Introduction
‘’It’s not the usual exam“, is what one would say if he or she has already taken the Pearson Test of English Academic to any aspiring test taker. The PTE Academic is a computer-based English language test aimed at non-native English speakers considering studying abroad or wanting to migrate to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. I took the exam in the month of February 2020 and thought of it as a unique experience worth sharing with future test takers.
Although IELTS and PTE Academic do serve the same purpose, I personally feel that the latter is a simple yet challenging option to choose. But that is only if one is effective in an all technological environment is simultaneously dealing with the pressure of an exam.
My necessity to give PTE Academic arose when I completed five years in my previous role as a Senior Network Escalation Engineer in India and was considering migrating to Australia. I preferred to give PTE Academic over IELTS as I wanted the flexibility to book my exam for a date of my choice, once I was ready and also to get quicker results.
How did I prepare for the test?
My Preparation Journey
I used the official YouTube channel and website to start with, which got me all that I was looking for. It helped me understand what the exam is all about. It takes you through the test format, the environment of the exam, different test centres and the dos and don’ts.
So, I booked myself a test date which gave me precisely two weeks to prepare.
Now, this may not be an ideal strategy for most of you reading but for me, working under pressure yields results. I decided to go all-in, two weeks dedicated to the English language...Eat, Sleep and Repeat! It's not all that bad as it sounds. If you have your basics in place and by basics, I mean the foundation of the English language which was laid back during school days, you are going to enjoy the journey of the PTE exam.
Similar to IELTS, PTE assesses your level of English skills in three parts comprising four sections.
- Part 1: Speaking and Writing ( 77 – 93 minutes )
- Part 2: Reading (32 – 40 minutes)
- Part 3: Listening (45 – 57 minutes )
The main difference between the IELTS and PTE tests is that PTE has integrated tasks that test more than one language skill, and therefore reflect the combination of skills students need at universities or in professional life.
Here’s an example: In the Speaking section, you are required to read aloud the text displayed on screen into the microphone which is recorded and saved for assessment. While you are speaking and recording, you are reading the text as well. If you fumble or are not able to read the text in one go, your marks in both the speaking and reading sections will be affected.
Study Resources
Now, there is no dearth of course preparation materials online. I do not deny going through the diverse options, if and only if time is your friend, will improve your chances to achieve a great score. I watched videos on YouTube and considered the Official Guide to PTE Academic as my bible.
The official guide provides comprehensive information about the test, which comprises over 200 practice tasks, analysis of sample answers, test-taking tips and more. The book is written by the developers of the test and includes everything you need to know.
It’s a must-have!
You should also attempt a couple of Practice Tests before you register for the exam. Below are some links to access official course material.
Key Strategies
Assuming that readers are aware of how and what each section comprises of and tests, I shall only emphasize what to keep in mind especially while preparing :
SPEAKING SECTION
- Read Aloud: ENUNCIATE Make this word you're new going to! It simply means to lay emphasis or stress on key areas of the text being read aloud into the microphone.
- Repeat Sentence: Ideally what you want is to be able to repeat the sentence 100 per cent, but do not worry if you miss a few words. You will also be awarded points for comprehending and replicating the meaning of the sentence.
- Describe Image: Even if you are blessed with the gift of the gab, you might just want help on this. There are 40 seconds to speak relevant information describing the image. Sticking to a template certainly helps.
- Re-tell lecture: Two things that you will pray that stay sharp for this section are:
- Ability to grasp the various key points rattled by the speaker
- Noting down those points as fast as you can
- If you successfully do this, all you need to do is imagine re-telling the lecture to your friend who missed out on it and wants to write an answer that’s going to save his day in just 40 seconds!
5. Answer short questions: Get hold of as many practice questions as you can. Memorize the answers. It mostly gets repeated in the exam.
WRITING SECTION
- Summarize Written Text: The key is to write one sentence on-screen ( ideal word limit: 55 words) that captures the gist of the entire paragraph. Identify new key points, do not REPEAT the same key point. Do not describe a process, write facts and figures. What you need to do is summarize the key points in one continuous sentence.
- Essay: Easiest is to follow the four-paragraph rule:
- P1 Introduction (paraphrasing helps)
- P2 & P3: Lay forth your views towards and against the topic. Support the arguments using relevant examples.
- P4: Conclusion (summarize points introduced in P2 and P3. A strong conclusion will boost your scores.)
READING SECTION
- Multiple-choice, single & multiple answers: When you start practising, you may feel that it eats on your time. You need to keep in mind that time is ticking away and you cannot afford to let it slip on these sections. Spend at most a minute and a half which includes reading and choosing your answer.
- Re-order paragraph: Even if you do not get the entire order correct, you may still grab points for ordered pairs.
For Example: Scrambled order : 4,5,3,2,1
Correct order : 2,3,4,1,5
Your answer: 3,4,2,1,5 (As you have placed 3-4 & 1-5 pairs correctly, you may still get some marks even though your answer does not match the correct order.)
3. Reading & Reading-Writing Fill in the blanks: This I personally feel is the most important section in Reading. If you miss this because you spent excess time on other sections, just be prepared to book another test date. I am not joking, that’s the gravity of this subsection.
LISTENING SECTION
In this section, you are bound to write continuously in the notepad so as to get a hold of key points being introduced by the speaker.
- Summarize Spoken text: Key points are the KEY. Just keep hearing for new key points introduced by the speaker. Do not let your marker pen stop, get as much information on the notepad. Jot down the key points in a way that makes sense. While you are writing the summary, it's important to keep the tone formal.
- Multiple-choice multiple/single answers: Stay sharp in listening to what is being spoken. Understanding the intent of the speaker will help you choose correct answers.
- Highlight the Correct Summary: Note down the key points. Do not repeat key points. Do not write facts and figures. Pay special attention to the ending of the spoken text. The option with the ending point at times is the correct answer.
- Fill in the blanks: Keep filling in the blanks as the recording plays. Use tab to move between blanks.
- Select Missing word: The key is to comprehend what is being spoken. If you are able to understand the intent of the speaker, it helps you choose the missing word.
- Highlight Incorrect Words: Follow the paragraph using the mouse cursor, word by word and click on the word that does not match with the ones spoken in the recording.
- Write from Dictation: Ideally the last four questions are WFD, you miss one, be prepared to book another test. You will lose marks in the writing section if you miss out on Write from Dictation. This is the most important sub-section. Practice as many WFDs as you can.
Conclusion
- I know the preparation strategies for individuals differ. But keeping these tips in mind will not go in vain when you are out there on your test day sitting in front of the computer screen inside one of the many PTE test centres, hoping to get your ideal score.
- I scored an overall 85 by following these strategies. There is certainly no shortcut to achieving a 79 plus. As the environment of the test is computer-based, you need to ensure that you are comfortable having a headset ON all through the duration of the test, writing with as few errors on a computer screen using a keyboard, listening and grasping key points and most importantly answering your questions under a time constraint.
- If you follow a routine and practice diligently, I am sure you will achieve your desired score.