The PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a widely recognized English proficiency test that evaluates your ability to communicate in English across four key areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. For many test-takers, the reading section of the PTE can be particularly challenging but test takers can improve this by using the following tips and tricks.
1. Understand the PTE Reading Section
It is essential to understand what the reading section includes. The reading section in PTE is composed of various question types, such as:
- Fill in the blanks (Reading & Writing)
- Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers
- Re-order paragraphs
- Fill in the blanks (Reading)
- Multiple-choice, choose single answer
2. Expand Your Vocabulary
A good vocabulary is important to understand a wide range of texts. The more words you know, the easier it will be to understand the reading passages and answer the questions accurately.
Tips to expand your vocabulary:
- Read regularly: You should read books, articles, and newspapers in English to expose yourself to new words and phrases.
- Make flashcards: You should write new words and their meanings on flashcards and review them daily.
- Learn in context: Instead of memorizing isolated words, you should try to understand the meaning of context by seeing how they are used in sentences.
3. Improve Your Reading Speed
PTE’s reading section is time-sensitive, and it is crucial to read quickly while still
comprehending the material. You will need to balance speed with accuracy.
Ways to improve reading speed:
- Practice skimming and scanning: Skimming allows you to get the general idea of a passage, while scanning helps you find specific details. These techniques save time and reading efficiency.
- Set a timer: While practicing, set a timer to challenge yourself to read faster without compromising comprehension or use online software practice software like Sumlingo to prepare for the exam.
4. Practice Active Reading
Active reading means engaging with the text by asking questions, making predictions, and summarizing the content. It improves memory retention and understanding.
Active reading strategies:
- Highlight key information: You should identify important words or phrases that help you to find the correct answer.
5. Practice Different Question Types
Each question type in the PTE reading section requires a slightly different approach. Regular practice of these question types will help you familiarize yourself with the patterns and improve your performance.
Practice these specific question types:
- Re-order paragraphs: You should focus on understanding the logical flow of ideas. Identify the introduction, supporting details, and conclusion to arrange the sentences logically.
- Multiple-choice questions: You should read the questions first and underline keywords to focus your attention on relevant parts of the passage.
- Fill in the blanks: You should pay attention to context and word collocations to complete the blanks correctly. It enhances vocabulary and understanding of grammar.
6. Take Practice Tests
Regular practice is one of the most effective ways to improve. Taking practice tests in a real-time environment, managing time effectively, and identifying areas of weakness.
Why practice tests are important:
- Familiarize yourself with the test format: The more you practice, the more you will get used to the PTE’s format and question styles.
- Track your progress: You can track your progress and make necessary adjustments to your routine as per your study plan.
7. Focus on Time Management
Time management is important in this section. You must answer questions efficiently without spending too much time on any one item. You should practice in a real time environment to manage time effectively.
Tips for better time management:
- Don’t get stuck: If you find a question particularly challenging, move on to the next question by making an educated guess.
- Allocate time per question: You should keep an eye on the clock and try to allocate a set amount of time for each question to avoid rushing at the end.
8. Review Your Mistakes
After each practice test or reading exercise, review your mistakes carefully. You should try to understand why you got an answer wrong and look for patterns in your errors.
Key areas to review:
- Vocabulary: If you are missing questions because of unfamiliar words, review them and make sure you are improving your vocabulary.
- Comprehension skills: If you are missing the main idea of passages or getting caught up in minor details, then you should practice skimming and scanning techniques to improve your ability to grasp the central message quickly.
9. Stay Calm and Confident
During the final exam, you should try to keep yourself calm and confident. Don’t spend too much time on any question because sometimes the first question is deliberately tough to
kill your time. Try to attempt all questions with in the given time frame.
Test takers can take benefit from online practice software like Sumlingo to practice for their PTE exam and get their desired score.
