PTE
Pearson Test of English Academic is an International English Language test. The test is totally computer-based categories among various modules such as Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. PTE Academic is scored against the Global Scale of English. The Global Scale of English is a granular score scale from 10 - 90. Students receive an overall score on this scale, which gives an accurate assessment of their English ability.
You will use a computer and headset to listen to, read and respond to questions.
During the three-hour test session, there are three main parts to the test: speaking and writing (together), listening and reading. There is also an optional 10-minute break between the reading and listening parts. During the test, you will find twenty different question formats, ranging from multiple choice through to essay writing and interpreting information.
PTE Academic assesses real-life, academic English, so you will hear excerpts from lectures and view graphs and charts. You will hear a range of accents in the test, from British and American to non-native speakers, so you will be exposed to the type of accents you will encounter in everyday life.
PTE Reading test is aimed at evaluating a candidate’s ability to read and interpret academic English. Dividing the reading test into various tasks, it assesses a test taker’s ability to analyze and comprehend academic vocabulary, the information presented in an implicit or explicit manner in the form of words, phrases and/or abstract information.
The candidate must be able to identify the topic, supporting points, examples and the context in which the text is written. Total time allotted for the reading test is approximately 32-41 minutes.
Below listed are the different types of tasks asked in PTE Reading Test. Following each task, there are some tips that will help you ace this module.
Multiple choice questions, choose single answer
This item type requires you to carefully read, analyze and comprehend the text on an academic topic and choose a single correct response. The objective of this test is to evaluate your ability to grasp the main idea, analyze the discourse of the text and understand the writer’s purpose to make inferences.
TIPS:
- Take a quick look at the questions before you start reading the given passage. This will help you locate only the information you want.
- Read carefully and try to understand the main idea behind the passage. You should be able to describe it in your own words.
- Once you recognize the key idea of the text, look for the supporting ideas and details
- Read the questions and options again, if needed. If you are able to find the correct answer, select it. Else, look for the ones that are absolutely incorrect. This will narrow your search process.
- Since the questions left unanswered are marked as incorrect, do not leave any of them unanswered. Try to choose the right option or make a guess.
- For effective time management, do not spend more than 1.5 minutes on one question
Multiple Choice Questions, Choose Multiple Answers
For this question type, you will be given a number of responses. More than one response out of the given is correct. You need to choose the right ones after reading the passage.
TIPS:
- Though it looks easy, multiple choice questions are quite tricky and challenging. So, read every given information carefully.
- Go through the questions and options given before you start reading the text
- Pay attention to adjectives, nouns and repeated words as it will help you find the correct responses quickly
- If you are not able to find out correct responses, start eliminating the ones which are least likely to be correct
- Spend no longer than 2 minutes on each multiple answer type question
Re-order Paragraphs
This item type requires you to restore the passage given in a random order in its original order. It assesses a test taker’s ability to understand the overall idea of the passage and to put them back in the right order that makes sense.
TIPS:
- Search for the Nouns, Pronouns, Adjectives and time-related phrases. Pronouns such as he, she, they, these, those etc. will help you establish the right order quickly. Sentences beginning with Pronouns will never come first in the order.
- Pay attention to the clue-words.
- Aim to spend no more than 3-4 minutes on any re-order the paragraph question
READING: FILL IN THE BLANKS
This item type consists of a passage with some missing words in between. You have to choose the right words from a list of words given to fill in the blanks. The number of words in the list is more than the number of gaps, so you will never be able to use all the provided words.
TIPS:
- Skim the text to grab the main idea of the passage.
- Make use of ‘Collocation’ i.e. look for the words that often go together to form a phrase.
- Search for the missing part of speech to choose the right word for the gap. Always understand the context of the sentence before choosing the word. For instance, hearing and listening infer different meanings.
- Skim the text to grab the main idea of the passage.
- Spend approximately 2 minutes on each question.
GENERAL TRAINING WRITING
The General Training Writing test is made up of two tasks, Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. The topics in each task are of general interest.
In Writing Task 1, you will be given a situation where you will need to write a letter to request information or explain the situation. You might be asked to write a letter to suggest how to improve facilities at a library. Examiners will look at your ability to provide general and factual information in relation to the task, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, as well as opinions, views and complaints.
Writing Task 2 is a little different. You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You will be assessed on whether you can provide general factual information, outline a problem, present a solution, justify an opinion or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or an argument.
GENERAL TRAINING WRITING
The General Training Reading test consists of three sections and 40 questions. It focuses on situations you might face in everyday life, work-related issues such as applying for a job, and topics of general interest. The extracts in each section are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines.
Section 1 looks at your social survival skills. The questions relate back to short texts that are relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking country. These might be notices, advertisements or timetables.
Section 2 takes a closer look at your workplace survival skills. The texts here are taken from job descriptions, contracts, staff development and training manuals, as well as pay and workplace condition documents.
Section 3 contains a long and more complex text on a topic of general interest. Texts could be taken from newspapers, magazine or books.
The reading part of the IELTS test looks at how well you can understand main ideas, details, inferences and implied meaning. It also assesses your ability to follow the development of an argument, recognise a writer's opinion, attitudes and purpose.
GENERAL TRAINING SPEAKING
The IELTS General Training Speaking test will assess your use of spoken English. All speaking tests are conducted face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner and are recorded in case they need to be reviewed. .
The General Training Speaking test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and consists of 3 parts. Part 1 is the first part of the test where the examiner will ask you some general questions about familiar topics like work, family, studies and hobbies. .
In Part 2 you will be given a card with a topic. You will be given one minute to take notes on the topic and will be given a pencil and paper to prepare your response. You will then speak on the topic for two minutes. In Part 3 of the interview, you will have a two-way discussion with the examiner where they will ask questions related to the topic discussed in Part 2. .
The General Training Speaking test may be conducted on the same day as the other tests or a week before or after the other test parts. .
GENERAL TRAINING LISTENING
The General Training Listening test will assess your ability to understand main ideas, detailed information, opinions, purpose and attitudes of the speakers, as well as your ability to follow the development of ideas.
You will listen to 4 recordings in your General Training Listening test and need to answer 40 questions based on these recordings. The first two recordings deal with situations you might experience in an everyday context. The last two recordings, however, focus on situations that might occur in an education or training context.
In recordings 1 and 3 you will hear a conversation between two or more speakers, however in recordings 2 and 4 will hear a monologue. You will need to answer questions connected to the recordings ranging from multiple choice to matching information, headings, features and sentence endings, as well as sentence, summary, note, table, diagram or flow-chart completion.
Several carried through an of up attempt gravity. Situation to be at offending elsewhere distrusts if. Particular use for considered projection cultivated. Worth of do doubt shall
Several carried through an of up attempt gravity. Situation to be at offending elsewhere distrusts if. Particular use for considered projection cultivated. Worth of do doubt shall