Are you about to take a PTE examination but still don’t know how to ace the test?
If yes, you’ve come to the right place! The fast-paced nature of PTE adds an extra layer of difficulty to the exam.
That’s why many test-takers are drowning in anxiety before the test day. Don’t worry; we will guide you on how to get a good score in PTE with 9 simple tips!
9 Tips To Get A Good Score In PTE
Tip #1. Evaluate Your English Level And Areas For Improvement
Starting everything from scratch may be challenging. So, the first step is to determine where you are standing on the English proficiency ladder.
You can take a self-evaluation test or even a PTE mock test to see how many points you can get at the moment.
Additionally, the test will help you identify areas for improvement – which components you perform the worst. This way, you can spend more time refining those skills.
Knowing your English level and weaknesses, it’s easier to set measurable goals and outline a study plan to reach that target.
Tip #2. Improve Your Vocabulary And Grammar
Vocabulary and grammar are the groundwork for any PTE candidate. Without them, you can’t get a high score on this PTE examination.
Even when your mind is an idea factory, there is no way to articulate it clearly if you lack vocabulary or have poor grammar.
Therefore, it’s best to expand your vocabulary as much as possible, covering various topics that can appear in the test. If learning words by heart dampens your motivation, you can study with flashcards or play games.
We advise putting new words in phrases or sentences to understand their uses while further improving your grammar.
Tip #3. Work On Your Spelling
As a non-native speaker, you don’t need to pronounce all words perfectly. What you should master here is to focus on spelling common words correctly, including their vowel and ending sounds.
By that, we mean you should review the previous tests and make sure you can pronounce all those words accurately.
Also, don’t blame yourself too much if you make a spelling mistake during the test. It’s acceptable to mispronounce some words as long as your overall pronunciation is okay. The most important thing is to convey your message clearly and effectively.
Tip #4. Read Out Loud A Lot
Reading can help your English in various ways, not only in reading skills but also in vocabulary, grammar, writing, and speaking.
Articles written by professionals undoubtedly serve as references to learn new technical terms. You can also understand how they put those words into practice and imitate them in your test.
So, just by reading, you can improve vocabulary and grammar while honing your writing skills. But why read out loud? Here’s the trick: that’s an effective way to refine your pronunciation, intonation, and speaking over time!
The best thing is that you can practice anywhere and anytime. For example, you can read some online newspapers or magazines when on a bus or train.
Tip #5. Practice Your Writing
Writing can be the most difficult component of the test, as it takes a long time to progress. The only way to master this skill is to write, write, and write. Otherwise, even if you have a rich vocabulary, you will have a hard time expressing your ideas concisely and logically.
You can review past PTE tests and practice writing with those topics. However, it’s best to work on different fields because the PTE writing section encompasses various topics.
Remember that there is no need to write complex sentences in your essay. Instead, keep them short and sweet, covering all the points required.
Tip #6. Think And Speak In English
Training your thinking mind is no easy feat. Most of the time, your flow of thoughts will be in your mother language. However, try to think in
English as much as possible to sharpen your mind and mental flexibility.
This way, whenever you encounter a new topic, you can arrange your ideas and speak more easily. It’s also equally important to speak English every day.
You can stand in front of a mirror to practice and correct yourself or find a friend to talk with.
Tip #7. Hone Your Listening Skills
Apart from writing, listening is also a nightmare for most students out there.
The reason is that everyone has their own accent and speaking pace. Under the time pressure during the test, it’s hard to catch up with what people are saying.
That’s why you have to exercise your listening skills frequently. Find some of your favorite videos, podcasts, films, movies, and so on, and listen to them every day. Believe us; only 30 minutes a day can make a big difference.
One thing to note is that you should choose different topics with various accents to get used to them. It’s even better if you can imitate those speakers to hone your intonation and speaking at the same time.
Tip #8. Take Online Courses And Mock Tests
Mock tests are a great source for practicing all four components of PTE.
They give you an overview of how each part of the examination takes place and what topics mostly appear. Familiarizing yourself with the question types and time pressure can come a long way in conquering PTE.
Besides, online courses are also a practical option where professional trainers accompany you every step of the way. They will point out your weaknesses and assist you in improving them.
However, there are many training sites available, many of which come with subpar quality. You should do careful research to find reputable and trustworthy websites before enrolling in any courses.
Tip #9. Things To Remember On The Exam Day
The closer the exam day, the more anxious you become. Keep in mind these notes to stay calm during the test:
- Check your computer, mouse, and keyboard before taking the exam.
- Don’t cram too much the night before the exam day.
- Read the prompts carefully, and remember to review your answers before submitting.
- Allocate your time wisely. Don’t focus too much on a single question.
- Skip questions when necessary, especially in the listening section.
Conclusion
That’s our short guide on how to get a good score in PTE.
The 9 tips above can give you suggestions for your study schedule. However, they are not tailored to everyone.
You should adjust your plan based on your current English level rather than follow the same route as others.