10 Common Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs in The PTE Academic Exam
When taking the PTE Academic Exam, often aspirants tend to make some errors that cost them dearly.
These common errors can be easily avoided by being a little more careful. In our experience of training PTE aspirants,
we have come across these common, repeated errors. Let's take a look at these common errors:
1. Fast is not always fluent
Some aspirants confuse speed for fluency, and they go all in, trying to speak too fast. This affects their
fluency scores. When speaking too fast, fluency and legibility suffer. So aspirants should go for a pace that is
neither too fast, nor too slow. Aim for a natural speed and try to maintain it throughout the whole duration of
your speech.
2. Use of filler sounds
When thinking of words to be spoken, aspirants often tend to make filler sounds like 'aah', 'uhm', etc. This
negatively affects the fluency score. An alternative is to prepare templates for Speaking, so that filler words
"like", "you know" and sounds etc. are not used. The more you practice with a template, the better you get at
it.
3. Overuse of the preposition "About"
This is a common mistake made by aspirants. They tend to use the word 'about' too frequently after verbs. Due
to this basic grammar mistake, they lose marks in the
PTE Academic Test.
4. Incorrect use of tense forms
When describing things, PTE aspirants often end up using the wrong form of tense. For example: using present
continuous tense in place of present simple tense. This leads to loss of marks.
5. Avoid pausing, making false starts, repetitions and hesitations
6. Do not pause for too long
It is essential to know that if you pause for 3 seconds in the PTE-A Speaking Module, then the microphone goes
off. Anything you say after that will not be recorded. Make sure that you keep this thing in mind when taking
the Speaking test.
7. Write a single sentence in PTE Summarize Written Text Questions
Many test-takers lose marks by writing multiple sentences in the PTE Summarize Written Text Question types.
Write a single sentence that ends with one full-stop. Use connectors if needed, but use only one full-stop.
However, in Summarize Spoken Text questions, aspirants can answer with multiple sentences to complete the
summary.
8. Avoid using colloquial language
Casual, informal language will just not cut it in the PTE Academic Test. Instead, the test expects you to use
formal, academic language.
9. Don't speak in breaks
Don't use the 'stopping and starting' mode of speaking. While this is acceptable in our daily conversation, it
is frowned upon in the PTE Academic Exam. Organize your thoughts, and then speak in complete sentences. Maintain
a steady, normal speed, so that you get the time to gather your thoughts even before you speak.
To avoid this, organize your thoughts and ideas before writing your responses in each
PTE
writing section. Check the word count at the bottom of the screen to see whether or not
you have reached the required word limit.
10. Writing without adhering to the word limit
In Writing tasks like Summarize Written Text and Essay, don't exceed the word limit. In Essay, stick to
writing to the tune of 200-300 words. Writing more or less than the prescribed word limit will result in you
getting a lower
PTE score.
Conclusion
To get the perfect score in PTE-A, don't commit these errors. Get lots of practice with a PTE preparation
app or online sample questions. If required, you can also take the help of certified experts with online PTE
coaching.