My PTE Core Exam Experience: Tips, Strategies, and Insights

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Mar 27, 2024
2 min read

Introduction:
- Recently took the PTE Core exam in Adelaide, South Australia.
- Sharing my experience to help others understand the format, environment, and preparation strategies for PTE Core.
Before the Exam:
- Booking the Exam: Similar to PTE Academic. Ensure all details (date, time, venue) are correct in the confirmation email.
- Arrival: Reach the test center 30 minutes early. Late arrivals can cause unnecessary stress.
- Documentation: Only bring your passport. Remove any slips or additional papers (e.g., visa slips) to avoid issues.
- Rules and Instructions: Read the provided rules carefully. Understand what items are allowed inside the exam room (e.g., no water bottles, handkerchiefs).
Exam Day Experience:
- Check-In Process:
  - Fingerprint scanning and passport verification.
  - Ensure your country of residence and country of citizenship are correctly entered during booking.
- Exam Room:
  - Shared with both PTE Academic and PTE Core test-takers.
  - No Scheduled Breaks: Unscheduled breaks (e.g., for washroom) will eat into your exam time.
- Materials Provided:
  - Notepad and Marker Pens: Check both pens for functionality. Keep lids closed to prevent drying.
  - Do not write anything on the notepad before the exam starts.
During the Exam:
- Speaking Section:
  - Microphone Check: Ensure your voice is recorded clearly. If there’s an issue, request new headphones immediately.
  - Read Aloud: 6–7 questions, similar to PTE Academic.
  - Repeat Sentence: 10 questions, with some longer sentences (12–14 words). Focus on clarity and fluency.
  - Describe Image: 3 questions, all colorful graphs.
  - Respond to a Situation: 3 questions, straightforward and easy to answer.
  - Answer Short Questions: 10 questions, answered with one-word responses.
- Writing Section:
  - Summarize Written Text: 1 question, 10 minutes, 25–50 words. Multiple sentences are allowed.
  - Write an Email: 2 questions, 9 minutes each, 100–120 words. Follow a structured format (greeting, purpose, bullet points, closing).
- Reading Section:
  - Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks: 5–6 questions.
  - Multiple Choice Questions (Single/Multiple Answer): 1–2 questions.
  - Reorder Paragraphs: 3 questions.
  - Reading Fill in the Blanks: 4–5 questions.
- Listening Section:
  - Summarize Spoken Text: 1 question, 20–30 words, 10 minutes.
  - Multiple Choice Questions (Single/Multiple Answer): 1–2 questions.
  - Select Missing Word: 1 question.
  - Highlight Incorrect Words: 1 question.
  - Write from Dictation: 4 questions, average length of 10–14 words.
Key Tips for Success:
- Speaking:
  - Speak clearly and at a normal volume. Avoid shouting or screaming.
  - Use templates for Describe Image and Respond to Situation.
- Writing:
  - Follow a structured format for emails.
  - Summarize written text in multiple sentences (25–50 words).
- Reading:
  - Manage time effectively (2 minutes per question).
  - Focus on understanding the context and using grammatical rules.
- Listening:
  - Practice Write from Dictation extensively.
  - Take care of spellings and punctuation in Summarize Spoken Text.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Rushing: Take your time during the microphone check and speaking tasks.
- Ignoring Instructions: Follow all rules provided by the test center.
- Poor Time Management: Allocate time wisely, especially in the Reading and Listening sections.
After the Exam:
- Results: Received within 5 business days.
- Confirmation Email: Ensure you receive an email confirming your test completion within 1–2 hours.
Conclusion:
- PTE Core is slightly shorter and less complex than PTE Academic.
- Focus on high-impact tasks like Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, and Summarize Spoken Text.
- Stay calm, follow instructions, and trust your preparation.

Good luck with your PTE Core journey!

Shared by M and MM PTE / NAATI

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