Free · current PTE format
PTE tips for every single question type.
What each task is scored on, the techniques that actually move your score, and the traps that quietly cost you points — for all three sections of the test.
Across the whole test
Five habits that lift every score
Audio plays once — so take notes
Every listening clip plays a single time and can't be replayed. Jot the main idea plus names, numbers and dates as you listen, then answer from your notes.
Wait for the tone, then don't stop
In speaking tasks, anything said before the mic opens isn't recorded. Once it opens, keep talking through the whole time — fluency rewards a steady, unbroken delivery.
Mind the negative marking
Multiple-choice multiple-answer (Reading & Listening) and Highlight Incorrect Words deduct a point for each wrong selection. Only choose what you're sure of — never tick everything.
Match meaning, not words
Correct options usually paraphrase the text or audio. The choice that reuses the most identical words is often the trap; read for what it actually means.
Respect the word ranges
Summarize Written Text is one sentence (5–75 words), Summarize Spoken Text is 50–70 words, the essay is 200–300. Falling outside the range costs easy Form marks.
How 90-scorers actually work
Exam-day strategies
The higher-level habits that decide scores — distilled from how top scorers approach the current test.
Speaking
Fluency beats perfection
If you stumble, never stop or correct yourself — a smooth answer with a small slip scores higher than a perfect one full of restarts. And note: three seconds of silence ends the recording automatically.
Use your own voice, not theirs
In Repeat Sentence and Retell Lecture, don't imitate the speaker's accent or copy their exact pauses. Reproduce the words clearly in your own natural rhythm.
Vary your template
Keep a reliable structure for Describe Image and Retell Lecture, but change the actual wording every single time. Human reviewers now flag answers that follow an identical, memorised template.
Finish a beat early, click Next yourself
Aim to wrap Describe Image around 35 seconds and press Next rather than waiting to be cut off — it stops the mic from recording coughs, throat-clears or background noise after you're done.
Writing
Paraphrase — don't copy
The summaries used to reward copying the source almost word-for-word. Now you should rework 40–50% of what you borrow: swap verbs, restructure clauses, and keep only the key content words.
Punctuation and capitals are scored
An essay written in ALL CAPITALS, or with no punctuation, is scored zero on Form. Use normal sentence case, full stops and commas — every time.
Use words you can spell
A simple, correctly-spelt word beats an impressive one with a typo. When unsure of a spelling (e.g. 'acknowledges', 'millimetres'), choose a safer synonym you're certain of.
Bring your own essay template
Build a unique structure you control rather than reusing a public template thousands of others also use — shared templates get flagged. A two-sided shape (one paragraph for, one against, then a balanced conclusion) is the easiest to fill to 200–300 words.
Reading
Do the negative-marking maths
On multiple-answer questions with five options, usually only two or three are correct. Never select them all — each wrong tick cancels a right one, so only choose what you're sure of.
Read the question before the text
Knowing whether you need the main idea, a specific detail, or the author's purpose tells you what to look for — and stops you re-reading the whole passage.
Don't rush the final questions
Reading is tightly timed, but finishing early and sloppy on the last two or three items quietly loses points. Pace yourself so every question gets real attention.
Listening
Write as you listen
The audio plays once. Take notes in parallel while it's still playing, catching the key idea in 3–4 word chunks instead of trying to remember whole sentences.
Don't delete your notes too soon
In Summarize Spoken Text the section timer starts the moment the audio plays — so type your notes into the answer box and keep them until you've reused every useful word.
Meaning over logic in summaries
The engine scores your vocabulary, grammar and spelling, plus how many real words from the audio you use — not whether every clause is perfectly logical. Get the keywords down cleanly and don't agonise over flow.
Across the test
Use the whiteboard
You're given an erasable whiteboard and pen on test day. Use it constantly — for Repeat Sentence, Retell Lecture, the discussions and dictation. Good notes are the single biggest lever in Listening.
Click Next on your own terms
Don't wait for the timer to auto-advance you. Moving on yourself keeps stray noise out of your recordings and keeps you in control of your pace.
76–84 min
Speaking & Writing
Read Aloud
6–7 per test · ~30–40s to prepare · then a short tone, mic opens, and you read
Instructions, the recording-status box, and a short paragraph you must read out loud.
Scored on
Tips
- In the prep time, whisper the text aloud rather than reading it silently — it warms up your mouth and surfaces tricky words.
- Mark the punctuation: pause briefly at commas and full stops. Pausing where the meaning breaks reads as fluent and natural.
- Check word stress on longer words before you start — placing the stress on the right syllable lifts your pronunciation score.
- Wait for the tone. Anything you say before the mic opens is not recorded.
Watch out
- • Don't skip, change or add words — content is scored on reading it exactly.
- • Don't race. A smooth, steady pace beats a fast one with hesitations and re-starts.
Repeat Sentence
10–12 per test · Sentence plays once · the mic opens immediately after (no beep)
Instructions and the recording-status box. You hear a sentence once, then repeat it.
Scored on
Tips
- Listen for the rhythm and the stressed words — the louder/longer words carry the meaning and anchor your memory.
- Start speaking the instant the mic opens. There is no tone here, so don't wait for one.
- Even if you miss a word, keep the natural rhythm going — fluency still earns marks.
- Don't copy the speaker's accent or pauses — say the words in your own clear, natural voice.
Watch out
- • Don't pause to think — hesitation costs fluency, and the longer you wait the more you forget.
- • Reproduce what you heard, not a tidied-up version of it.
Describe Image
5–6 per test · 25s to study · 40s to describe
Instructions, the recording-status box, and an image: a photo, chart, graph, map, table or process.
Scored on
Tips
- Open with one sentence saying what the image is, then describe the main elements and how they relate.
- Note any trend, change or extreme (highest, lowest, biggest jump) — these are high-value content points.
- Finish with a one-line conclusion or what it implies. A clear ending signals a complete answer.
- Keep talking for the full 40 seconds. A few natural 'um's are fine; silence is not.
- Keep a structure but vary the wording every time — examiners now flag answers that follow an obvious, identical template.
Watch out
- • Don't try to describe everything perfectly — cover the important points and keep moving.
- • Don't go silent searching for the perfect word. Approximate and continue.
Retell Lecture
2–3 per test · Lecture up to ~90s · 10s to prepare · 40s to answer
An audio (or video) lecture plays, then the recording-status box. You re-tell the lecture in your own words.
Scored on
Tips
- Take notes as you listen: the main idea plus 3–4 supporting points or examples.
- Re-tell the structure, not every word — state the topic, the key points, then a short conclusion.
- Use linking words (firstly, however, as a result) to make your 40 seconds sound organised.
- Write as you listen — catch the key phrase in 3–4 word chunks rather than trying to hold whole sentences in your head.
Watch out
- • Don't just name the topic — graders reward the supporting detail, so include specifics from your notes.
- • Don't run out of things to say at 20 seconds — plan to fill the full time.
Answer Short Question
5–6 per test · Question plays once · mic opens immediately · ~10s to answer
Instructions, an audio player, and a recording box. Sometimes an image relates to the question.
Scored on
Tips
- Answer in one word or a short phrase — a full sentence is not needed and you don't have time.
- Listen for the keywords in the question; they point straight at the answer (e.g. 'emergency vehicle … hospital' → ambulance).
- If you miss a word, guess from the words you did catch — a sensible guess often lands.
Watch out
- • Don't echo the words in the question — repeating 'emergency vehicle' instead of 'ambulance' is marked wrong.
- • It tests everyday vocabulary, not expert knowledge. Don't overthink it.
Summarize Group Discussion
New2–3 per test · Discussion up to ~3 min · 2 min to respond
An audio of several speakers discussing a topic, then the recording box. You summarise their points.
Scored on
Tips
- Track who says what: jot a quick note per speaker so you can attribute views ('one speaker argued…, another disagreed…').
- Summarise the range of opinions, then the common ground or conclusion — don't just repeat one person.
- You have two full minutes; pace yourself so you cover every speaker rather than spending it all on the first.
- Jot one quick line per speaker while they talk — you only get a few seconds after the audio to organise your answer.
Watch out
- • Don't give your own opinion — this task asks you to summarise theirs.
- • Don't miss a speaker — each viewpoint is content.
Respond to a Situation
New2–3 per test · Situation text ≤60 words · 10s to prepare · 40s to respond
A short everyday situation is shown and read to you, then the recording box. You respond appropriately.
Scored on
Tips
- Respond as you naturally would in real life — acknowledge the situation, then offer a clear, polite reply or solution.
- A simple structure works: react → explain → suggest. ('I understand… but… so how about…')
- Keep it conversational and complete; fill the 40 seconds with a real, relevant answer.
Watch out
- • Don't ignore the specifics of the scenario — a generic reply scores low on appropriateness.
Summarize Written Text
2 per test · 10 minutes · single sentence, 5–75 words
A reading passage (up to ~300 words) and a response box. You write ONE sentence that captures it.
Scored on
Tips
- Find the main idea and the one or two key supports, then join them with linking words into a single complex sentence.
- Stay in one sentence — use 'because', 'although', 'while', 'which' to combine ideas instead of full stops.
- Aim for roughly 25–40 words: enough to carry the content, short enough to stay grammatical.
- Paraphrase — reword 40–50% of what you borrow. Skip examples and anything in brackets, and end with a connector (thus, hence).
Watch out
- • A full stop in the middle breaks the 'one sentence' rule and zeros your Form score — proofread for it.
- • Don't copy whole chunks — paraphrase the main idea.
Write Essay
1 per test · 20 minutes · 200–300 words
A prompt stating a topic or two views, and a response box. You write an argumentative essay.
Scored on
Tips
- Use a clear 4-paragraph shape: intro (state your position) → two body paragraphs (one idea each, with an example) → conclusion.
- Stay inside 200–300 words. Going under or well over the range costs Form marks.
- Leave two minutes to proofread for grammar, spelling and that every paragraph links back to the question.
- Write in simple words you can spell, and never write in ALL CAPS or with no punctuation — that scores zero. A two-sided structure (one paragraph for, one against) is the easiest to fill.
Watch out
- • Don't drift off-topic — address exactly what the prompt asks.
- • Don't write one giant paragraph; structure is scored.
22–30 min
Reading
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
5–6 per test · Part of the 22–30 min Reading section
A passage with several gaps; each gap is a dropdown of word choices.
Scored on
Tips
- Read the whole sentence around the gap first — the word must fit both the meaning and the grammar.
- Use signpost words ('however', 'therefore', 'despite') to decide whether the gap continues or contrasts the idea.
- Try each option in the gap mentally; eliminate ones that are the wrong word class or change the meaning.
- Try every option, not just the first that fits — and watch British vs American spelling ('focusing' vs 'focussing').
Watch out
- • Don't pick a word that fits grammatically but breaks the meaning — both must be right.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
−1 per wrong2–3 per test · Part of the Reading section · negative marking
A reading text (up to ~350 words) on the left; a question with several checkboxes on the right.
Scored on
Tips
- Skim the whole text first for the gist, then read each option hunting for the matching idea in the text.
- The wording won't match exactly — look for the same meaning, not the same words.
- Eliminate options the text doesn't actually support; that confirms the ones that remain.
- With five options, usually only two or three are correct — never tick them all, or negative marking cancels your right answers.
Watch out
- • This task has negative marking, so don't tick everything to be safe — a wrong tick cancels a right one.
- • Watch the half-right traps: an option can mention the right topic but state the wrong thing.
Reorder Paragraphs
2–3 per test · Part of the Reading section · text ≤150 words
Several text boxes in a scrambled order; you drag them into a logical sequence.
Scored on
Tips
- Find the topic sentence first — it introduces the subject and usually has no back-reference.
- Follow the cohesion chain: pronouns ('this', 'they'), connectors ('however', 'as a result') and repeated nouns show what follows what.
- Once ordered, read it through as a paragraph — it should flow start to finish.
Watch out
- • A sentence starting with 'However' or 'This' almost never comes first — it depends on an earlier one.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks
4–5 per test · Part of the Reading section · text ≤80 words
A short passage with gaps and a bank of words below; you drag words into the blanks. There are more words than gaps.
Scored on
Tips
- For each gap, try the candidate words and judge both grammar (right word class?) and meaning (does it make sense?).
- Lean on collocation — words that naturally go together, like 'plot twist' or 'black comedy'.
- Place the words you're confident about first; the leftovers narrow down the harder gaps.
Watch out
- • There are extra words on purpose — fitting grammatically isn't enough, the meaning must hold.
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
2–3 per test · Part of the Reading section · text ≤300 words
A shorter reading text on the left; a question with several options and ONE correct answer.
Scored on
Tips
- Read the question before the text so you know whether you're after the main idea, a detail, or the purpose.
- Check every option even after you think you've found the answer — confirm by eliminating the rest.
- Match meaning, not wording — the correct option usually paraphrases the text ('trapped' = 'stuck').
Watch out
- • Don't be fooled by an option that uses words from the text but says something the text doesn't.
31–39 min
Listening
Summarize Spoken Text
1 per test · Audio 60–90s · 10 min · 50–70 words
An audio recording plays once, then a response box. You write a 50–70 word summary.
Scored on
Tips
- Take structured notes while listening — main idea plus the key supporting points.
- Write 2–3 sentences that capture the main idea and its main supports, then trim to the 50–70 word range.
- Leave a moment to fix spelling and grammar; both are scored here.
- Type your notes straight into the answer box as you listen, and don't clear them until you've reused every useful word — the timer starts when the audio plays.
Watch out
- • Under 50 or over 70 words costs Form marks — check the word count before moving on.
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
−1 per wrong2–3 per test · Audio 80–120s · negative marking
Instructions, a question with checkboxes, and an audio box. The recording plays once.
Scored on
Tips
- Take notes while you listen — you can't read the options and follow the audio at the same time.
- Note names, dates, numbers and the speaker's main claims; answer from your notes after it ends.
- Eliminate the options the recording contradicts to confirm the correct ones.
Watch out
- • Negative marking applies — don't over-select.
- • Listen for qualifiers: 'attempted many times … finally … two decades later' means it was slow, not quick.
Listening: Fill in the Blanks
2–3 per test · Audio 30–60s · type-in blanks
A transcript of the audio with words missing; you type the missing words as you listen.
Scored on
Tips
- Read the transcript before the audio starts so you know where the gaps fall and what's coming.
- Keep your fingers on the keyboard and type each missing word the moment you hear it.
- Spell carefully — a misspelt word doesn't score even if you heard it right.
Watch out
- • Don't fall behind: if you miss one gap, jump to the next rather than freezing on it.
Highlight Correct Summary
2–3 per test · Audio 30–90s · single answer
An audio plays once, then several summary paragraphs. You pick the one that best matches.
Scored on
Tips
- Note the overall message and any caveats ('promising, but needs replication') — the right summary keeps both.
- Reject summaries that overstate ('a clear positive effect') or contradict the recording.
- Pick the option that matches the whole meaning, not just one phrase you recognise.
Watch out
- • A summary can be mostly right but wrong on one key word ('contradicted' vs 'confirmed') — read each fully.
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
2–3 per test · Audio 30–90s · single answer
Instructions, a question with options, and an audio box. The recording plays once; one answer is correct.
Scored on
Tips
- Read the question first so you know what to listen for — main idea, a detail, or the speaker's attitude.
- Take notes; then choose from them and verify by eliminating the other options.
- Listen for meaning and tone, not just matching words.
Watch out
- • The option that reuses the most words from the audio isn't automatically correct.
Select Missing Word
1–2 per test · Audio 20–70s · single answer
An audio plays and ends with a beep in place of the final word(s); you choose what completes it.
Scored on
Tips
- Follow the logic of the whole recording — the ending should be the natural, sensible continuation.
- Be ready for the beep; the answer depends on the idea built across the last few sentences.
- Test each option in the final sentence and reject the ones that don't fit the meaning.
Watch out
- • Don't be tripped by an option linked to an earlier detail — it must complete the final thought.
Highlight Incorrect Words
−1 per wrong2–3 per test · Audio 15–50s · negative marking (per word)
A transcript on screen while the audio plays; some words on screen differ from what's spoken. Click the differences.
Scored on
Tips
- Read along with your eyes exactly in time with the voice so you catch the moment they diverge.
- Click only the words you're sure are different — guessing can cost you a point each.
- The audio plays once, so stay locked to the text from the first word.
Watch out
- • Negative marking is per word — a wrong click cancels a right one, so don't click on a hunch.
Write from Dictation
3–4 per test · Audio 3–5s · type the sentence
An audio plays once; you type the exact sentence you hear into a box. Cut/copy/paste buttons are available.
Scored on
Tips
- Understand the sentence as you hear it — when it makes sense it's far easier to hold in memory.
- Start typing the instant the audio ends and get every word down before you forget; don't fuss over spelling yet.
- Then re-read it: fix spelling, check no word is missing or out of order. This task carries a lot of weight in Listening.
Watch out
- • It's the last task and time may be short — check it quickly before the test ends.
- • Missing or misspelt words lose marks even if the rest is perfect.
Now put it into practice.
See each task live in the guided tour, then take a full scored mock.
Practice sample modelled on the official PTE Academic format — not a real exam question, and not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson. Confirm current rules at pearsonpte.com.