How to Prepare for PTE in 10 Days: Action Plan

PTE is a computer-based English language test that is suitable for those who are planning to study abroad. It has three parts: reading, listening, speaking & writing. If you want to score well on the exam, you definitely need to prepare yourself. This article will introduce a 10-day plan that will tell you what to focus on every day and help you get ready for the exam. If you are interested, keep reading!

📝 Day #1-2: Learn PTE Exam Format & PTE Score

Before coming to the exam, it is important to get familiar with its format and structure. Here you will find an exam preparation guide that explains the format and the scoring system!

Here you can see how much time you will have for each section:

• Speaking & Writing (77-93 minutes)
• Reading (32-41 minutes)
• Listening (45-57 minutes)

Part 1: PTE Speaking & Writing Format

The Speaking & Writing section of the exam takes from 77 to 93 minutes. This section of the test consists of 8 parts. Each part tests a different set of skills and includes various questions.

First, you will need to introduce yourself.

You have 25 seconds to prepare yourself and read the prompt and 30 seconds to record the answer.

Your personal introduction in PTE is not evaluated, but it is sent together with the score report to the institution you have previously chosen.

Question Type	Communicative Skills	Scoring
Read Aloud	Reading and speaking	13 points – maximum score: 3 points – content, 5 points – oral fluency, 5 points – pronunciation.
Repeat Sentence	Listening and speaking	13 points – maximum score: 3 points – content, 5 points – oral fluency, 5 points – pronunciation.
Describe Image	Speaking	15 points – maximum score: 5 points – content, 5 points – oral fluency, 5 points – pronunciation.
Re-tell Lecture	Listening and speaking	15 points – maximum score: 5 points – content, 5 points – oral fluency, 5 points – pronunciation.
Answer Short Question	Listening and speaking	Correct/Incorrect: 1 point – correct answer 0 points – incorrect response or no response
Summarize Written Text	Reading and writing	7 points – maximum score: 2 points – content, 1 point – formal requirements, 2 points – grammar, 2 points – vocabulary.
Essay	Writing	15 points – maximum score: 3 points – content, 2 points – formal requirements, 2 points – development, structure, and coherence, 2 points – grammar, 2 points – general linguistic range, 2 points – vocabulary rang, 2 points – no spelling errors.

Part 2: PTE Reading

The reading part of the exam takes from 32 to 41 minutes. One single-timed section has 15-20 questions that test a variety of skills. There are five types of questions in total in the reading section. In the table below, we’ve prepared for you a list of possible questions.

Question Type	Description	Scoring
Multiple-choice, choose a single answer	You need to read the text and select one response for each question based on the content or tone of the text.	Correct answer – 1 point Incorrect answer – 0
Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers	You need to answer the question by choosing the most suitable responses from the list based on the idea or tone of the text.	Correct answer – 1 point Incorrect answer – -1 It is not possible to score below 0 for this type of question.
Re-order paragraphs	You have to read the paragraph and rearrange sentences by putting them in the correct order.	Correct answer – 1 point. If the whole paragraph is in the right order, you get full marks.
Reading: Fill in the blanks	You need to select one correct answer from the 6-8 words given. Not all words in the box should be used.	Correct answer – 1 point
Reading and writing: Fill in the blanks	You need to select one of the five options in each drop-down list to fill in the blank spaces.	Correct answer – 1 point

Part 3: PTE Listening

This section of the test takes 45-57 minutes and consists of 8 types of questions.

Question	Description	Scoring
Summarize spoken text	You will hear the recording and be given 10 minutes to write a summary of what you heard. Your summary should have not less than 50 words and not more than 70 words.	10 points – maximum score: 2 points – content, 2 – form, 2 – grammar, 2 – vocabulary, 2 – spelling.
Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers	You will be given information and 7 seconds to read it. After that, you will hear a 40-90 second recording. You should select all the correct options.	Correct answer – 1 point Incorrect answer – -1 It is not possible to score below 0 for this type of question.
Fill in the blanks	You will be given information and 7 seconds to read it. After that, you will hear a 30-60 second recording. You should fill in all the blank spaces as you listen to the recording.	Correct answer – 1 point Words should be spelled correctly.
Highlight correct summary	You should select only one correct response.	Correct/Incorrect
Multiple-choice, choose a single answer	You have to choose one option.	Correct/Incorrect
Select missing word	You need to predict the last word or words of the text to complete the task.	Correct/Incorrect
Highlight incorrect words	You need to select the words that are incorrect and do not match the recording.	Correct answer – 1 point Incorrect answer – -1 It is not possible to score below 0 for this type of question.
Write from dictation	You will be given a short recording. After listening to it, type the sentence in the response box.	Correct answer – 1 point The words should be placed in the right order and spelled correctly.

How PTE Score Works?

PTE Academic is scored according to the Global Scale of English. Global Scale of English is a thermometer-style scale that gives you an accurate overview of your skills. The PTE Academic Score Report includes:

• The overall score
• Communicative skills scores
• Enabling skills scores

Type of Score	Description	Scoring
The overall score	Reflects the overall English language ability.	10-90
Communicative skills scores	Includes listening, reading, speaking, and writing	10-90
Enabling skills scores	Includes grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse	10-90

For more detail, go to the PTE Academic Score Guide!

🖊️ Day #3: Take PTE Practice Test

Practicing as much as you can is important if you want to get a high score during the exam. PTE offers a lot of opportunities for students to practice.

You can find a variety of mock tests on the official website. These tests will help you to prepare for the actual exam. Doing the tests will help you to understand what sections you should focus on more. Another option is the PTE Official Academic App.

It prioritizes the essential practice activities you need to focus on to make the preparation process easier. The app contains a lot of useful resources and guidelines.

📉 Day #4: Focus on Weaknesses for the Best PTE Results

In order to do well in the exam, it is crucial to focus on the weaknesses, even if it seems easier to keep improving things you already excel at. Doing so will help you to improve the overall score faster and more efficiently.

If your weakness is…	Solution
Speaking	If you want to improve your speaking skills, you can watch movies or listen to podcasts in English. Try to repeat words after the speaker. You can also practice talking to your English-speaking friends if you have any. It is important to surround yourself with English and use it at any given opportunity.
Writing	If you struggle with writing, the best way to improve is to practice a lot. The more essays you write, the better. Eventually, you will definitely get the hang of it! Look up topics that may come during the exam, learn more transition phrases, and start writing essays.
Reading	Try reading daily. That way, you will get used to the language used in different types of articles and learn new vocabulary.
Listening	Try listening to podcasts or watching movies in English daily. It can be a good idea to listen to things while on the road, in cafes, or in noisy places. That will improve your ability to concentrate, and you will start to grasp information quickly.

💡 Day #5: Learn These 4 General PTE Tips

For successful PTE preparation, we prepare these 4 wonderful PTE tips. Let’s dive in!

PTE Tip #1: Be Familiar with the Test

If you plan to do the PTE exam, it is highly recommended to learn about the structure and format of the test first. During the exam, you might not have a lot of time, so you need to be prepared and understand the requirements of each task. Don’t forget to read the instructions carefully!

PTE TIP #2: Remember the Time Limit

Another thing that you have to keep in mind during the exam is timing. You have to remember that each section has limited time, and you need to answer the questions quite fast to finish all of them. If you find it hard to answer a particular question, it is better to skip it and come back to it later if you have enough.

PTE Tip #3: Stick to the Plan

If you want to get good PTE results, you need to stick up to the study plan. It takes time and patience to learn about the exam and to prepare yourself. During the actual examination, try not to panic and remember all the things you have learned. Then you will definitely succeed in your PTE test.

PTE Tip #4: Learn New Words Daily

If you are taking the PTE test and want to score well, vocabulary should be at the top of your priority list. The more words you have stored, the easier it is to understand or write a text and express your thoughts. Studying at least 20 new words per day can be helpful. It will enable you to use more expressions and powerful words while writing an essay. It will not only help you to score more points but will also make the writing process more manageable.

✏️ Day #6-7: PTE Speaking & Writing Tips

In this section, we offer you lots of excellent PTE speaking and PTE writing tips. Let’s go!

Top PTE Speaking Tips

PTE Speaking Tip #1: Listen More

Every section is equally important if you want to get a good overall score. If you try to score well in the speaking part, you should pay attention to your pronunciation. Listening as much as you can is one way to improve your speaking skills and work on your pronunciation. Here is the list of websites that can come in handy:

• BBC
• TED
• NPR News
• Car Talk
• BBC Hard Talk

PTE Speaking Tip #2: Train Your Pronunciation

Pronouncing words clearly is important. If you slur your words or put the wrong stress, it will lower your chances of getting a high score. When studying for the exam, try to repeat the phrases after the speaker. Pause the video you are watching and try to replicate the pronunciation of a native speaker.

PTE Speaking Tip #3: Maintain Normal Speed

You should keep in mind that speaking fast does not mean speaking correctly. During the test, it is better if you keep the normal speed. It will make your pronunciation clearer and give you more time to think. That way, you will be understood and will avoid unnecessary mistakes.

PTE Speaking Tip #4: Prepare Your PTE Personal Introduction

A personal introduction is the first part of the speaking section. Even though this part will not be evaluated, it is better to have a good start. Here is the template that includes some questions that you can use for the introduction part!

Questions	Example
What is your name?	Hi, my name’s Kim Jae-won. I’m eighteen, I’m from Seoul, and I’m in my final year of high school. I plan to study literature in college because it’s something that I am interested in the most. A school would be interested in me because I belong to a poetry and theatre club. We compose our own poems and perform plays. If the school I’m accepted at does not have a similar club, I could start one.
How old are you?
Where are you from?
What year of school are you in now, or where do you work?
What are you planning to study, and why?

Top PTE Writing Tips

PTE Writing Tip #1: Use This PTE Essay Template

Using template phrases will help you to save time and structure your essay better.

Introduction	As [Author] indicated/ stated/ discovered According to [Author] As seen in …is demonstrated by/ through/ when
Main Body	Argument 1: On the one hand First Some people say/consider Some people agree/disagree with the idea Supporters of the idea maintain that Argument 2: However In spite of On the other hand Nevertheless Nonetheless Contrary Second Opponents of this idea claim
Conclusion	Finally In brief, briefly In conclusion Thus To conclude To summarize To sum up

PTE Writing Tip #2: Know the Rules

To get high scores in the exam, you need to follow the rules. Remember to:

• pay attention to the instructions and the word limit (200-300 words)
• read the topic and know the type of essay
• ensure that you write in academic English language
• write in clear and concise paragraphs
• be sure to write correct spellings and punctuation
• support your ideas with relevant examples
• always proofread the essay after completing it by spending 2-3 minutes

PTE Writing Tip #3: Learn to Summarize

If you want to score high in the writing part of the exam, you need to learn how to summarize. One of the tasks in the section asks you to summarize the written text. You will have 10 minutes to do the task; for that reason, you need to be aware of the time limit. Using complex or compound sentences such as: “When we won the state championship, the team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered.” will help you get a higher score.

📚 Day #8: PTE Tips for Reading

Reading is a challenging part of the test. But we’re sure if you follow these PTE tips for reading, you’ll succeed!

PTE Reading Tip #1: Read Regularly

One of the efficient ways to improve your English is to read as much and as often as you can. Reading news daily is especially helpful. If you read a formal new website, you start to see how sentences work and how they are put together. When you read some more light-hearted magazines, you get a grasp of less formal language. Resources that you use while preparing for the exam are essential. Getting into academic literature can help you a great deal. You can use such websites as:

• BBC News Magazine
• National Geographic
• ABC News
• British Council
• The New York Times
• The Guardian
• The Daily Mail
• Entrepreneur
• Fast Company
• Forbes
• The Economist

PTE Reading Tip #2: Use Skimming Technique

When you start working with the passage, you don’t have to stop and read into the text’s details. Getting the general idea of the passage is more important in the skimming part. Finding the topic sentence and keywords can help you understand the main idea of the text. Don’t forget that your objective is to answer as many questions as possible within the given time.

PTE Reading Tip #3: Pay Attention to Keywords

When you read the question, try to locate the keyword or phrase. Scan the text for repeated words or phrases. It will be much easier to find the answer to the question in the text. Underlining the most important phrases or words while skimming the passage can also save a lot of time.

🎧 Day #9: PTE Listening Tips

We know that the listening part is challenging for many students. Follow these PTE listening tips to score well on the exam!

PTE Listening Tip #1: Just Listen!

Try listening to podcasts or watching movies in English daily. The more you listen, the better results you will get. Here are some links you may use:

• CBS Radio News
• CNN Radio
• BBC Hard Talk
• The American Life
• Morning Edition

PTE Listening Tip #2: Try to Practice in a Noisy Room

If you are getting the listening part, it is better to practice in places with background noise, such as cafes or when you travel home from school or work. There is a strong possibility that during the exam, it will not be absolutely quiet. That’s why it is essential to be ready for that.

PTE Listening Tip #3: Stay Focused

Listening – is the last part of the exam. You might be exhausted by that time, and it might be hard to focus. However, it is important to stay concentrated. Take notes and pay attention to details. You might want to keep your notes clean and use the space on your scratch paper wisely.

⏱️ Day #10: Get Ready for the Test Day

On exam day, you should be prepared and not only for the test itself. Check all the necessary documents and time before coming to the test. You should follow all the PTE requirements.

PTE Academic is taken at a test center. You will have to show your ID, check in with the Test Administrator, and sit for your test in a computer room. Here are some tips! Make sure you:

• arrive 30 minutes before your test
• checked in
• passed security
• have your acceptable ID (usually a passport)

Here is the list of all acceptable ID types.

Scoring well in the PTE exam might not be easy, but if you put in effort and time and follow this guide, you will find it a lot easier. Please, leave your comments and suggestions! Good luck!

🔗 References

1. Preparation – Pearson PTE
2. The English Language Test – Pearson PTE
3. Test Format – Pearson PTE
4. About our Scores – Pearson PTE
5. On Test Day – Pearson PTE
6. Tips & Advice – Pearson PTE
7. Improve your Score – Pearson PTE
8. PTE Special Requirements – Pearson PTE
9. Taking the Test – Pearson PTE