So, do you think your English skills are that good? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but these English proficiency tests may prove you otherwise. Getting the score you wanted will not be easy especially when preparation and practice are not taken seriously.
Being proficient in English won’t guarantee a high score, since questions in these tests tend to throw you off guard. To prove your proficiency, proper preparation is crucial and will definitely be a difficult and long process. Let’s not follow 5 Common Mistakes Students make in PTE. Don’t worry, listed below some useful PTE guides, resources, and tips that will surely help you ace that PTE test!
What Is The PTE Academic Test?
The Pearson Test of English, or PTE, is a type of international and computer-oriented language competency test for non-native English speakers wanting to study or emigrate overseas. English proficiency of test-takers is evaluated through Listening, Reading, and Speaking & Writing. The test itself is purely computer-based.
PTE Academic is a multi-level test similar to IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC. The test is accepted as well for migration applicants.
PTE Academic evaluates using both academic and real-life content. The test takers are being exposed to different types of accents such as British and American accents.
The test is conducted in a 3-hour test session and divided into four parts (listening, reading, speaking, and writing), consisting of various test formats such multiple choices, essay writing, and interpreting information. The speaking part of the exam is done through the computer wherein voices are recorded and sent for evaluation purposes. A computer program does both the scoring and evaluation.
TIPS TO ACE THE PTE EXAM!
- Find out your target PTE Academic score.
- Target scores may vary depending on the minimum scores required by different immigration departments, universities, and even employers. Common minimum scores are usually around 50, 65, or 79.
- Knowing the minimum target score that you need is a great preparation strategy. Since the PTE Academic test does not have a specific pass or fail grade system and scores are based on the test taker’s performance, one should exert their best effort to secure your target scores. Getting a 79 mark on the test is pretty difficult. But will depend on the amount of work you put in preparation for the test.
- Familiarize yourself with the PTE Academic test format.
- The first step to taking any type of English proficiency test is to understand and familiarize the exam structure. Having a better understanding of the expected exam format is a crucial step to getting your desired results.
- The PTE Academic test is divided into three sections:
- Part 1: Speaking and Writing
- Part 2: Reading
- Part 3: Listening
- Things can be tricky, especially when doing it for the first time. So, it is better to take your time and analyze each section carefully.
- Understand how the test is scored.
- 100% of the PTE Academic exam scores are based entirely on computers. This literally means that score marking eliminates biased scores by ensuring that the scores are fairly and accurately marked. Scoring varies from the section and the type of questions in accordance with the test format. Some questions may have definite answers, while others are based on formality, tone, fluency, and pronunciation.
- Take a mock/practice test.
- Taking a mock test is similar to experiencing the actual test itself. One will not only be aware of what could possibly come out on the exam, but it will also allow test takers to work on things that need some improvement.
As you continue to take on mock tests, you will also feel less unprepared for the actual test as you have already stimulated and familiarized yourself with the final test.
Practice! Practice! Practice! Nothing will go wrong if you adequately prepare yourself prior to taking the Pearson English Test (PTE). Combined with enhancing your speaking and writing skills, observation is an ideal method to improve not only your listening skills but also your speaking skills. Mastering one to two skills alone will not compensate for the other necessary skills. Don’t think you already know everything if you don’t want to be caught off-guard! Now, are you ready to ace the PTE test?