ptesmart

If you’re preparing for the PTE Academic, studying smarter rather than harder is the key to success. Based on personal experience and proven methods, here’s how you can optimize your study approach for each module.

Reading Module

When I first arrived in Australia, adjusting to life abroad was challenging enough, but I also had to prepare for the PTE Academic. Despite my efforts, I struggled with the Reading module and often relied on luck for my scores.

To tackle this, I started tracking my scores for each exercise to objectively measure my progress. Recognizing the need to expand my vocabulary, I researched every mistake to understand the correct answers and their reasons. This approach yielded rapid results and led to the development of the Smart Study method, which has since helped over 1600 students achieve their goals.

Speaking Module

Upon arriving in Australia, the Speaking module of the PTE Academic was another area where I faced difficulties. My scores were inconsistent, often relying on non-official websites for practice.

Determined to improve, I researched Pearson’s AI scoring system to understand what to prioritize. I discovered that focusing on pronunciation and content was less important than enhancing fluency and naturalness. By listening to and analyzing my own recordings, I identified areas for improvement.

Two key questions to ask yourself are:

• Do I pause or hesitate frequently? Why?
• Does my speech flow naturally with a good rhythm?

Writing Module

The Writing module was particularly frustrating for me; despite extensive practice, my scores remained stagnant. This led me to investigate PTE’s scoring system more closely.

I discovered a surprising fact: even though the essay and Summarize Written Text (SWT) are questions of the Writing Module, they don’t have the most significant impact on your Writing score. Instead, questions like Fill in the Blanks (FIB) Listening, FIB Reading and Writing, and Write from Dictation (WFD) are extremely influential for your Writing score. 

Using a template for the essay and following straightforward techniques for SWT, I shifted my focus to the questions that truly matter. This strategic shift made a noticeable difference in my scores.

Listening Module

The Listening module posed another challenge, with my scores not showing the desired improvement. Applying the same method of tracking weekly scores, I sought to identify and address the issues.

I identified three primary reasons for mistakes in the Listening exercises:

1. Difficulty understanding the audio.
2. Inability to write down answers in time.
3. Misspelling words.

These issues often coexisted within the same response. By repeatedly listening to the audio while reading the script, experimenting with different note-taking methods, and creating a personal glossary of commonly misspelled words, I developed effective solutions.

If you have more doubts about PTE Academic or our Study Smart Strategies, do not hesitate to contact us! We’re here to provide an efficient way for you to achieve your goals.