SAMPLE PTE STRATEGY

Speaking:1. Repeat Sentence: Try to do your level best on this. I think this part carry the maximum
points. Need paramount concentration on it. I closed my eyes and imagine the speaker &
topics, this helped me.
2. Describe Image: Dont ever try to describe full content. Summary, Highest/minimum
information, conclusion (if possible). Must ignore any pause but dont speak fast and ensure
your word is clear to understand. Try to use this words; Gradually, Steep rise, increase,
fluctuating, remain stable/steady, surge, the largest group of people, the least common
answer, southeast corner of the room/map/layout and so on.
3. Retell Lecture: Again content is not important but ensure you can speak 40 seconds.
Ignore aah, hmm and other paused sound as much as possible; just speak normal voice
with fluency.
4. Question/Answer: Try to listen the question properly. Sometimes they give some image
or graph and ask question from it. If not sure the answer then repeat the question or mention
both the option when try to choose one. I guess this section content less marks. I know some
person in this forum who did not answer 3~4 questions but secure 90 in speaking.
Last not the least, try to practice speaking in noisy environment such as put the BBC on in
TV then practice your speaking. I found that exam hall was noisy and everyone is shouting
during speaking.
One more thing, grammar is not important in speaking (need comment from expert). Hence,
main focus should be fluency and punctuation.
Writing:I think, this part is the most easiest one at-least compare with IELTS who suffers 0 .5 mark
there
All the topics are repeated, so it is easy to get the idea before sitting for exam. However, must
practice typing with those known topics within given time frame.
Ensure proper grammar and vocabulary. I have to use some predetermine vocabulary lists in
my exam.. Some of them are as follows:Bolster, impeccable, indispensable, parochial attitude, fathom, laudable effort, crux,
unbridled/bridled, formidable, inundate, inevitably, jeopardize, emancipation, itinerary,
overwhelming, tremendously and so one.
All these words are easy to fit any sentence and increase your vocabulary marks and use
connecting words like furthermore, moreover, hence, in addition, besides, nevertheless,
nonetheless, although, even though , while, Indeed, in fact, finally, Lastly, In conclusion etc..

Last not the least, ensure there will be no spelling mistakes. But again I am not the expert,
this is my personal strategy.
Reading:This section is definitely hard compare with IELTS at least for me. My grammar
understanding is very poor which was also difficult to improve within a very short time
specially the phrasal verb, collocation. At the same time, I got little assistance to improve my
marks in this section from others. Hence, I made some strategy with some personal
observation.
1) I ensured that my 10/11 questions from fill in the blanks and read & writing questions
should correct.
2) I Skipped the Multiple choose questions as it was killing my times. Furthermore, it also
contain negative marking if answer choose is wrong.
3) Utilize time in single multiple choose and reorder paragraph. However, my reorder
paragraph was very tough compare with my previous exam. Hence, I was nervous to clear the
target score. Anyway, I survive..
Now, it was my strategies based on my weakness and strongest points. You can also prepare
for yourself according to your need if you are facing hurdle in this section.
Listening
In my opinion it is easy to get point in this section and dont need to make any special
strategy for it . However, in my own observation, Highlight Correct Summary, Highlight
incorrect words, write from dictation secure more marks(may be I am wrong as well) and
ensure spelling marks in write from dictation section.
On the whole, I believe, concentration is very vital in PTE-A exam, be confident about
yourself and dont lose hope or disoriented until the exam is finished.
The structure of this exam is totally diffferent compare with IELTS. Therefore, if you decide
to give PTE then try your level best with preparation before fueling money. Nevertheless,
may be you will not cross the branch mark (All module 65/79) in your first attempt and you
need to face the same obstacle again for another attempt like me.
Another Experience
Thanks to my GOD that I passed this exam. Ielts made me think that my Enlgish is not good
enough and too much failure made me somehow hopeless, but I needed and tried and with
my first pte attempt I got +65.
My best mark in IELTS was:
L8
R8.5

S7.5
W6.5
I took it in Brisbane, Navitas centre and the results released in less than 24 hours.
The price is similar to IELTS, but if you put PTE2015 (capital without space) in promotion
code during the registration, it will give you 10% off.
I read almost 160 page of this thread and my advices are not far from the others, just
emphasizing them, so in order to get good marks I encourage you to read them as much as
you can.
SPEAKING:
read aloud: At first you might think it is an easy task, but if you try some sentences, youll see
you cannot read it clearly, fluently and without disturbing pauses. Pronunciation and fluency
is really important, and you have read like a news reader on TV. Watch your tone, intonation,
rises and falls.
Practice as much as you can and youll be alright.
Describe image: Note that your response time is only 40 seconds, and the information shared
on the screen is usually too much, so there isnt enough time to tell them all and it is not wise
to do so. Start with an introduction and speak fluently and clearly in 30 -35 secs. It is ok if
you cannot cover all the info, only focus on extreme figures. This is similar to IELTS
academic writing task 1.
Sentences like below are good:
The graph provides information about
The map illustrates
the trend has a significant increase
sharp fall
remained unchanged
Retell lecture:
focus on the lecture. No need to write down everything the lecturer says. Just take a note
about the topic and important categories and stuff. With only 40 seconds describe it fluently
and clearly:
the lecture is about
the lecturer stated that
Answer short question:
It is about your general knowledge, and you have to practice to become good. The only hard
part is when the question is read too quick.
My speaking part was the lowest because I didnt stick to upper rules completely!
WRITING
summarize:
its easy, get the whole idea and convert it into one sentence.

Write essay:
Its like Ielts writing task 2. Spelling and grammar is important. Check word by word and
proofread your work. Be aware of time.
READING & LISTENING:
have various parts and since the exam is ACADEMIC, youll see many new words. The use
of collocations is really important and common. Watch your time and practice a lot. Do not
stuck in one question and if you miss one do not panic and stay focused.
Its really important to concentrate and focus the entire time.
About sources:
definitely buy the gold kit to prepare yourself and become familiar with exam. They are
harder than the real exam.
offline practice test
macmillan
practice test plus
and check the Google docs about the exam essay questions. They really help. Actually my
essay question was among those questions and I had practiced it.
The last thing about the exam is that, at the first part of each part it introduces the whole part,
and then goes through the parts without warning, so you have to be prepared and careful
cause timer is counting down quickly.
I definitely suggest you to switch to PTE or TOEFL.
Practice as much as you can and youll see the results. Because with practicing you see that
you are improving.