Mastering the Pearson Test of English (PTE): A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving a Full Score of 90
Embarking on the journey to achieve a perfect score of 90 in the Pearson Test of English (PTE) requires more than just proficiency in English; it demands meticulous preparation and strategic execution.
Drawing from my recent success in the PTE exam, here’s a detailed guide on how to conquer each section and maximize your chances of scoring full marks.
Managing Nervousness:
Probably to me this is the most important thing , you have to be prepared, comfortable and less nervous on the day of the exam.
Nervous energy can often be the undoing of even the most prepared candidates. Here are some strategies to minimize anxiety on exam day:
- Strategic Booking: Schedule your exam early to avoid rush hours and opt for times with fewer test-takers. Weekday slots, particularly Friday evenings, tend to have less foot traffic, allowing for a more tranquil testing environment.
- Noise Familiarization: Familiarize yourself with background noise by practicing in bustling environments like cafes or malls. This will acclimate you to distractions and help you stay focused during the exam.I did practice couple of mock exams on the road to get familar with the noise.
- Center Reconnaissance: Visit the exam center a few days beforehand to get a feel for the environment. Knowing the layout and setup of the exam hall in advance can alleviate last-minute stress on the day of the test. I did visit my exam hall prior to my exam day , I was not allowed in but i got a good look at the setting. On my exam day I knew where to go to , which floor, and how the setting of the exam hall was. So no surprises or new feelings so i felt quite at ease and comfortable.
Preparation:
A solid preparation regimen is crucial for achieving excellence in the PTE exam. Here’s how to approach your study routine:
Utilize Ape Uni: Invest in Ape Uni, a mock exam software that closely simulates the PTE experience. Take advantage of its comprehensive features, available both on laptops and mobile devices, to assess your current proficiency level. This is 21 USD per month worth the money.I practiced for 2–3 weeks.
- Initial Mock Exam: Begin with a mock exam on Ape Uni to gauge your baseline performance. Analyze your scores and identify areas of improvement to tailor your study plan accordingly.
- Striving for Superiority: Aim for consistent scores above 79 in practice tests to position yourself for success in the exam.
Also in ape uni there are lot of feature you can use. You can practice mock exams. you will be graded then you can look for what areas you scored worse and practice those areas more. for example i was very poor in repeat sentence , so practiced a lot in ape uni. In ape uni you can practice sectionwise which is very easy to improve a certain aspect of your preparation.
Understanding the Exam Flow:
Familiarity with the structure and sequencing of the exam is essential for efficient navigation. Here’s what to keep in mind:
**Section Sequence**: Understand the chronological order of sections: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. Familiarize yourself with the transition between each section to maintain a smooth pace throughout the exam. I knew what sections , what type of question I am getting with each next /submit button press I did. So no surpises for me during the exam.
- **Question Type Proficiency**: Acquaint yourself with the various question types within each section through repeated practice. This will build confidence and fluency in tackling different challenges.
Tips for Each Section:
Speaking:
Speaking fluently and confidently sets the tone for a strong performance. Here’s how to excel:
Momentum Building:
Start strong with read aloud and repeat sentence exercises to establish momentum early on.
-Template Utilization:
Utilize templates for explaining diagrams to ensure coherence and clarity in your responses. There are so many templates out in youtube , You can pick one that has less complicated words and something you find easy to plug findings from the grpah/picture to.
Writing:
Writing tasks require precision and clarity. Here’s how to optimize your performance:
Template Adoption:
Employ templates for essay writing and summarizing to streamline your responses. Focus on grammatical accuracy and coherence over complexity of content.
This is quite easy. this has 2 questions Again you have 2 templates.
you don’t have to reinvent the wheel here but you only have to plug the right words in right order without making big grammar or punctuation mistakes.
Write simple sentences here. maybe add one complex sentence and a word for the entire essay. and stick to the world range , i think for the essay targeting for 265–270 is better . more you write more likely you will fuck up so write just enough to get the marks. don’t worry about the content AI cannot figure out whether you are writing valid content or not. from what i understand it checks for punctuation errors, spelling mistakes , basic level grammar mistakes etc.
Usually essay is asking you opinion. for example It might ask whether AI is good for the worlds future or not. You may think it is good , but you have more content to write for the ‘not’. then write for the ‘not’. take a firm stance yes or no, then write for it .just write for the opinion you find easier to write to. AI doesnt care about your stance.
Reading:
Efficient reading skills are essential for success in this section. Here’s how to enhance your reading proficiency:
- **Speed Reading Mastery**: Develop speed reading techniques to swiftly navigate through passages and extract essential information.
- **Subsection Completion**: Attempt all subsections, employing specific strategies tailored to each question type for optimal performance.
Listening:
Active listening and note-taking are key in this section. Here’s how to excel:
- **Note-taking Precision**: Take concise notes while listening and promptly mark incorrect words for review.
- **Contextual Awareness**: Stay attuned to the speaker’s pace and context to accurately identify errors in transcriptions.
General Advice:
Success in the PTE exam hinges on effective time management and resilience. Here’s some overarching guidance to keep in mind:
- Time Management: Allocate your time strategically, ensuring adequate coverage of each section within the allotted timeframe.
- Confidence and Perseverance: Maintain confidence in your abilities and persevere through setbacks. Don’t be deterred by occasional mistakes; instead, focus on continuous improvement and readiness to retake the exam if necessary.
By incorporating these strategies into your preparation regimen and approaching the exam with confidence and composure, you can position yourself for success and achieve a perfect score of 90 in the PTE exam. Remember, excellence is attainable with dedication and strategic execution.
Please do HMU in the comments , I ll be happy to answer your comments and queries regarding PTE, exam prep or any other thing about the exam or content in general.