Practice for PTE Academic with this mock-test plan!

PTE Author
PTE Author
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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

 Explore our preparation resources

Related Content

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    Speaking: Self-Improvement Part 1
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    In Part 1 of PTE Academic, you will require many core English skills to pass. It is very important that you prepare and look at ways you can maximize your score.

    We’ve put together some tips to help based on each question type.

    Read aloud

    In the Read Aloud question type, you will be scored based on content, oral fluency and pronunciation.

    As part of this question type, you will need to speak aloud and say all the words in the correct order.

    Here are some tips to help maximize your chances of receiving points:

    • Make sure you do not replace any words, leave any words out or add any. If you make a mistake and try to correct it, it will be counted as added words.

    • Once prompted, you must speak into the microphone right away and read with a smooth, easy natural speed. Try not to speak too fast or too slow.

    • Use English rhythm with chunking and sentence stress used correctly.

    • Try not to hesitate or repeat words as you will lose points.

    Repeat sentence

    The Repeat Sentence question type is scored based on the same elements as the Read Aloud question type: content, oral fluency and pronunciation.

    Here are some tips to help gain points in this question type:

    • Say all of the words in the exact same order. Do not rush.

    • Do not use the Erasable Noteboard Booklet, keep the sentence in your head.

    • It’s easier to keep the sentence in your mind if you understand the meaning. Try to understand the meaning.

    • If unsure of a word the speaker used, say what you think you heard.

    • Do not speak too fast or slow.

    • Similar to read aloud, use English rhythm with chunking and sentence stress. You will also lose points in this question type if you hesitate, repeat words or stumble to start.

    • Speak with the sounds of an English speaker and copy the intonation pattern of the speaker, but do not change your accent.

    Describe image

    In the Describe Image question type, you will be scored based on content, oral fluency and pronunciation.

    To be able to describe the image, you will need to understand it as it could be a graph, picture, map, chart or table. Always read the title and make sure you understand the parts that make up the image.

    Some extra tips include:

    • Use the Erasable Noteboard Booklet to take notes about the image, which you can use in your answer. For example, if the image is a graph, chart or table, is there a trend you can comment on? If it’s a map or picture, what are the important features?

    • Include all aspects and elements of the image in your answer.

    • Start with a general statement about the image then summarize the most important points.

    • If there are words on the image you want to use but are unsure how to pronounce them, don’t worry, just say them how you think they should be said.

    • Try using connector words to link the information you give. For example, use words such as: also, however, as or besides.

    You can receive up to 5 points based on your content. In order to score above 1, you will need to include the relationships between parts of the image, possible developments and conclusions or implications of the information in the image.

    Don’t forget to talk with a smooth, natural speed at all times during the speaking test.

    In total, there are five speaking sections of Part 1: Speaking and Writing.

    We recommend that you read more about the other question types such as Re-tell Lecture and Short Answer Question types and learn how to pick up points for these.

    Want to learn more about the smart way to prepare for PTE?

    Smart Prep brings all our free and paid preparation into one convenient place, so you can mix and match to fit your unique needs.

    • Smart Prep provides a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

    • It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

    • Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

  • Image- study group, 750px
    Why fluent English speakers don’t always get a perfect score
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Being an experienced English speaker does not guarantee you a high score

    It can come as a surprise to test takers, who consider themselves to be fluent in English, that they can score less well in an English test than they expect.

    Dr. Alistair Van Moere, a member of Pearson’s Technical Advisory Group, explains that it’s not unusual for people who have recently learned English to score higher than those that have spoken English for a long time. This happens on all high-stakes tests, not just on PTE Academic, as fluent speakers are often not prepared to do the test. PTE Academic contains question types that a fluent English speaker may not have done for a long time, for example, writing an essay.

    This is why all test takers, including fluent English speakers, should prepare before test day.

  • Image - 2 Asian students - 800x600px
    Sitting PTE Academic for the first time
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Choosing to study or migrate abroad is a big decision and may require you to demonstrate your skills in English.

    The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is widely trusted by universities, colleges, and governments around the world. Taking PTE Academic can create opportunities for you around the world.

    If you are taking the test for the first time, study each part of the test thoroughly to demonstrate your English skills as best you can.

    Even people that consider themselves to be fluent in English need to prepare as they can sometimes score fewer points than they should have as they have not prepared.

    We can help you achieve your best!

    What should I expect on test day?