.

Join an English Course

If you feel self-study is not the most effective way of reaching your full potential, you can always consider taking up preparation courses offered all around the world ranging from intensive week-long courses to courses that last for up to six months, to help you familiarise with the test and improve your English skills.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

This could be the best way to prepare for the test. You may improve your English listening, reading and writing skills by spending at least 5 or 10 minutes every day on activities that build your knowledge. You can become more fluent in the language by speaking English at your home, school or workplace. You may also join English-speaking groups that offer the opportunity to improve both speaking and listening skills. You must avail every opportunity to write in English. Reading newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and books as well as watching English programmes on television and listening to radio broadcasts are some of the ways you can adapt to improve your fluency. You may also observe native speakers and listen to the language used in different contexts.

Section-wise Preparation Strategy for PTE Academic 2020

Check topic wise preparation tips for each section:

Preparation Strategy for PTE Academic 2020 Speaking and Writing Section

Preparation Strategy for PTE Academic 2020 Reading Section

Preparation Strategy for PTE Academic 2020 Listening Section​

General Tips & Tricks for Exam Day

• Carry the correct documentation and ID to the test centre.

• Allow yourself plenty of time to reach the test centre.

• Read all test instructions carefully.

• Use correct punctuation for writing tasks: full stops, capital letters, commas, etc.

• Answer the question. If the question asks you to write or speak about sport, write or speak about ‘sport’ NOT ‘science’.

• Stay within the word limit given for writing tasks.

• Respond quickly and keep speaking during speaking tasks. The microphone will close after 3 seconds of silence and stop recording.

• Do not spend too much time on a single question.

• Spend any available time checking your answers.