Pearson releases guide for candidates to excel in the PTE Academic exam

Dubai: Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, has unveiled a comprehensive preparatory guide designed to assist PTE Academic Test takers in achieving excellence. In the UAE and MENA region, many aspire to study or advance their careers in English-first countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. These nations mandate specific scores in government-approved English proficiency tests like PTE Academic. Effective preparation is vital for success and integrating this into daily life boosts competitiveness. Pearson's guide helps test-takers achieve their desired score on the exam.

To achieve the highest score students should start by understanding the content and structure of the exam. The 20 question types include Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Written Text, and Re-Order Paragraphs. Identify the skills tested by each question type and find practical ways to develop those skills. For instance, to improve their speaking ability, candidates can watch short online videos and summarise them, or engage in conversations with English speakers and summarise their input.

The PTE Academic exam covers a broad range of topics, examinees should understand what is being asked in each question and find related vocabulary to express themselves. Expand language skills through the consumption of documentaries, dramas, podcasts, and vlogs. Additionally, read newspapers, magazines, academic papers, blogs, and short stories to enhance reading and comprehension skills. The more diverse topics explored, the better prepared to tackle any subject that comes up in the exam.

Incorporating a structured approach enhances quick thinking and English proficiency in exams. For tasks like ‘Describe Image’, candidates can use IDEA (Identify, Describe, Explain, Analyse): first, recognise image type and key details, then elaborate, explain their significance, and conclude with critical analysis. This approach ensures effective responses, even when specific questions are unknown beforehand.

In the ‘Write Essay' task, candidates should express ideas in their own words and completely avoid using memorised scripts. Plan the response using the Point, Illustrate, Explain (PIE) method. Identify the main point, note down supporting examples, and explain how those examples relate to the argument. Planning the essay beforehand will help them write more efficiently and logically. Test-takers should use language that they understand and are comfortable with to avoid mistakes and sound natural in their writing.

Candidates should utilise official test materials to simulate the exam experience and get a sense of progress. Scored practice tests provide an indication of performance in the actual exam. The PTE Question Bank offers 300 questions and answers for each task type, and examinees can focus on areas that require improvement. The Official Guide to PTE for Test Takers is another valuable resource for understanding exam format and guidelines. The Academic Collocation List also enhances knowledge of common word combinations in academic English.

By following this guide and dedicating ample time for regular practice, candidates can boost their knowledge and skills required to achieve success in the PTE Academic exam. The key is concentration, time management, and to remain calm on the test day.

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