Cracking the PTE Exam First Go: Your Top 10 Aussie Tips

Planning on chasing your dreams Down Under and need that all-important English language test sorted? If you’re eyeing off a Student Visa in Australia, chances are the PTE Exam is on your radar. This computer-based exam assesses your English skills across speaking, writing, reading, and listening, crucial for your Visa Application for Australia and academic journey.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of it all? Don’t stress! Whether you’re just starting your PTE Preparation or you’ve been hitting the books for a while, we’ve compiled our top 10 tips to help you crack the PTE Exam on your first attempt. So, grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s get you ready to ace this thing!

10 Tips to Crack Your PTE Exam on the First Go

Here are the top 10 things you absolutely must consider during your PTE Preparation to maximise your chances of success:

1.  Know your target score like the back of your hand

Unlike some exams with a simple pass/fail, the PTE Exam gives you a numerical score. This PTE score chart reflects your English communication abilities for various purposes. To secure a student visa in Australia or meet university entry requirements, you’ll need a specific minimum score.

First things first, figure out exactly what score you need for your Visa Application for Australia or your chosen course. Knowing this target is crucial. Aiming for a PTE score of 66+ (roughly equivalent to a 7.0 in IELTS) requires serious effort and focused practice. Your current English level and academic background will also play a role, so be realistic about your goals and tailor your PTE Preparation accordingly.

2. Familiarise yourself with the PTE Exam format

You wouldn’t try to navigate the Aussie outback without a map, would you? Similarly, going into the PTE Exam without a solid understanding of the format is asking for trouble. The PTE format dictates the timing and structure of each section – speaking and writing, reading and listening.

The PTE Academic is typically a two-hour affair with these estimated timeframes:

• Speaking and Writing: 54-67 minutes
• Reading: 29-30 minutes
• Listening: 30-43 minutes

Head over to the official PTE website (Pearson PTE) – it’s your best mate for all things PTE Exam. Familiarise yourself with:

• The common task types and questions in each of the three sections.
• Official PTE exam preparation tips.
• Instructional videos that break down each task.
• How the PTE Exam is scored.

Knowing the format inside out will help you manage your time effectively and understand what’s expected in each task.

3.  Wrap your head around how the PTE Test is scored

The scoring system for the PTE Exam isn’t just about getting the “right” answer. Some questions assess your ability to convey meaning accurately, while others look at both the “formal aspects” and the “quality of your response.” Ignoring this can lead to unnecessary mistakes.

• Formal aspects relate to the structure of your answer, like meeting the word count for a summary.
• The quality of your response assesses your fluency in speaking, clarity of pronunciation, and your overall comprehension.

After your PTE Exam, you’ll receive a Score Report (with an overall score and communication skills breakdown) and a skills profile (detailing your performance in short writing, open response writing and speaking, and multiple-skills comprehension). Understanding these elements will help you focus your PTE Preparation on the areas that matter most.

4.  Break down the PTE questions

Think of the PTE Exam as a series of mini-challenges. One effective PTE Preparation strategy is to categorise question types based on difficulty, impact on your score, ease of answering, potential advantages, risks of common mistakes, areas for improvement, and the amount of practice needed.

With around 53-74 questions across 20 different tasks, this approach helps you allocate your time and energy strategically. Knowing which question type carries more weight or where you tend to slip up is a game-changer in maximising your final score.

5.  Get section-specific tips in your toolkit

Generic advice is alright, but targeted tips for each section of the PTE Exam are gold. Here’s a quick rundown to guide your PTE preparation:

• PTE Speaking: Focus on how often you pause (oral fluency) and how clear your words sound (pronunciation). Record yourself managing speaking tasks and listen back critically to identify areas for improvement.
• PTE Listening: Build your vocabulary and practice reading a variety of English texts. A solid grasp of English grammar, especially verbs, adjectives, nouns, and adverbs, is essential. Do plenty of grammar exercises.
• PTE Writing: Before you start writing, understand the topic and jot down a quick outline. Pay close attention to the PTE writing format, especially for tasks like Summarise Written Text (aim for a single, concise sentence).

6.  Craft a Detailed PTE Study and Preparation Plan

It is important to structure your PTE study plan. Doing this will help you make the most of your practice time and achieve the best possible result. Consider these elements:

• Tough areas for you: Dedicate at least two hours daily to these tasks and practice consistently. Keep a record of recurring mistakes and new things you learn.
• Your strengths: Don’t neglect these, but aim to practice them efficiently (around half an hour). Use them as a confidence booster.
• Tricky questions: Identify common errors and learn how to avoid them. Don’t hesitate to ask a teacher or expert for clarification.
• High-stakes tasks: Develop effective strategies for these common formats. Review past exam questions to get familiar with them and anticipate potential topics.

7.  Master the art of time management

Trying to answer 73-80 questions in a two-hour exam demands excellent time management skills. Practice reading, understanding, and responding to questions quickly and accurately. Skimming and scanning are your best mates for this. However, don’t forget to review your answers before hitting that submit button – rushing can lead to silly mistakes that cost you marks.

8.  Stock up on quality PTE study materials

While the internet is full of resources, not all are created equal. The official PTE website is your go-to for reliable and up-to-date information. However, platforms like E2Language, the PTE Academic app, and the PTE Success platform can also be valuable additions to your PTE preparation. Using a variety of reputable sources can significantly boost your chances of achieving your desired score.

9.  Build your vocabulary

A rich and varied vocabulary is a key ingredient in acing the PTE Academic exam. Actively work on expanding your word bank by learning different ways to express the same idea. This not only helps you avoid repetition but also showcases your command of the English language. Make a conscious effort to incorporate new words into your spoken and written communication during your PTE preparation.

10.  Keep your chin up and speak with confidence

Even if you feel a bit flustered, speaking with confidence is crucial in the speaking section. Before your PTE Exam, practice speaking, using a microphone and headphones to get comfortable with the setup. Simulate a noisy exam environment by turning on the TV or playing the news in the background. This will help you get used to potential distractions and maintain your focus. Believe in your PTE preparation – you’ve got this!

To give you a concrete idea, here’s a sample weekly PTE Study plan you can adapt:

Days	Preparation Schedule	Study Plan
Mon	Listening	Summarise spoken text, multiple-choice. Speaking: Read-aloud, repeat sentence. Reading: Fill in the blanks, re-order paragraphs. Writing: Summarise a written text, an essay.
Tue	Listening	Fill in the blanks, highlight the correct summary. Speaking: Describe images, retell a lecture. Reading: Multiple choice, highlight the incorrect word. Writing: Review and revise the previous day’s writing.
Wed	Listening	Select a missing word, and highlight incorrect words. Speaking: Review and revise the previous day’s speaking. Reading: Read aloud and summarise the written text. Writing: Write from dictation, summarise spoken text.
Thu	Listening & Reading	Review and revise the previous day’s tasks. Speaking: Answer short questions, write from dictation. Writing: Write essays, summarise written text.
Fri	Full PTE Online Mock Test	Assess your performance in all four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking & Writing).
Sat	Review	Review your mock test results. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on improving your weaker areas.
Sun	Rest and relax	Do a light vocabulary or grammar review if you feel like it, but don’t overdo it. Use this day to unwind from the week’s hard work.

Your PTE Exam Preparation is a crucial step towards achieving your goals, whether it’s securing that Student Visa in Australia or furthering your career. By implementing these top 10 tips and dedicating yourself to a structured study plan, you’ll significantly increase your chances of cracking the PTE Exam on your first go. So, get organised, practice hard, and go get ‘em mate! Good luck with your visa application for Australia.