Practice for PTE Academic with this mock-test plan!

PTE Author
PTE Author
[Asset] Student studying on sofa

We have all been there; it’s normal to be full of nerves before a test, with uncertainty of what to expect, and doubts about how you’re going to perform. 

However, whilst nerves and anticipation are an unavoidable part of the testing experience, there are ways to reduce this when preparing for your PTE test, so you can grow in confidence before test day and achieve your desired score.

At PTE, we are all about doing it worry-free!  

And to do it worry-free, you need to know what’s coming up and familiarise yourself with the PTE test.

Here are 4 ways you can start your PTE preparation and get the practice in, so you are confident for when test day comes. 

1. Familiarize yourself with the test and what’s expected:

A great way to prepare is to know all about what you can expect on test day. We have lots of resources available on our Preparation page. We'd recommend that you explore this section of our site and gather any top tips that you can from our range of free resources, also known as our A-Z of PTE. This includes a run-through of each question type as well as a video of what to expect on test day, which you can also watch below on this page!

Play
Privacy and cookies
By watching, you agree Pearson can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable upon changing cookie preferences. Disabling cookies may affect video functionality. More info...

2. How might you score if you took a PTE test today?

It's the question that every test taker wants to know the answer to… "What score am I going to achieve and what level are my English skills?". The truth is, your true score will only be available to you on your test day, after completing the real PTE test. It will accurately reflect your English skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. So, you will want to make sure that you put in the work to refine your skills as much as possible to be awarded the highest marks.

However, just like other tests that you may have taken during your academic studies, you can do practice rounds, or mock tests, before the big day, with PTE too. These come in the form of our 5 PTE Academic Scored Practice Tests.

These are just like the real thing: the same test format, the same time limit, the same question types and an indicative score of your performance at the end, with a breakdown of your skills assessment. The best thing about Pearson’s Scored Practice Tests is that they are the only mock tests which go through the exact same AI scoring engines as the actual test, so they are as close to the real test as you can get.

You can discover the likely indicative score that you would achieve if you were to take the PTE test today. From this, you can evaluate areas of strength and areas that need development, so you can refine your preparation and increase your practice in specific English language skills areas.

A couple of women sitting at a table writing in notebooks - Media Description

3. Practice, apply and measure

Now you have taken a mock test and have a plan of action, commit your spare time to improving on skills where you are less confident.

Then, halfway through your PTE Academic preparation journey, try taking another Scored Practice Test (remember there are 5 in total which you can buy as part of our money-saving packages).

This will help you to see the progress that you have made and refine your skills even more!

[Asset] PTE prep cropped - woman studying on sofa with laptop

4. Finally, get PTE ready, just before test day

Your PTE test day is just around the corner. So, it’s time to get that last minute practice in before the real thing.

By taking a Scored Practice Test just before test day, you can be sure that you are well acquainted with the test format and the details, including keeping an eye on time limits, the microphone opening and any other key details.

This way, you will be fully ready when you enter the test centre.

Also, at this point, make sure to re-watch the video on this page on what to expect on PTE test day, so you can pack all the essentials and be ready to go!

[Asset] Feature banner - PTE Prep - 800 x 560

So, as you prepare to get the practice in before your PTE test, remember:

  • nerves are normal - embrace them and turn them into positive energy.

  • practice makes perfect – make full use of the official PTE preparation resources available to you and save money with our money-saving packages.

  • be prepared – make sure on test day, you have everything you need to ensure a smooth, worry-free experience.

Related Content

  • Image- Visa, 1080px
    How to apply for permanent residence in the UK
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Do you want to settle in the UK? With great healthcare, world-class education, and lots of art, history, and culture, it’s an excellent place to call home.

    In this guide, we’ll explore how to take up permanent residence in the UK. We’ll delve into who can apply, and the online resources you’ll need to start your application.  

    Why Live in the UK 

    The UK is very multicultural. In fact, about 14% of the population in the UK was born abroad, according to the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford.  About 35% of the immigrant population lives in London.  

    The UK has an excellent healthcare system, too. The National Health Service (NHS) is free for residents and has been ranked among the best in the world for its affordability, safety, and efficiency. UK countries also boast world-class research facilities, universities, and a strong education system in general. 

    How to apply for permanent residence in the UK  

    Permanent residence in the UK is also known as Indefinite Leave To Remain (ILR). With this, you can live and work in the UK permanently. You may also be able to apply for British citizenship after 12 months.

    There are different ways to apply to live permanently in the UK, depending on your situation. For example, you might be able to apply for ILR if: 

    You’ve lived in the UK for 5 years or more 

    If you have lived in the UK for 5 or more years, you should be able to apply for permanent residence in the UK. There are exceptions, though. For example, you won’t be able to apply for ILR if you’ve lived in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT work visa – given to people who’ve transferred to a UK company branch from abroad to work on a specific project.  

    You’re a family member of a UK citizen or permanent resident  

    If you’re the spouse, parent, or dependent relative to a UK citizen or permanent resident, you might also be eligible for ILR. Depending on the type of visa you’ve been living in the UK on, you might be able to apply for permanent residence as soon as 2 years.

    Check if you can get indefinite leave to remain and learn about the financial requirements needed to apply.   

    You have a work visa  

    You can apply for ILR if you’ve had a Tier 2 (General) work visa for five years. Your employer will need to sponsor you. You’ll also likely have to prove you earn at least £25,600 per year unless you work in healthcare or in a profession that’s in short supply in the UK.  

    Learn more about how to apply through ILR through your work visa

    Fees and processing times 

    According to UK Visas and Immigration, ILR takes about 6 months to process. The application for ILR costs £2,389. But keep in mind that many categories have financial requirements, which can make applying much for expensive. 

    English requirements 

    To apply for ILR, you might have to demonstrate your English skills are at least a B1 level. And, our PTE Academic UKVI secure English language test is recognized by the UK Home Office for all UK visas. The test is computer-based to reduce human bias, fast, and convenient – you get your results within 48 hours.  

    Discover how PTE Academic UKVI can help 

    The EU Settlement Scheme  

    If you’re an EU citizen – and don’t have IRL – you can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.  

    Applying for the scheme is free, and with it, you’re granted either “settled” or “pre-settled status.” With settled status, you can stay in the UK indefinitely. With pre-settled status, you can stay for another 5 years – but can always apply for settled status later.  

    With both, you’ll get the right to work and study in the UK, access NHS, access public benefits and pensions, leave the UK to travel – and apply for British citizenship after 12 months.  

    Read our article about applying for the EU Settlement Scheme

    Ready to apply for permanent residence? 

    At PTE Academic, we’re here to help make your dream come true.

    Prepare for – and book – your approved English language test for permanent residence in the UK today.

  • Image- student, 1080px
    Scholarships for international students in Australia
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Dreaming of studying in Australia? It’s never too early to start planning financially. Tuition fees for international undergraduate students typically range from AUD 35,000 to AUD 55,000 per year, depending on the university, course of study, and location. For example, STEM and medical programs are generally more expensive than humanities or social sciences​. However, there are lots of scholarships available to help pay for your studies. 

    In this article, we’ll look at what funding is available for international students in Australia. By the end, you’ll have a list of resources to explore to find the scholarship that’s right for you.  

    Are you eligible for a scholarship? 

    Australia offers grants, bursaries, and scholarships to people from around the world – including undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and vocational students. They’re funded by the government, universities, and private entities.  

    The Australian Government has an excellent scholarship search tool on its website. With it, you can search for funding opportunities based on a whole range of factors – like what country you come from, what university you’re attending, and your area and level of study. You’ll see how much each scholarship is worth, who it’s made for, and of course, whether you might be eligible.  

    Australian scholarship opportunities  

    Now, let’s cover a few scholarship opportunities for international students in Australia. 

    Australia Awards Scholarships 

    Australia Awards scholarships are offered to global student leaders from developing countries. They’re awarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and support students with full tuition, airfare, living costs, and more. In 2021, 818 Australia Awards were given to students from 20 countries worldwide.  

    Destination Australia Awards  

    The Australian government introduced the Destination Australia program to provide both local and international students with the opportunity to study in more regional and remote areas of Australia – towns such as Ballarat (Victoria), Gatton (Queensland), and Lismore (New South Wales). The scholarships are given out through Australian universities and provide students with up to $15,000 AUD each year.  

    University-specific scholarships 

    In addition to government-provided scholarships, universities also offer their own scholarships to qualifying international students. There’s the James Rice Postgraduate Award at The Australian National University (ANU); International Stand Out Scholarship at Bond University, and the Adelaide Refugee & Humanitarian Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship at University of Adelaide.

    The point is, universities offer lots of scholarships for international students based on a long list of eligibility factors – like home country, area of study, and academic merit. 

    To search for funding opportunities at your own institution, use the search tool on the Australian Government website.

    A case study: Monash University scholarships 

    To get an idea of all the different scholarships that can be offered by Australian universities, we’ll take a closer look at one popular institution for international students: Monash University.  

    Monash University is recognized for its research and teaching, and offer more than 80 scholarships to international students, including:   

    Universities throughout Australia offer similar scholarships.  

    To apply for any scholarship or funding opportunity, you’ll need to contact the scholarship provider.  

    Other ways to fund your studies 

    As an international student, there are other options to pay for your studies in Australia.   

    One of the biggest perks of studying in Australia is that international students can work up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying and unlimited hours during study breaks on an Australian student visa. The minimum wage is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week,  meaning you’ll be able to put some money aside to help fund your education.

     Depending on where you are from, you might also be able to get a student loan or scholarship from your own country to study overseas.  

    Last updated 20 December 2024.

    PTE Academic can support you on your journey abroad. Our computer-based, bias-free English language proficiency test is accepted by all universities in Australia – as well as by the Department of Home Affairs for all visa categories. 

    Learn more about PTE Academic in Australia.

  • Image- calculator-800px x451px
    Living expenses in the UK for international students
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Studying abroad in the UK can be expensive. International students need to budget for flights, tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and don’t forget the visa application.

    Of course, living costs in the UK for international students can vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live. So, in this blog, we’ll look at how much students in the UK spend on average each month – and explore how much it cost to live in a large city, compared to a smaller city.  

    Average student living expenses in the UK