How I Scored 90 in PTE Academic: Preparation Tips and Strategies

1. Introduction:

   • Appeared for the PTE Academic exam on 15th December after 2 weeks of focused preparation.

   • Achieved a perfect score of 90 in all sections (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) with an overall score of 90.

   • An average English speaker with strong listening skills developed through watching English content on YouTube and Netflix.

2. Preparation Strategy:

   • Step 1: Assess Your Current Level

     • Purchase the PTE Academic Gold Test Preparation Kit (cost: $60 for 2 practice tests).

     • Take the first mock test without preparation to identify strengths and weaknesses.

     • Example: Mock Test 1 score without preparation:

       • Overall: 76

       • Listening: 77, Reading: 72, Speaking: 72, Writing: 78

   • Step 2: Score Assessment

     • If your score is below 60, dedicate 1–1.5 months to improve foundational skills.

     • If your score is above 70, focus on exam format, tips, and tricks to reach 79+.

     • Book the actual exam 15 days after achieving a 70+ score.

   • Step 3: Start Preparation

     • Follow free E2 PTE Academic YouTube videos for structured guidance.

     • Focus on essay writing, re-tell lecture, and describe image techniques.

   • Step 4: Practice Regularly

     • Use the PTE Gold Kit for practice, but supplement with additional resources.

     • Record and review your speaking exercises to identify mistakes.

     • Practice 5 re-tell lectures and 5 describe images daily in the final 5 days.

   • Step 5: Take the Second Mock Test

     • Example: Mock Test 2 score on 13th December:

       • Overall: 87

       • Listening: 90, Reading: 77, Speaking: 90, Writing: 85

3. Test Day Experience:

   • The actual exam algorithm tends to give higher scores compared to mocks.

   • Performed slightly better on the actual exam despite feeling average during the test.

4. Miscellaneous Tips:

   • Avoid overwhelming yourself with too many YouTube resources; stick to verified sources.

   • Use Navjot Brar’s videos for emergency tips but avoid over-reliance on her methods.

   • Click “Next” immediately after completing speaking tasks.

   • Word count recommendations:

     • Essay: 270–290 words

     • Summary: 35–40 words

     • Listening Summary: 55–65 words

   • Speak for 35+ seconds in describe image and re-tell lecture tasks.

   • In Answer Short Questions, respond immediately even if unsure; silence leads to no score.

   • Stay confident even if mistakes occur during the speaking section.

5. Final Advice:

   • Stay focused, practice consistently, and trust your preparation.

   • All the best for your PTE Academic journey!

Shared by Lokanath Tripathy