How much preparation is required for the PTE test? Some test-takers take only a few weeks, while others need months to achieve their goals.
The 5 factors below can help you plan out your PTE preparation more effectively.
Scroll down to discover more!
Your Study Routine
How much preparation you should spend studying for the PTE test depends on your routine. Many test-takers think that a few hours daily in the months before the test is the ideal timing, especially for those who have flexible schedules.
However, if you are busy with work or other schedules during your daytime, spending just one or two more hours might need a lot of willpower. Therefore, studying close to the test date won’t help much for busy test-takers.
We suggest you spend enough time both practicing and reviewing your progress. This will depend on your personal schedule.
How Much You Understand the PTE Format
Your familiarity with the PTE format also decides your preparation for the test. Many test-takers underestimate the effort to understand exam format and scoring methods. This will affect your self-evaluation before the test, which might lead to ineffective study plans.
Every section in the PTE test has its specific challenges. For beginners who have little knowledge of the test, learning about each task is a crucial step that requires more time to research. Unprepared test-takers often lose points in questions they could have answered correctly with the right approach.
Therefore, if you aren’t familiar with the test format, make sure to spend some time studying each section carefully to avoid losing points.
Your English Proficiency
The better your English proficiency is, the less preparation you need. Test-takers who already have good grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation can focus more on practice. On the other hand, test-takers who are weaker in English will need to study more to improve on their skills.
According to Lume, a new company in the English proficiency preparation field, the preparation time needed for different levels of English proficiency is also dissimilar. From what we’ve observed, a test-taker aiming for an average score might need just six weeks of preparation, while others whose PTE targeted score is 79+ may require months to practice.
However, don’t make the mistake of overestimating yourself. Test-takers who are confident with their English still have trouble with summarizing complex passages or listening to unfamiliar accents during the test. In contrast, people who have average English skills but are better at applying test strategies can even achieve higher scores.
Your Goal
What is your PTE goal? This is a simple question, but not many candidates can answer them straightforwardly. The preparation time you need is different depending on your goal.
Candidates who aim for passing the average entrance scores might put different effort compared to ones whose goal is over 80 PTE scores. Accordingly, those aiming for a mid-range score will need to master key strategies and practice consistently for a few weeks, while those with higher aims will need more time.
Without proper goals, it’s harder to set up your preparation plan. This is why having a targeted PTE score will be beneficial for your progress. However, aiming too high without a realistic plan can lead to burnout, so make sure to set a suitable goal that aligns with your current English level.
Insights from Experts
If you’re unsure of the time needed for your PTE preparation, get the insights from an expert. Coaches and professional tutors with their years of experience can help you calculate the suitable amount of preparation.
They might give you evaluation based on these criteria:
- Efficiency: Instead of spending hours studying blindly, they will focus on giving you clear strategies to reduce the time you need to achieve your desired score.
- Mock tests: Mock tests can mimic the real exam conditions and can also show the test-taker’s weaknesses. With these, experts can identify your performance and decide which part you should put more effort into.
- Specific strategies: Understanding the test’s format, structure, and scoring system also help with applying suitable strategies. Experts suggest mastering task-specific techniques and tips, for example using templates to form your essays in the Writing tasks.
The Bottom Line
Overall, how much preparation is required for the PTE test depends on how well test-takers prepare. We believe that a thoughtful plan can save you both time and frustration. The real challenge here is how you can plan your preparation smarter, not harder.
Check out our other posts to maximize your PTE score and achieve your dream goals!
