If you are thinking about relocating and studying in an English-speaking country and English is not your first language, you will have to take and pass the Pearson English Language Test or PTE. It is a requirement you have to meet because otherwise, you won’t be able to get into any university. In addition, keep in mind that this test is not only a prerequisite if you want to study in the US, but it is also accepted in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and in some cases, Canada.
Now, in order to successfully take this exam, you need to prepare for it thoroughly, and to do that, you need to know everything about it. To make this process a bit easier for you, we will answer some of the most common questions students have in the following article.
What is PTE Academic?
First thing first, let us give you some essential information about it. Basically, this exam determines your English proficiency and tells the schools whether you will be able to follow the classes and learn, and visa offices use it to understand if you can easily communicate with others and fit into the everyday life routine perfectly. As already said, these results are accepted by thousands of universities across several English-speaking countries. You have 3 hours to complete the exam, and it tests your speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills.
Who is eligible for taking this exam?
When it comes to PTE Academic, everyone can take it as long as they meet certain requirements. Firstly, you need to be at least 18 to take it independently. The minimal age restriction is 16, but if you are younger than 18, you need to have consent from your parents. Next, you can take the exam as many times as necessary, meaning that the attempt restriction doesn’t exist. However, keep in mind that even though you can take it as often as you want, a few days need to pass between the two exams since you cannot get the results of the first one and know whether you have to retake it. Finally, there are no academic requirements you have to meet. Everyone who wants to study abroad can take PTE Academic, and only the schools you apply to will be interested in your academic qualifications.
Can you take it online?
The answer to this question is yes, you can take the exam at your home, office, or another place where you can focus on it. Nowadays, you can take the PTE Academic Online just make sure to check if the school you want to apply for recognizes it. Even though you get to take the exact same test, it is a relatively new option, which is why it is still not widely accepted. If there are no official centers in your town or even country, or you are prevented from going to one, you can easily sit through the exam online. It goes without saying that you have to ensure your computer or laptop meets system requirements since you will have to download the test software, and you don’t want to experience any glitches that could jeopardize your results.
What does PTE consist of?
As already mentioned, PTE tests different skills, and it includes three main sections. The first one is speaking and writing, and you have between 54 and 67 minutes to complete all the tasks. Some of these are recording a short introduction about yourself, describing an image, retelling the lecture, and repeating the phrases you hear. When it comes to the writing section, you will have to write a short, 75-words summary of the text you read and then write a 300-word essay based on the prompt you get.
Furthermore, there is the reading part. It includes several types of questions, and you have 30 minutes to answer them. You will get a text to read, answer multiple-choice questions, fill in the blanks with the appropriate word, and reorder paragraphs.
Finally, there is the listening section, which is somewhat similar to the previous one. Once again, you will have to answer multiple-choice questions, fill in the blanks after listening to the audio, summarize what was said in it, choose the missing word, and highlight the incorrect one. Lastly, they will also test your spelling, meaning that you will have to write down what you hear in the recording.
How to study for PTE Academic?
Even if you are pretty confident about your English skill, you still need to study for it to pass with flying colors. After all, answering up to 80 questions in 3 hours can prove to be quite a challenge, which is why you need to practice as much as possible.
First things first, you need to obtain the study material. Nowadays, it can be really easy to find books online, but our advice is only to use those listed on the official website and platform. This way, you won’t have to worry whether something is omitted, and there won’t be any surprises when you take the test.
Once you go over this material, you need to practice, and it is when the PTE practice test comes in handy. When you sign up for ptemocktests, you will get access to model and mini tests as well as the latest exam patterns. Depending on the plan you sign up for, these will be available to you for either three or six months, which is more than enough time to go over everything.
Moreover, you need to focus on each of the skills individually. It is the only way to get the highest score. For example, you can record yourself speaking to practice intonation and pronunciation. You need to speak clearly, and you should avoid making long pauses (more than a few seconds), especially in the middle of the sentence, even if you make a mistake. When it comes to listening, you should watch as many shows and movies and even listen to podcasts to learn how to focus on the main topic and identify keywords. You can also try to write down the summary of the podcast or retell it in your own words. Lastly, you should read as much as possible not only to build up your speed but also to enrich your vocabulary.
