1. What are the tips to attempt PTE Retell lecture?

Re-tell lecture assesses listening and speaking skill. It can be tested by either listening to the audio or watching a video clip. The task is to retell the content of the lecture in your own words. The length of the audio/video is 90 seconds and you have 10 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to respond.

To prepare for this section you can practice by listening to podcast, audios and video clips. Retell the lecture basically lies in the test taker’s listening abilities. This means you have to improve on listening to understand. The above-mentioned tools can be used to understand pronunciation, to get accustomed to different accents and also to learn the art of identifying key points. So the test taker has to practice as much as possible.

During the test, the advice in this section is to take note of keywords or key phrases and write them on the note pad. This will help you remember the content of the audio.

2. How can I improve my writing communicative skills?

Writing involves summarizing written text and essay writing. To score high in this section a lot of practice is required but there are also other factors that contribute to a better score. In essay writing, you have to be aware that the word limit is 200-300 words. Understanding the question well is beneficial to deliver an appropriate answer. Therefore read the instruction and the question thoroughly. The format structure and the communication tone of the essay must be academic. This means there should be an introduction, body and conclusion. The different sections have to flow and connect for a better understanding.

When summarizing the written text the given passage the advice is to be short and precise. A summary depicts the important points of the written content, therefore, writing many words may lead to straying off topic. In both scenarios, it is always wise to re-read when you are done writing to check and correct any errors.

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3. Will I know if the how much time is left?

PTE Academic assesses three sections namely speaking and writing (together), listening and reading. Each section is individually timed with the timer showing a countdown on the screen. So yes you will know.

4. Can I correct my answers during the test?

In multiple choice question, you can select a different answer by first deselecting the previous one and in typed responses, you can use cut, copy and paste options. Corrections must be made before advancing to the next sections. In spoken response re-recording is not allowed and the microphone automatically switches off if you pause for three seconds.

5. In PTE Academic, after speaking, should I click next or wait for the recording status to complete automatically?

The safest bet is to click next to avoid any mishap that might temper with your answers such as noise at the end of the exam. However, you don’t lose score since the recording cuts after 3 seconds of pausing or if the time has elapsed.

6. Will I be penalized for wrong answers?

There is negative marking in multiple choice questions and multiple choice answers. Only 1 mark is awarded for the correct answer, therefore, if you get it wrong you will lose 1 mark. Another area where negative marking is applied is highlight incorrect words question. Therefore to avoid losing marks unnecessarily only provide an answer if you are certain that it is correct.

7. Can I take notes during the test?

Yes. There are 4/5 A4 clean sheet provided for rough work and notes taking. If you need more sheets just raise your hands and the examiner will assist you more.

8. What if there is a problem with the equipment? (e.g. microphone)

Before the test begins there is time to test the equipment and to report any fault. If during the exam you encounter problems with the equipment, just raise your hands and the examiner will assist you. NB!! Any problem encountered during the must immediately be reported to the examiner. Depending on the magnitude of the problem, the examiner may need to take a record and report it as well. So speak up!

9. Will my accent affect PTE speaking test score?

The answer is no. If your accent doesn’t affect your communication ability then you can use any accent. For speaking skills, the trick is to be audible and have clear communication. Do not speak fast; just flow naturally with ease. Relax!

10. Is there specific eligibility criteria for PTE Academics

No. The test is open to anyone who is willing to study or word in countries where English is the first language.  The test score is a requirement to prove English language proficiency.

11. I have a problem in remembering and repeating the sentence in the Repeat Sentence section of PTE Academic test. How can I improve?

Preparation and practising with different English language media is an important key here. In most cases, short term memory goes hand in hand with a lack of concentration and lack of good listening skills. Therefore it is important to improve on all three factors. Practice by doing one task and devoting all your time to it without distraction or doing something else. This will increase alertness and concentration on the task at hand. During the exam, it is important to take note of keywords or words that will make it easier to remember what was said and write them down.   

12. What are some good tips on “Describe Diagram” on PTE Academic?

The image can either be a graph or a pie chart. You have 25 seconds to prepare your answer and actually 40 seconds to respond. The student is advised to provide a brief introduction of the picture. Graphs and pie chart have values, therefore, the student may describe the lowest, middle and highest value lastly the conclusion.