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How I Achieved a Perfect 90 in PTE: Tips, Tricks, and Strategies
- Medium
- Apr 8, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
🧲 Title (short, outcome-focused, clickable)
90 in every PTE section: how I turned a string of attempts into a perfect score (and what I’d do differently next time)
⚡ Hook (2–3 lines)
I chased a perfect 90 in all PTE sections after several tries, learning what truly moves the needle.
This is what worked, why it mattered, and the concrete steps I’d repeat (or tweak) if I started again today.
📌 PTE Snapshot (People-like-me)
🎯 Goal: Achieve a superior English score (79+ in each section) for Australian PR; ultimately reach 90 in all sections.
🌍 Context: Web/mobile app developer aiming for PR; needed strong English for points and immigration requirements.
🗓️ Timeline: Prep began May 2018; reached 90s by the 5th attempt (final attempt yielded all 90s). Final published outcome summarized here in 2019.
⛓️ Constraints: Continued exam attempts, time management across sections, balancing practice volume with real-life work.
Outcome: Perfect 90 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing on the final attempt.
🧾 Evidence: Present — documented score progression across attempts (L, R, S, W) and final 90s; resources and strategies referenced.
🧭 The Journey (What happened)
I started PTE preparation in May 2018 with scores hovering in the mid-60s to low-70s in several sections. My goal was clear: a “Superior English” result (79+ in each section) to maximize PR points for Australia. The journey unfolded across five attempts, with a steady climb in every section.
First attempt: I touched 73 in Listening and Reading, 81 in Speaking, 68 in Writing. Not bad, but far from the target in Writing and the others.
Second attempt: I pushed to 81 in Listening, 77 in Reading, 87 in Speaking, 79 in Writing. A relief in Speaking, but Reading and Writing still needed work.
Third attempt: 81 in Listening, 78 in Reading, 90 in Speaking, 82 in Writing. The big breakthrough came in Speaking, but Reading remained a soft spot and Writing still wasn’t perfect.
Fourth attempt: 78 in Listening, 83 in Reading, 90 in Speaking, 83 in Writing. Consistency improved, but Listening dipped a bit and I kept eyes on Writing.
Fifth attempt: 90 in all four sections. This was the payoff after methodical practice, pattern understanding, and focused test strategies.
Key takeaway from the progression: you don’t need perfection everywhere from day one; you need a plan that emphasizes high-yield areas, consistent practice, and smart test-taking habits. I leaned heavily on repeatable patterns and templates for writing, plus targeted drills for the most impactful sections.
I built my approach around a few core ideas: believe improvement is possible with deliberate practice, analyze the exam pattern deeply, and concentrate effort on the sections that pay the biggest dividends (Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, and RWFIB). I used a mix of online resources (PTEtutorials, PTEstudy, RealPTE, CareerCoves, E2E, V2 PTE), plus a large volume of practice questions (roughly 1500 for WFD and RS, 500 for RWFIB, 250 for Reorder Paragraphs). The plan recommended five weeks of practice with mocks at weeks 2 and 4, and the real exam after week 5.
From there, I built out section-specific tips that helped me keep a steady pace, avoid gaps, and stay calm during the exam. Speaking required a smooth rhythm and consistent pronunciation; I used text-to-speech tools to imitate native intonation. For Reading, I focused on fast comprehension, collocations, and smart guessing. Writing relied on grammar basics, but with the flexibility to write original sentences rather than relying solely on templates. Listening demanded varied exposure—podcasts, movies without subtitles, and repeated material to lock in language patterns. In Reading Aloud and Describe Image, swift clarity and fluent storytelling mattered, while Retell Lecture and Short Answer questions rewarded keyword capture and concise, accurate responses.
The path to a perfect score was not about a single trick but about disciplined practice, quick feedback loops, and a daily habit of reinforcing high-yield tasks. The biggest strategic shift was to push heavy practice in the two most score-sensitive areas (WFD and RS) while ensuring all other sections stayed sharp through steady, repeatable routines.
💡 What Worked (Xperify Insights)
✅ Insight #1 (Prioritize high-yield sections)
Why it worked: The most dramatic gains came from concentrated practice on Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, and RWFIB, which drive a large share of total score improvements.
Do this next 👇
Identify your top 2–3 high-yield sections early.
Build a daily drill routine focused on those sections.
Use timed practice to mimic test conditions.
Review mistakes the same day and target patterns that caused errors.
Track progress with a simple scorecard.
Re-balance weekly to keep other sections sharp.
Works best when: you can clearly isolate high-impact tasks and measure improvement.
Might not work when: you neglect other sections and let them slip.
Evidence note: Present — strategy and emphasis clearly reflected in the journey and resources described.
✅ Insight #2 (Mock exams plus spaced repetition)
Why it worked: Mock tests at key milestones revealed gaps and built test stamina, with a realistic sense of pacing and pressure.
Do this next 👇
Schedule mock exams after about 2 weeks and 4 weeks of practice.
Simulate real test conditions (timing, breaks, environment).
Review results in detail; chart weak vs. strong areas.
Adjust the practice plan for the next phase based on results.
Ensure at least one full-length mock before the actual test.
Use mock outcomes to calibrate time management.
Works best when: you treat mocks as diagnostic tools, not just practice runs.
Might not work when: mocks are ignored or skipped.
Evidence note: Present — the plan and milestones were explicitly recommended in the experience and supported by the progression notes.
✅ Insight #3 (Volume-minded practice with realistic quotas)
Why it worked: A structured volume target (thousands of WFD/RS drills, hundreds for RWFIB) created fluency and familiarity with formats.
Do this next 👇
Set daily quotas for WFD, RS, and RWFIB (e.g., 50 WFD, 30 RS, 10 RWFIB).
Use a mix of real questions and simulated prompts.
Revisit incorrect prompts to extract the exact error pattern.
Gradually increase difficulty or variety as you improve.
Keep a log of practice sessions for accountability.
Regularly rotate through other sections to prevent tunnel vision.
Works best when: you can sustain consistent daily practice.
Might not work when: practice becomes sporadic or unfocused.
Evidence note: Present — the exact drill counts were outlined in the preparation plan.
✅ Insight #4 (Templates with personalized writing)
Why it worked: Templates gave structure, but writing with original content kept the work authentic and precise.
Do this next 👇
Use templates for structure, but always tailor content to the prompt.
Practice writing sentences with emphasis on key keywords.
Build a mental list of common phrases that fit various prompts.
After each writing practice, rewrite improving clarity and grammar.
Run quick grammar checks and refine sentence variety.
Keep a personal glossary of topic-specific vocabulary.
Works best when: you value structure without sacrificing originality.
Might not work when: templates become crutches and hinder authentic expression.
Evidence note: Present — the strategy explicitly mentioned templates plus emphasis on original wording.
✅ Insight #5 (Time management and presence of mind)
Why it worked: Starting slightly late in a session helped curb distractions; staying calm and focused boosted performance across sections.
Do this next 👇
Start each section with focus cues and breathing to settle in.
Allocate time blocks and strict micro-deadlines for each item.
Minimize interruptions and keep a consistent pace.
Use short, deliberate responses to avoid rushed mistakes.
Review one or two high-yield checks per section toward the end.
Works best when: you can maintain steady, calm engagement during lengthy sections.
Might not work when: you rush through tasks due to panic or fatigue.
Evidence note: Present — the final advice section includes time management and presence of mind.
🗓️ 7-Day Mini Plan (simple + realistic)
Day 1: Take a baseline diagnostic mock, note strongest/weakest areas, and set daily quotas for WFD, RS, and RWFIB.
Day 2: Deep-dive into RS and WFD drills; use templates for WFD but write original sentences.
Day 3: Practice Read Aloud and Describe Image with a focus on fluency and clarity; time each response.
Day 4: Full-length, timed practice focusing on pacing; identify bottlenecks.
Day 5: Targeted review of Reading & Listening sections; work on keywords and paraphrasing approaches for SWT and DI.
Day 6: Mock test focusing on time pressure; apply breathing routines and presence of mind techniques.
Day 7: Reflect, adjust the plan based on results, and finalize readiness checklist.
🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading with practice but skipping analysis of errors.
Ignoring the high-yield sections that drive most points.
Relying too heavily on templates; forget to customize responses.
Skipping full-length practice or mocks that mirror actual test conditions.
Not tracking progress or adjusting the plan when results stagnate.
Underestimating time management and pacing during the test.
Neglecting vocabulary and collocations in Reading and Listening.
Failing to simulate test-day conditions (environment, breaks, focus).
🧠 If You're Like Me…
Progress in PTE doesn’t happen by luck; it comes from steady, purposeful work and a willingness to adjust based on what the exam actually prioritizes. You’ll improve by embracing a disciplined plan, focusing on high-yield tasks, and staying calm during test day. Trust the process, practice smart, and keep the goal in sight.
🔎 Provenance
Source platform: Medium
Posted date: 2019-04-09
Author: Avinash Adluri
Transformation note: This is a rewritten, structured summary for learning; original credit remains with the author.
🏷️ Tags
#PTE #PTEPreparation #EnglishTest #TestPrep #Reading #Listening #Speaking #Writing #Templates #MockTests #StudyPlan #Career #PR #Australia #IELTSalternative #LanguageLearning #ExamStrategy
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