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From Fear to 90-90-90-90: My PTE-A Success Story and Preparation Tips
- Feb 21, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
🧲 Title (short, outcome-focused, clickable)
PTE Triumph: 90-90-90-90 after IELTS setbacks
⚡ Hook (2–3 lines)
After two disappointing IELTS runs, I switched to PTE and hit a perfect 90 in all sections. If you’re aiming for a fair, accurate measure of your skills, here’s exactly what I did and what I’d tweak next time.
📌 PTE Snapshot (People-like-me)
🎯 Goal:
Achieve a perfect PTE score (90-90-90-90) and show there’s a clear path for test-takers who struggle with speaking.
🌍 Context:
IELTS results were strong in Listening and Reading (9s) but weak in Speaking and Writing (7.5). Pivoted to PTE because it felt fairer and more reflective of true ability.
🗓️ Timeline:
Decided to switch after IELTS; focused preparation on Describe the Graph with Apeuni; practiced Retell Lecture, Repeat Sentence, and Listening tasks; exam day felt nervous but went well.
⛓️ Constraints:
Weak area in Extended Speaking; pronunciation slips in Read Aloud; one Repeat Sentence got tangled; overall nervousness in the lobby before the test.
Outcome:
Perfect scores across core sections (90-90-90-90); Extended Speaking not at max; felt the exam aligned with my prep and abilities.
🧾 Evidence:
Score breakdown noted as 90-90-90-90 in the experience; extensive Describe the Graph prep on Apeuni; friendlier, fair-scoring format observed in PTE.
🧭 The Journey (What happened)
I was genuinely scared of the PTE at first, especially after two IELTS runs where Speaking and Writing pulled me down despite solid Listening and Reading. I decided to switch to PTE because the format and scoring felt more aligned with my actual skills. The moment I saw the possibility of a fairer evaluation, I leaned into a focused plan.
Most of my prep concentrated on Describe the Graph. I came from an IELTS background, where graph descriptions were mostly writing tasks, so I needed to translate that comfort into speaking. I also wanted to shore up the other speaking tasks and listening sections, since a balanced score matters as much as a perfect one.
I mapped out a straightforward preparation routine. Apeuni became the backbone of practice: hundreds of graph tasks, plus non-graph tasks like maps and process diagrams. For Describe the Graph, I built a four-step system:
Step 1: Formulaic Introductions for different graph types (line, bar, pie). Example: “The line chart compares the production rates of two companies between 1970 and 1999.”
Step 2: Formulaic Conclusions to handle subject-object inversion. Example: “The value is different for each category” vs. “Each category has a different value.”
Step 3: Vocabulary for the Main Paragraph. I grabbed words like “contribute,” “attributed to,” “makes up,” and “constitutes” to describe values clearly.
Step 4: Practice Conclusions to build fluency, plus practice non-graph tasks on Apeuni.
Beyond Describe the Graph, I tackled Retell Lecture (about 10 tasks) with a focus on capturing key points rather than micromanaging every detail, Repeat Sentence (a handful of tasks to sharpen accuracy), and Listening (Describe the right answer tasks). I did not push Writing aggressively because IELTS prep had already made PTE writing feel easy for me, so I centralized practice on areas that actually felt tougher in speaking and listening.
Exam day brought nerves—specifically in the lobby after meeting a candidate who had not scored 40 twice despite solid English. But my preparation helped me stay calm and execute what I’d practiced. The experience felt fair and aligned with my prep, and the outcomes reinforced that focused practice pays off.
Key takeaways that stuck:
Authenticity over templates: real, natural responses beat overused templates every time.
Practice consistency, especially for weaker sections, because that’s where most gains come from.
Confidence matters: trust your preparation, stay calm, and let your practice guide you.
💡 What Worked (Xperify Insights)
✅ Insight #1 (Authenticity over templates)
Why it worked: Natural language and structure resonated with the scoring, reducing mechanical feel and keeping responses coherent.
Do this next 👇
Ditch rigid templates; use flexible openings and conclusions.
Practice speaking in your own words around common graph prompts.
Record and compare deliveries to ensure natural flow.
Build quick, personal ways to start and end each answer.
Time your responses to avoid overlong intros.
Review mistakes to spot overly templated phrases.
Evidence note: Present. The author emphasizes avoiding templates and focusing on natural structure.
✅ Insight #2 (Systematic Describe the Graph routine)
Why it worked: A repeatable framework cut guesswork and boosted fluency under pressure.
Do this next 👇
Create a library of opening sentences for line, bar, and pie graphs.
Develop two conclusion templates for inversion handling.
Expand vocabulary for describing values (e.g., contribute, attributed to, constitutes).
Practice each step separately, then combine quickly.
Include non-graph tasks (maps, process diagrams) to generalize the approach.
Evidence note: Present. The four-step process is explicitly laid out in preparation steps.
✅ Insight #3 (Balance practice across sections)
Why it worked: A well-rounded practice plan prevented neglect of any area and reinforced confidence across the board.
Do this next 👇
Schedule targeted practice for weaker sections despite confidence in others.
Alternate between graph tasks and other task types to build versatility.
Periodically test yourself under timed conditions.
Track which task types still feel awkward and address them specifically.
Evidence note: Present. The author notes focusing on Describe the Graph and other tasks, and that writing was not heavily practiced.
✅ Insight #4 (Use reliable resources like Apeuni)
Why it worked: A central, proven set of tasks accelerated familiarity with test formats and types.
Do this next 👇
Use Apeuni as a primary practice hub for graph tasks.
Add occasional tasks from maps and process diagrams to broaden coverage.
Pair tasks with the exact routines above for maximum transfer.
Evidence note: Present. Apeuni is cited as the primary tool for practice.
✅ Insight #5 (Stay calm on exam day)
Why it worked: Mental readiness and confidence reduced mistakes and helped execution align with preparation.
Do this next 👇
Develop a quick breathing/centering routine before speaking.
Run through a final, light review of key phrases and openings.
Stick to your planned structure and timing during the test.
Evidence note: Present. The anecdote about feeling nervous but positive aligns with this insight.
🗓️ 7-Day Mini Plan (simple + realistic)
Day 1:
Build a library of opening sentences for line, bar, and pie graphs; note two strong concluding templates.
Day 2:
Practice Describe the Graph tasks (5–7 prompts) using the four-step routine; focus on fluency.
Day 3:
Practice non-graph tasks (maps, process diagrams) to generalize structure; add 3 Retell Lecture tasks.
Day 4:
Retell Lecture practice with emphasis on key point capture; practice 6 tasks.
Day 5:
Repeat Sentence and Listening drills (6–8 tasks) with emphasis on accuracy and rhythm.
Day 6:
Full timed practice set covering Describe the Graph, Retell, Repeat Sentence, and Listening; record for review.
Day 7:
Review mistakes, refine openings/conclusions, rehearse calm-down routine, and finalize the plan.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-relying on templates instead of natural language.
Under-practicing weaker sections (especially speaking/listening).
Ignoring pronunciation tweaks in Read Aloud.
Reversing word order or misplacing modifiers in recovery phrases (Repeat Sentence).
Assuming IELTS strategies transfer directly to PTE without adaptation.
Getting overwhelmed by lobby nerves when a solid prep plan exists.
Skipping non-graph tasks, which hurts overall versatility.
Neglecting to review mistakes and adjust the approach accordingly.
🧠 If You're Like Me…
If you’re someone who fears a test at first but has some foundations from another format, you can still nail PTE with a disciplined, targeted plan. Don’t chase perfect templates; chase solid communication, practice that strengthens your weak spots, and trust the process. With the right resources and a calm mindset, a fair, achievable result is well within reach.
🔎 Provenance
Source platform: Reddit
Posted date: 2025-02-21
Author: r/AusVisa/xeborg Redditor
Transformation note: This is a rewritten, structured summary for learning; original credit remains with the author.
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