Written by: Ahsan Ahmed
PTE is an English language testing system same as IELTS where it is more automated and computerised. The test is divided into four different sections which are Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening.
The PTE test result is accepted to date in the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia for student visa application and academic entry.
Australia and New Zealand also accept PTE for Permanent migration.
Let’s look at the PTE scoring first as compared to IELTS:
| English Level | IELTS | PTE Academic |
| Expert | 9 | 86 – 90 |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 83 – 85 |
| Very Good | 8 | 79 – 82 |
| Good | 7.5 | 73 – 78 |
| Good | 7 | 65 – 72 |
| Competent | 6.5 | 58 – 64 |
| Competent | 6 | 50 – 57 |
| Modest | 5.5 | 42 – 49 |
| Modest | 5 | 36 – 41 |
| Limited | 4.5 | 30 – 35 |
Break down of the scoring and question types:
- Speaking: number of questions and average marks by question type
| Question Type | Min – Max | Speaking | Listening | Reading |
| Read Aloud * | 6 – 7 | 22 | 22 | |
| Repeat Sentence * | 10 -12 | 32 | 20 | |
| Describe Image * | 6- 7 | 22 | ||
| Re-tell Lecture | 3 – 4 | 11 | 10 | |
| Answer Short Question | 10 -12 | 2 | 7 |
• Read Aloud: it is one of the most important (*) questions which gives mark on both speaking and reading. Speaking clearly and fluently is very important to get a high score in this question. Read it as it is and do not miss, add or modify any word or sentence.
• Repeat Sentence: it is a very crucial and key question type for the PTE exam. Make sure you are repeating it as exactly as you heard. This is a very practice question and most of them are repeated in the exam. So, take advantage of YouTube for practicing a lot of repeat sentences.
• Describe Image: follow a set format or strategy for this question. Most of the marks come here from fluency and pronunciations. Don’t compromise with those two by putting too much pressure on content.
• Retell Lecture: practice at home. Note-taking is very important as well as how you deliver those notes. Mentioned whatever you have heard if you can’t remember the full sentence or did not write it full.
• Answer Short Question: go through the practice questions twice for this question type and it should be easier to answer them in the exam.
- Writing: number of questions and average marks by question type
| Question Type | Min – Max | Reading | Writing |
| Summarise written Text | 2 – 3 | 10 | 10 |
| Write Essay | 1 -2 | 11 |
• Summarise written Text: pick up two or three main sentences and add them together by putting “and”, “but”, “however”, “in addition to” etc in the middle. You can’t write more than one sentence here.
• Write Essay: memorise a set format if you are not quick at typing or brainstorming. Else you may write on your own if you don’t make any grammatical mistakes.
- Reading: number of questions and average marks by question type
(Note: The Reading question does not come in the same order)
| Question Type | Min – Max | Reading | Writing |
| MCQ Single Answer | 2 – 3 | 1 | |
| MCQ Multiple Answer | 2 – 3 | 3 | |
| Re-order Paragraph | 2 – 3 | 6 | |
| Fill in the blanks (Reading) * | 4 – 5 | 15 | |
| Fill in the blanks (Reading and Writing) * | 5 – 6 | 22 | 22 |
• MCQ Single Answer, MCQ Multiple Answer those are not so important, go through those questions once just to be familiarised with.
• Re-order Paragraph: check the E2 language website or YouTube channel to get a good understanding of this question, they have some very good tips and tricks for this one.
• Fill in the blanks (Reading): being good with grammar is important for all types of the blank. Practice all repeated questions (around 400 questions) and most likely it will be easier to attempt in the exam.
• Fill in the blanks (Reading and Writing): it is one of the highest marking question. If the marks are getting less in Writing and Reading, this is the first question to focus on. It also has around 400 most repeated questions and it is highly advisable to practice those.
(Extra Break can be taken here between Reading and Listening in the exam for up to 10 minutes)
- Listening: number of questions and average marks by question type
| Question Type | Min – Max | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| Summarise Spoken Text * | 2 – 3 | 13 | 22 | |
| MCQ Multiple Answer (Listening) | 2 – 3 | 3 | ||
| Fill in the blanks (Listening) | 2 – 3 | 7 | 7 | |
| Highlight Correct Summary | 2 – 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| MCQ Single Answer (Listening) | 2 – 3 | 1 | ||
| Select Missing Word | 2 – 3 | 1 | ||
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 2 – 3 | 8 | 9 | |
| Write from Dictation * | 3 – 4 | 20 | 27 |
• Summarise Spoken Text: first part of this question is a bit of like Retell lecture, note-taking is important and the summary should be written in 50-70 words.
• Fill in the blanks (Listening): spelling is very important in this question. Practice all those vocabulary from PTE academics to avoid any spelling error.
• Highlight Incorrect Words: concentration is highly required in this question. The wrong highlight has negative marking here. So be careful while ticking any incorrect word.
• Write from Dictation: most important and very high marking question. Practise is the key for this one. If you are not sure about the spelling of a word when you write the sentence, you can write the it twice.
e.g.: “The field fields of history have always been difficult to define defines”
• MCQ Multiple Answer (Listening), MCQ Single Answer (Listening), Highlight Correct Summary, Select Missing Word: don’t waste too much time on practicing those questions as those contain very less mark. Just go through them once or twice just to be.familiarised.
- Help and resource:
There are various PTE materials available online. Search on Google or YouTube for different practice materials. Below are some sites for practicing PTE at home:
– https://pearsonpte.com/preparation/