Reading: Self-Improvement

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- Woman reading - 800px
Reading time: 3 minutes

There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.

To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.

To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.

Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:

  • Aim to be reading at least 220 words per minute

  • Reading short articles of around 300 words

  • Read often for short periods of time

You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.

When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.

Multiple-choice, choose single answer

In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.

Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.

Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers

In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.

Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.

You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.

Re-order paragraphs

To do well in the Re-order Paragraphs questions, you will need to have a strong understanding of cohesive devices and how they work. You will also need to understand how articles work, as well as the logical and chronological order of information.

In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.

Fill in the blanks and reading & writing: fill in the blanks

For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.

You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.

Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.

To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.

Want more prep ideas?

Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

  • Smart Prep is 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.

Ready to get started?

 Sign up for Smart Prep

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