20 days may seem like a lot of time, but if you want to ace the Pearson PTE, it’s not. In fact, in just 20 short days you can be fully prepared for this important English language test. So, how do you prepare in such a short time? Follow our handy guide and we’ll help take the guesswork out of your study plan!
PTE is an acronym for Pearson Test of English and is an international English Language assessment launched by Pearson Education Ltd. It is accepted by many colleges and universities as one of the criteria for admission into their programs.
The test measures all four language skills – listening, reading, writing, and speaking – with each skill being given equal weight in the final score. Scores are valid for two years after the test date.
The Pearson PTE has a lot of competition in the English Language testing department and is largely used by non-native speakers who want to study abroad or who are planning to work abroad.
The test is an excellent predictor of academic skills such as reading, writing, and comprehension. It also features an on-screen speaking assessment which plays a major role in determining your final score.
This article contains everything you need to know about how to prepare for the Pearson PTE in just 20 days:
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Table of Contents
How To Prepare For The Pearson PTE In 20 Days?
What Is The Test’s Structure?
PTE consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking with sections being given equal weighting in the final score.
It is important to note that, unlike other English tests that require you to pay for each section individually, with PTE all four sections are included in your one test fee.
Listening (30 minutes) – One 30-minute section of recorded data will be played and you will answer questions relevant to the recording in writing under a time limit of 30 minutes. The content can either be academic or social depending on what type of test you sign up for.
Reading (60 minutes) – This 60-minute section comprises two tasks: Task 1 has three parts which must be completed within 20 minutes and it requires you to complete sentence/paragraph-based tasks using the information provided in an academic text or dialogue between people.
Task 2 has four parts and must be completed within 40 minutes. This task presents you with a sentence/paragraph with one word/phrase missing which you must complete correctly to get full marks.
Writing (60 minutes) – The 60-minute long writing section requires you to produce two essays in the time provided. One essay will require you to formulate an issue-based argument, while the other will ask you to describe opinions or events.
Speaking (11-14 minutes) – One examiner will assess your oral English skills by asking you up to three questions related to academic prompts, social topics, or personal experiences taken from recording stimuli for this section of the test.
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Minimum Requirements To Do Well
As mentioned before, P is favored by non-native speakers, so the minimum requirements are not as high as other English tests. However, there are some basic criteria you must meet to take the exam.
IELTS Band Score – It is recommended that you have a general IELTS band score of 5.0. If you only have a 4.5 band score but good academic grades, Pearson will review your application on an individual basis to determine whether or not they should accept your test scores based on your transcripts and prior academic performance outside of English class/tests.
Academic Credits
The Pearson PTE is a great way for students who do not speak fluent English to prove their knowledge by taking it alongside an Academic Exam, however, if one intends to use this test for immigration purposes, 6.5 academic credits are required.
How To Achieve 6.5 Academic Credits?
English Proficiency Exam – It is recommended that you take an English proficiency exam alongside the Pearson PTE to prove your fluency level in English.
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What You Need For The Test Day
Make sure you have all of the following to complete the test successfully: Valid Photo ID- You must have a passport or another valid form of photo ID on the day of the test ie driver’s License with Passport Add Pencils No. 2 or Ball Point Pens No 1 for Section 3 only A Calculator (optional) Scratch Paper and good handwriting skills may be needed during Speaking section Extra time/breaks and a bottle of water as needed as you will be tested for a total of 240 minutes.
Where To Find The Pearson PTE Application Form?
To sign up for the PTE, make sure that you have an internet connection and access to a printer. You can apply for the test directly from Pearson’s official website: pteonline.com, where you will find a link that redirects you to the PTE registration page after providing some personal information such as your first and last name, email address, and country of residence.
Once you click on the ‘Register Now’ button, you will need to pay the registration fee before selecting a test date at one of many Prometric Test Centers located all over the world. After making payment online with a credit card, you will be redirected to your account where you can access important information about the PTE.
Where To Find The Test Centers?
Pearson offers test centres in over 160 countries worldwide and is constantly opening new Prometric Test Sites. You may find a full list of test centres and their addresses here: Pearson VUE/Prometric Testing Site Locator or directly from Pearson’s website by clicking on the ‘Test Center Finder’ link which leads to the following page: http://pearsonpte.com/find-a-test-center.
On this page, you will be able to search for a specific address or simply click on the map indicated with color codes showing where each Prometric site is located. After finding out the address of your nearest test centre, you may want to check whether or not there are any available slots for the PTE on the date that fits your schedule.
You can find a list of available test dates and their corresponding registration fees here: Pearson VUE/Prometric Test Date Schedule (click on the ‘Registration Fee’ button to check availability).
When is The Best Time To Take This English Exam?
There is only one answer – It depends. Although most people take this exam as a way to prove their language skills during the university application process, it is also accepted as proof by British Visas and Immigration (UKVI) which means that if you have been invited by a college or university to attend an international conference or a meeting, make sure to provide your PTE score.
FAQs
Which English Exam Should I Take?
For immigration purposes, the well-known International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is chosen by UKVI instead of this exam. However, when it comes to university entrance, you will need to take both PTE Academic and General because some universities in your country may require you to prove language skills with both exams even though you have already achieved 6.5 academic credits for the Pearson test.
What Is Considered An Acceptable Score On The PTE?
You can find an official list of all scores accepted by various universities on page 8 of the following document: http://pearsonpte.com/assets/docs/PTE_Academic-Country-List.pdf (click on the ‘University Acceptances’ tab).
How Long Does It Take To Receive My PTE Score?
You will be able to access your online score report after finishing the test by clicking on the Results link which you can find on your account page at Pearson’s website. Your score will also be available for printing together with a certificate of completion about 30 days after completing the exam although some universities may require you to provide an official hard copy as well.
What Is The Level Of English Required For This Exam?
Although there are no official IELTS band scores required for this exam, colleges and universities set their prerequisites ranging from 3.0 to 7.0 in all four language skills. Check with your university to find out what is acceptable for them.
What If I Fail The English Exam?
In case you do not meet the score requirement for Pearson PTE Academic, you may want to consider retaking this exam after a few months or take IELTS instead which has been specifically created for people who need to prove their language proficiency when applying to universities around the world.
Do not forget that there are many British colleges and universities where you can study business administration even if your English level is lower than C1! Good luck!
