Speaking and Writing

This two are tested together and the time allocated is 77-93 minutes. The test taker is assessed on his/her ability to speak and write in an academic manner. The questions follow this format: Personal introduction, read aloud, repeat sentence, describe an image, re-tell lecture, answer the short question, summarise written text and the essay.

The personal introduction

gives the test taker an opportunity to provide his/her personal information which will be sent together with the scorecard to the institution selected by the test taker. This section is not scored. The test taker has 25 seconds of preparation and 30 seconds to respond.

Read aloud 

prompts the test taker to read up to 60 words text displayed on the screen. This area assesses speaking and reading. There is a clock countdown of 30-40 seconds and during this time the test taker has to prepare and practice answer. At the end of the timer, a soft tone will come on after which you should start recording your answer.

Repeat the sentence   

 

assesses the listening and speaking skills. The task is to listen to an audio of 3-9 seconds and repeat the content of the audio within 15 seconds. In this case, there is no tone to alert the test taker to start speaking, therefore, you have to figure when to start speaking on your own.

 

Describe image   

 

assesses speaking. The task here is to describe the image or chart displayed on the screen. There is 25 seconds preparation and when it elapses the tone will come on giving the test taker the signal to provide his/her answer.

 

• First, start by giving out the general description then concentrate on the important data. E.g. if it is a graph highlight the lowest point and the highest point and their significance

 

• 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.
• Take note of keyword and key phrases since they make it easier to remember the content of the audio/video.
• Write any important information in your notebook.

 

• Answer short question assesses listening and speaking. The audio of 3-9 seconds long plays after which the test taker has to answer in just a few words in just 10 seconds.
• Keep your answer as short as possible. A single word or just a short phrase will suffice.
• Avoid giving explanations; just stick to your answer. Eg. If the answer is cow just say cow. “Don’t say It is a cow because it has horns and looks like a buffalo”

 

• Summarizing written text assesses reading and writing. The task is to summarize 300 words written text displayed on the screen in 10 minutes.
• Essay assesses writing –The test taker is required to write a 200-300 words essay in 20 minutes on a given topic/subject.

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Reading

The test questions in this section follow this format: fill in the blanks, multiple choice question, re-order and paragraphs. It is allocated 32-41 minutes.

 

• Multiple choice questions assess reading. This task is divided into two parts. In part 1, the task is to select one correct answer after reading a passage of 110 words. In part two, the task is to answer questions based on a 300 words passage or written text by selecting more than one appropriate answer.
• In this section, a learner, may skim and scan through the written text and the questions to understand their content. Then an in-depth reading for better understanding followed by answer selection.
• Remember there is negative marking in this section, therefore, select your answers wisely.

 

• Re-order paragraph requires a proper arrangement of written text. There are two columns opposite to each other; in one column, is written sentences placed in random order and the other column is empty. The test taker has to arrange the written sentences to make a sound paragraph by dragging the text into the empty column.
• Read the paragraphs carefully to enable you to make sense of the order.
• Sentences with connectors such as however and moreover are normally within the body of the paragraph not at the beginning.
• Look out for “time” and “years” as they may help set the order of the paragraph. For example, if one paragraph goes something like “in 1954 there was….” then another paragraph goes like “Then in 1955 they started…..” It is easier to see which one comes first here.

 

• Fill in the blanks is divided into two parts. In part one, a written text with missing words is displayed on the screen and below the text are various words from which the test taker has to select a right answer by dragging it to the blank space. In part two the test taker is provided with a 300 words text that has blank spaces. The task is to select the correct answer from the dropdown menu.
• Read the sentences with missing words and try to find out the type of words missing. Is it a noun, verb or adverb? Then fill in the missing words.
• While reading, don’t skip any words and read the passage until the end sometimes it can only make sense if you read until the end.

 

 

 

Listening 

 

Part 3 which is the last part of the PTE Academics is listening and it assesses the listening and writing skills. This section is allocated 45-57 minutes with the following questioning format: Summarize spoken text, fill in the blanks, highlight correct summary, select missing word, highlight incorrect words, write from dictation, multiple choice choose multiple answers and multiple choice, choose a single answer.

 

• Summarize spoken text assesses listening and writing. The task is to summarize the content of the audio in 50-70 words. At the end of the audio, the test taker has 60-90 seconds to deliver their response.

 

• On this section, the test taker must use the provided writing material to note keywords and key phrases. These could be dates, names, events and other similar words that will make it easier for the learner to remember the content of the audio.
• Type the summary without giving much attention to the word count just so you could have all the important details then edit afterwards.

 

• Multiple Choice questions assess listening skills. It is divided into two parts. In part 1, the test taker has to select multiple answers based on the content of the audio. This part is 40-90 seconds long. In part two, you only select one correct answer after listening to the audio.

 

• The keywords are still important in this section, so scan through provided answers as it will be able to spot a relevant option
• Remember there is negative marking in multiple-choice therefore answer with caution.
• Listen to the audio attentively until it ends. Sometimes answers are towards the end.

 

• Fill in the blanks assesses listening and writing skills. There will be a passage with blank spaces. The task is to fill in the blanks in 30-60 seconds with appropriate words learned from the content of the audio.

 

• Tips for this part of the question is to quickly scan through the written text just to get an idea of what it is all about.
• Try to type the missing words as the audio plays or simply write down your answers on the notepad. NB! Check spelling and other errors before submitting your answers

 

• Highlight correct summary and highlight incorrect words assess listening and reading skills. In both scenarios, there will be an audio playing a lecture. In highlight correct summary, the task taker has to select a summarized paragraph that best describes the content of the audio in 30-90 seconds. In highlight incorrect words, there is written text whose content matches the content of the audio. The task is to select words different from the written text.

 

• In highlight correct summary, you must note the words repeated both on the summary and the audio.
• Skim through the given options while the audio is still playing taking note of keywords, repeated word and so on.
• Remember summarizing involves paraphrasing and cutting out unnecessary words. Be accustomed to the art of summarizing
• In highlight incorrect words be alert and have your mouse ready to click any word that differs from the audio. In this section, you have an option to deselect wrong answers and reselect the right one. However, wait for the audio to finish in order to avoid missing other words then go back at the end of the audio to make necessary changes.

 

• Write from dictation assesses listening and writing skills. The task is to type the exact content of the audio in 3-5 seconds.
• when taking notes, try to shorten long words by maybe writing the first four letters to avoid wasting time
• Keywords are still important since they will remind the learner about the content of the audio.

 

 

 

PTE Academic Enabling Skills

In the PTE Academics, the test taker is assessed on communicative skills and enabling skills. Enabling skills is further divided into 6 categories that are scored individually.  These categories are grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and written discourse. Enabling skills assesses the test taker’s writing and speaking abilities.

 

The test score for enabling skills is based on all test items. This means there is no “special” section or set of questions dedicated solely to enabling skills. Each category within the enabling skills is scored separately, therefore, it is beneficial to the test taker to score high and succeed in all categories. To achieve this, tips are discussed below.

 

 

• Grammar – Assesses the correct use of the English language with respect to word format and word at the sentence level.

 

• Oral fluency – The test taker is assessed on the ability to produce clear speech that is audible and flowing naturally.

 

• Pronunciation – Assesses the ability to deliver the speech in such a way that the words are audible and understandable.

 

• Spelling – Checks correct spelling of words as accepted in the English Language. The test taker must be cautious of different spelling used in different language choice e.g. American or United Kingdom spelling.

 

• Vocabulary – Appropriate choice of words to express meaning

 

• Written discourse – Checks correct delivery of written communication. The written context must flow effortlessly with a proper format and it must be understandable.

 

 

 

Tips to Score 79+ in PTE Academics

 

 

Read a variety of written media.

 

This can be books, online blogs newspaper and so on. This helps to increase the vocabulary and learning the proper use of words and punctuation. The test taker can practice reading silently and reading aloud.  It might be taken lightly but some people don’t understand a written text unless they read in a particular way.  Making a habit of reading will improve the reading, oral fluency, vocabulary and pronunciation.

 

 

 

New word

 

When one is reading, there will always be a new word. It is wise to keep a notepad or notebook where you can write these new unfamiliar words and use the dictionary to learn their meaning. Try to use a dictionary that will also provide examples of how to use the words in a sentence. Also, keep a dictionary by your side at all times. It cannot be hard with technology and apps.  This will help improve your vocabulary and help you write like a professional.

 

 

 

Listen to audios, podcasts or watch video clips

This is not an excuse to watch movies and drama series while you forget about your PTE Academic preparations.  Audios, podcasts and videos can be integrated in preparing for the exam.  The user is advised to listen to a variety of spoken media with different accents. The user may mimic the speaker, learn to summarize spoken content and also learn to precisely writing the content of the speech. This will help improve, spelling, listening, oral fluency, pronunciation and writing.

 

 

 

Improve your writing

In the PTE Academic, the test taker is assessed on the ability to write in an academic manner, therefore, the test taker must familiarize himself/herself with the proper structure for writing discourse. This means written essay has to follow the right format such as introduction, body and conclusion. It must also display understanding and be delivered in an articulate manner. To improve writing, the test taker must remember to avoid writing in first person. That is; avoid using ‘I’ and ‘we’. Moreover, the test taker may search for essay topics on the internet and practice by actually writing the essay. To improve spelling, spelling checker may be turned off to increase alertness when writing. NB!! Avoid long sentences as these require a better understanding of the language

 

 

 

SMS and Social media “Lingo”

The goal is to score high in enabling skills so everything you do that requires the use of the English language must be professional. Avoid the use of SMS language whether you are sending a message to friends, family and colleagues or when sending a tweet.  Be professional at all times because this will go a long way when it comes to grammar punctuation and spelling.

 

 

 

Record yourself when speaking

To increase oral fluency the test taker may practice by recording himself/herself.  Playing the audio will help you to identify pronunciation mistakes, how often you use fillers, the speed at which you deliver your speech and etc. According to thoughtco.com fillers are “meaningless, phrases or words that mark pause or hesitation in speech”. These are words such as so, uh, um, okay, right and so on. This is very important since people are not even comfortable to send voice notes to their loved ones because they think they sound weird. Practise as many times as you can noting your comfortability, fluency, pronunciation and whether you stammer or stutter in your speech.

 

 

 

Seek help

Learning a new skill can be tiring and sometimes it easy to get discouraged and give up. If you can’t do it on your own reach out to people who can help you. It can be a friend or a tutor. In the era of social media, there are online communities for almost everything. Search for a community that will help you towards achieving high scores in PTE Academics. Even if you don’t know anyone personally who is preparing for PTE you can pair yourself with an online buddy and become study maids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice, Practice and more practice

This will depend on your English language knowledge. You can only get better at something if you are dedicated so practice as much as you can.