How to Score 79+ in PTE Exam | Proven Tips & Strategies 2025

 

How to Score 79+ in the PTE Exam: Proven Strategies from Top Scorers

Scoring 79+ in the PTE Academic exam is a dream for many test takers aiming for higher education or immigration goals. While the test may seem straightforward on the surface, the difference between a score of 65 and 79+ often lies in strategy, practice consistency, and awareness of subtle scoring nuances.

In this guide, we’ll explore proven strategies used by top scorers across all PTE modules — Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening — and how you can adopt these into your own preparation plan.

1. Understand What the PTE Truly Tests

Many candidates make the mistake of preparing for PTE like a traditional English exam. But PTE isn’t just about language knowledge — it’s about language performance under timed conditions.

The exam measures not only your grammar and vocabulary but also your fluency, coherence, pronunciation, response structure, and comprehension ability.

This means:

• You must train your mind to process English audio and text quickly.
• You must practice giving clear, structured responses under pressure.
• You must be familiar with the scoring algorithm, which is highly automated and objective.

A smart way to begin is by studying real test samples and explanations, so you can understand how each question type contributes to your overall score.

If you want to practice with authentic Reading test sets, this PTE Academic Reading Practice Book available on Amazon Australia provides well-structured reading tests and answers that reflect the real exam pattern.

2. Build a Module-Wise Strategy (Don’t Prepare Randomly)

One of the most effective habits of top PTE scorers is structured preparation. Each module demands different skills — and mastering one can actually improve your performance in another.

Let’s break this down briefly:

A. Speaking

Focus on fluency and pronunciation, not accent.
The microphone captures your clarity, pace, and pauses more than your style of speaking.

• Practice “Read Aloud” with clear rhythm and pacing.
• For “Describe Image,” use a fixed structure: Introduction → Key Details → Conclusion.
• In “Retell Lecture,” note down 3–4 keywords and rephrase them confidently.

B. Writing

Your essays and summaries should reflect logical flow, not fancy words.
Avoid long, complex sentences that reduce clarity.

For in-depth techniques, check out this detailed post:
👉 PTE Writing Essay Guide 2025: Tips for Higher Scores.

It breaks down scoring criteria and offers sample essay patterns that work even for non-native speakers.

C. Reading

The Reading section is where most test takers lose marks — often because of time mismanagement.
To overcome this, learn to identify the main idea of each paragraph and eliminate distractors quickly in multiple-choice questions.

You can also go through this post to master complex question types:
👉 PTE Reading: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Tips.

And if you struggle with paragraph sequencing, this guide can help you build accuracy:
👉 PTE Re-order Paragraphs: Tips and Tricks.

Together, these resources can significantly improve your Reading scores.

For full-length practice sets covering all modules — including Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening — this comprehensive PTE Academic All Modules Book on Amazon UK provides real exam-like materials and strategies for each test type.

D. Listening

Listening is as much about note-taking as it is about focus.
The key is to actively predict information while listening, rather than passively waiting for answers.

Train yourself by listening to English podcasts or TED Talks daily, and summarize what you hear in one or two sentences — this will help you perform better in “Summarize Spoken Text” and “Write from Dictation.”

3. Use Realistic Practice, Not Just Online Samples

While online question banks and free platforms can help you get started, real exam-like mock tests are what make a difference when aiming for a 79+ score.

PTE tests are algorithm-driven, meaning that timing, sequencing, and pressure play a huge role. You must replicate those conditions.

When using a book or mock test resource, make sure it:

• Includes official-style question types.
• Provides answer explanations so you can identify weak areas.
• Tracks your module-wise consistency.

The PTE Academic Reading Practice Book offers detailed solutions and explanations that train your eye for question traps — perfect for those aiming to master reading comprehension and accuracy.

4. Develop Active English Skills Beyond the Test

Top scorers don’t just study for PTE — they build English into their daily life.
This natural exposure enhances fluency, listening accuracy, and vocabulary recall.

Try these simple but effective habits:

• Watch one English video daily (news or documentaries) and summarize it aloud.
• Use English voice notes to record yourself explaining something; listen to it to improve pronunciation.
• Read editorials or opinion columns for vocabulary and sentence structure awareness.
• Learn 5–10 new words daily and use them in writing or speaking tasks.

By developing a real connection with the language, your test responses sound more authentic and confident — exactly what the AI scoring system rewards.

5. Avoid These Common PTE Mistakes

Even well-prepared candidates often lose marks due to avoidable errors. Here are a few to stay alert about:

• Rushing through sections without understanding task requirements.
• Over-practicing templates and sounding robotic during speaking.
• Not managing time efficiently in Reading and Listening modules.
• Ignoring grammar and punctuation in written tasks.
• Skipping review sessions, leading to repetition of mistakes.

Consistency and reflection are key — after every practice test, analyze what went wrong, not just your score.

6. Create a Realistic Study Plan

Here’s a sample plan that many successful candidates have used:

Time Frame Focus Area Goals Week 1–2 Understand PTE format, identify weak areas Familiarize with scoring and modules Week 3–5 Practice Writing & Speaking Build templates, fluency, structure Week 6–7 Focus on Reading & Listening Improve comprehension & note-taking Week 8–9 Take full-length mock tests Improve timing, reduce nervousness Week 10 Revise mistakes & vocabulary Final performance polish

You can follow this plan using authentic materials like the PTE Academic All Modules Book, which provides structured practice and exam strategies for each question type.

7. Stay Calm and Consistent

Finally, remember that high scores come from calm confidence, not cramming.
Take short breaks, stay hydrated, and keep your focus on improvement rather than perfection.

Celebrate small progress — even a one-point increase in mock tests means your approach is working.
And if you ever feel stuck, go back to basics: analyze one module at a time, revisit your notes, and keep practicing consistently.

Final Thoughts

Achieving a 79+ in the PTE Academic is absolutely possible for anyone — provided you prepare strategically, not randomly.
With the right resources, consistent practice, and awareness of scoring patterns, you can easily transform your preparation into success.

For structured guidance and realistic mock practice, you can explore:

• 📘 PTE Academic Reading Practice Book — focused on Reading strategies and full-length practice sets.
• 📗 PTE Academic All Modules Book — covering all test types with scoring insights and exam-ready strategies.

Use these along with your daily practice and the interlinked blogs below to continue improving:

• PTE Writing Essay Guide 2025
• PTE Reading: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
• PTE Re-order Paragraphs Tips

With the right mindset and preparation plan, your 79+ PTE score is not just a goal — it’s your next milestone.