Common Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Academic Exam

Why Do Test-Takers Lose Marks in PTE?

The PTE Academic Exam is designed to assess your English proficiency accurately. However, many test-takers lose valuable points due to avoidable mistakes, even those who are fluent in English.

If you are preparing for PTE Academic, understanding the most common mistakes and how to avoid them can significantly boost your score. In this blog, we will discuss the top mistakes students make in Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening and how to fix them.

Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Speaking Section

❌ Speaking Too Fast or Too Slowly - Many candidates believe speaking fast will make them sound fluent, but PTE’s AI system prioritises clarity over speed. Speaking too slowly, on the other hand, can make you sound unnatural.

✅ Solution: Maintain a steady, natural pace and pronounce words clearly.

❌ Pausing or Hesitating Too Much - The AI scoring system detects hesitation and lowers your fluency score if you pause too often or use fillers like “umm” and “uhh.”

✅ Solution: Practice speaking in full sentences confidently and avoid long pauses.

❌ Ignoring Intonation and Pronunciation - Since PTE is AI-scored, pronunciation plays a key role. Many test-takers speak in a monotone, which affects their speaking fluency score.

✅ Solution: Use natural intonation and emphasise important words in a sentence.

Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Writing Section

❌ Writing Too Much or Too Little - The PTE Writing section has strict word limits. Writing too few words means missing key points, while writing too many words can lead to penalties.

✅ Solution:

• Summarise Written Text: Write between 5-75 words

• Essay Writing: Write between 200-300 words

  
  

❌ Ignoring Grammar and Spelling Errors - AI-based scoring systems instantly detect spelling mistakes and grammar issues, which can lower your score significantly.

✅ Solution: Always proofread your answers before submitting them.

❌ Not Using Proper Structure in Essays - Many test-takers write long, unstructured paragraphs, which can lower their coherence score.

✅ Solution: Use a clear essay structure: Introduction → Main Body (2 paragraphs) → Conclusion

Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Reading Section

❌ Spending Too Much Time on One Question - Unlike IELTS, PTE has a strict time limit, and spending too much time on difficult questions can prevent you from finishing the section.

✅ Solution: If a question takes too long, move on and return later if time allows.

❌ Not Reading the Full Passage Before Answering - Some students skim the passage too quickly and miss key details, leading to incorrect answers.

✅ Solution: Always read the full passage carefully, especially for Fill in the Blanks and Reorder Paragraphs.

❌ Guessing Without Eliminating Wrong Answers - Many test-takers guess blindly in multiple-choice questions, which reduces accuracy.

✅ Solution: Use the elimination method—remove obviously wrong choices first to improve your chances of selecting the right answer.

Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Listening Section

❌ Not Taking Notes in Summarise Spoken Text - The Listening section moves quickly, and many students rely on memory instead of note-taking, leading to incomplete answers.

✅ Solution: Develop quick note-taking skills using keywords and abbreviations.

❌ Not Using Headphones Properly - Some students don't adjust their headphones properly, causing them to mishear words and lose marks.

✅ Solution: Test your headphones before the exam and adjust the volume for clarity.

❌ Ignoring Spelling in Write From Dictation - Many test-takers forget to check spelling in the Write from Dictation task, resulting in unnecessary lost marks.

✅ Solution: Double-check spelling and punctuation before submitting.

The PTE Academic Exam is highly structured, and understanding common mistakes will help you avoid losing unnecessary marks.

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