Mastering English proficiency is the first step to climbing the ladder and reaching your career goal. Imagine working in the UK, where your English proficiency is helping you to explore new career opportunities and build better connections.
However, working in English-speaking countries requires passing a PTE Exam in Dubai, an English proficiency test that evaluates your English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
Preparing for these exams requires thorough preparation, even when you are a fluent speaker. These tests have specific criteria you must match to fulfil your desire to study or work in English-speaking foreign countries. In this guide, we will explain new and relevant section-wise tips for excelling in the PTE exam and making your dream come true.
Understand the PTE Exam Structure Thoroughly
Before we begin with the practical tips to cut through the competition, let us understand each section of the PTE Exam and learn about all the skill-specific questions.
1. Speaking:
The exam usually begins with the Speaking and Writing sections. However, you must read the instructions before answering the questions, as the PTE exam in Dubai can be different from Abu Dhabi in terms of section order.
Personal Introduction:
In this section, you will introduce yourself within 25 seconds to feel comfortable with the exam conditions.
Read Aloud:
You will read aloud a written text to show your pronunciation and oral fluency.
Repeat Sentence:
Candidates listen to a sentence and repeat it as accurately as possible.
Describe Image:
Test-takers are shown an image (graph, chart, diagram, or picture) and are given 25 seconds to describe it in detail. This task assesses speaking skills, including content, oral fluency, and pronunciation.
Re-Tell Lecture:
Candidates listen to an academic lecture or a part of it and then retell the main points in their own words. This task measures listening and speaking abilities and the ability to summarise information effectively.
Writing:
Answer Short Questions:
Test-takers listen to a question or a prompt and respond with a brief answer.
Write Essay:
Essay writing is a short 200-300 word writing where you express your opinion or argument on a provided topic. This task assesses your ability to think and organise your thoughts logically and present information, considering grammar, vocabulary, and clarity.
Preparation Tips:
If you are appearing for the PTE Exam in Abu Dhabi, here are some Speaking and Writing tips to help you perform best in this section.
- Converse with friends, family, and language experts in the English language daily. Even if you speak broken English during the initial months, keep all your communication in English to make the language a habit in your daily routine.
- Record yourself speaking English. Install English learning apps. You can also speak about any topic while recording yourself in 10 minutes.
- Once you are done speaking, hit the pause button and analyse how you speak, your vocabulary and pace of speaking. If you find there is a place for improvement, continue practising it till you are in a better position.
- Read English novels, journals, and self-help books to learn new words and sentences. Practise learning them daily while ensuring their correct pronunciation.
- Write regularly and review your write-ups for clarity and effectiveness.
- Understand and apply grammar rules to enhance writing structure and quality.
- Use new words or phrases that you learn in your writing to express yourself more creatively.
2. Reading:
After the speaking and writing section, the reading section judges your capability to understand your English skills in terms of vocabulary, tone, and overall text.
Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer:
You will read an English text to select the correct answer from the options.
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers:
Test-takers read a text and select all the correct answers from multiple options.
Re-Order Paragraphs:
In this task, you will be evaluated on logical reasoning skills, where you will rearrange jumbled paragraphs to complete the whole paragraph.
Fill in the Blanks:
Test-takers read passages with several gaps and choose the appropriate words to fill in the blanks.
Preparation Tips:
Here are some strategies to prepare for the reading section before appearing for the PTE exam in Abu Dhabi.
- Engage yourself in active reading habits.
- Read consistently and slowly to understand the written text.
- Familiarise yourself with new words or ideas that will also help you improve your writing and speaking skills.
- Read different writing styles, essays, news, academic, casual, and fun to bring change and adapt to new topics.
2. Listening:
After the reading section, the last section covers your understanding of listening skills.
Summarise Spoken Text:
Candidates listen to a short audio recording and summarise it in writing within 50-70 words. This section evaluates listening and writing skills, focusing on extracting key information and conveying it concisely.
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers:
Test-takers listen to an audio clip and select all the correct answers from multiple options. This task in your PTE exam in Abu Dhabi assesses your ability to identify specific details.
Fill in the Blanks (Listening & Writing):
An audio recording test with gaps and type the missing words into the blanks.
Highlight Correct Summary:
Test-takers listen to an audio recording and select the summary that best captures the main points.
Select Missing Word:
Candidates listen to a recording with a gap and choose the word that best fits the context from a list of options.
Highlight Incorrect Words:
Test-takers listen to an audio recording while reading a transcript and identify the words in the transcript that differ from what they hear.
Preparation Tips:
- Focus on listening to the main ideas and supporting details while listening to audio recordings.
- Develop a note-taking habit to capture details while listening.
- Understand various English accents in podcasts, movies, and documentaries to grasp their tone and way of speaking.
- Pay attention to words and ideas while listening to them during any conversation.
Final Words
In conclusion, adopting a strategic approach is the first step for success in the PTE exam in Dubai. The importance of understanding the structure of the test, familiarising yourself with task requirements, and implementing effective study techniques is clear.
It’s crucial to approach the exam with confidence and diligence. Believe in your abilities and trust in your preparation efforts. Consistent practice and a positive mindset can significantly enhance your performance on test day. Choose EnglishWise AE in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for effective PTE preparation materials to best use the above tips.