PTE

PTE Guide: Your Ticket to Study in Australia

Fulfill your dream of studying in Australia or New Zealand by clearing the PTE test with flying colors. If you’ve ever wondered how to get a good PTE score and the factors that affect your chances of success, this definitive guide will surely come to your aid. Start preparing today with the help of our experts and improve your chances!

What is PTE?

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) is a computer-based academic English language test aimed at non-native English speakers who want to study abroad. PTE was started by Pearson in 2009 and is one of the latest entrants in the field of testing English language proficiency for non-native speakers.

To complete a PTE Academic test, applicants must attend a secure Pearson Test center. The test has three main parts: reading, writing, and speaking. It includes twenty different question formats, ranging from multiple choice to essay writing and interpreting information. The whole test is conducted in a single session lasting three hours and is computer-based.

The three parts of a PTE exam are:

Part 1: Speaking and Writing Part 1 assesses your speaking and writing skills. The duration of this test is around 77-93 minutes. During the speaking test, your skills will be tested by your ability to produce spoken English in an academic environment. The writing test will require you to write answers in academic English using correct grammar and spelling.

Speaking and Writing test includes:

  • Personal Introduction
  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat Sentence
  • Describe Image
  • Re-tell Lecture
  • Answer Short Question
  • Summarize Written Text
  • Essay

Part 2: Reading Part 2 is a timed test that contains 15-20 integrated skills items. Different response formats, including multiple choice, re-order paragraphs, and fill in the blanks, are used to test your ability to read, write, and listen to data provided in English. The test duration is around 32-41 minutes.

Reading test includes:

  • Multiple Choice Questions (Choose a single answer)
  • Multiple Choice Questions (Choose multiple answers)
  • Re-order Paragraphs
  • Reading: Fill in the blanks
  • Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks

Part 3: Listening Part 3 includes questions based on audio or video clips. You must listen to each clip carefully, and you are allowed to take notes as well.

Listening test includes:

  • Summarize Spoken Text
  • Multiple Choice Questions (Choose multiple answers)
  • Fill in the blanks
  • Highlight Correct Summary
  • Multiple Choice Questions (Choose a single answer)
  • Select Missing Word
  • Highlight Incorrect Words
  • Write from Dictation

PTE Academic vs. PTE General

There are two types of PTE exams: PTE Academic and PTE General. Let’s explore the differences between these two exams:

  • PTE Academic has four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
  • PTE General is divided into two sections: a written paper (which includes listening, reading comprehension, and writing) and a spoken test.

The PTE Academic exam score is valid for two years from the date of issue. However, PTE General exam scores do not have a validity limitation.

The PTE General exam is held in May, December, and June. The PTE Academic exam is held in more than 200 locations over 360 days a year.

PTE Academic is primarily beneficial for applicants seeking admission to universities or institutions, while PTE General focuses more on testing realistic communication skills.

Prerequisites

To sit for a PTE exam, you must provide acceptable identification documents, typically your passport. The same ID details used during booking the test must be presented on the day of the exam. Please ensure you bring the original ID.

Preparation Tips for PTE

Here are some key preparation tips for the PTE exam:

  • Write full sentences with proper punctuation.
  • Paraphrasing is crucial as you can lose marks if you repeat many words.
  • Arrive early to the exam center so you have ample time to settle yourself before the test begins.
  • Practice with sample question papers and focus on improving your time management skills.
  • The best way to prepare for the test is to join a class and receive face-to-face or online tuition.

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Official Website: www.pearsonpte.com

Factors to Consider for the PTE Test

Time Management Time is one of the most crucial factors in the PTE test. Most questions have a set timer, and others have a collective time limit. Ensure you manage your time efficiently, as failing to answer within the time limits will result in losing marks.

Negative Marking Some questions in the PTE exam have negative marking. Incorrect answers could result in a loss of points.

Scoring Pattern It is important to understand the scoring pattern as you are judged based on your English language skills. You will be evaluated on both communicative and enabling skills.

Average Score Required The overall score range is 10-90 points. The score required can differ based on the application type. For example, if you are applying for a student visa, you may not need a perfect score in each section. However, for PR visas, you will need to score higher.

PTE vs. IELTS

While IELTS and PTE share similarities, there are some key differences:

  • IELTS evaluates speaking abilities through live conversation, while PTE is entirely computer-based.
  • PTE results are computer-based, ensuring reliability and eliminating human bias in scoring, whereas IELTS results are released 13 days after the test.
  • PTE exams can be taken on any date, whereas IELTS is available only on fixed days throughout the year.

Sending Your Scores

Follow these steps to send your PTE score to your preferred university:

  1. Log in to your PTE account.
  2. Click ‘View score reports’.
  3. Click ‘Send scores’.
  4. Search for your institution by name.
  5. Review your details and click ‘Next’ to confirm.

You can take the PTE exam as many times as you wish, with a gap of five days between attempts. You can reschedule your exam online up to three days before the scheduled date. Be mindful that rescheduling within three days may result in forfeiting the exam fee.

The results for the PTE exam are usually available within five business days from your test date.

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