1. The document outlines 10 mistakes to avoid when preparing for the PTE exam. It stresses the importance of understanding the exam structure, time limits, scoring, and sequence of questions. 2. It advises practicing with timers to stay within time limits for each activity, as PTE is strict about timing. Candidates should also stick to word counts for written responses. 3. The document emphasizes taking dictation questions seriously, as they can provide 25-30 marks, and familiarizing oneself with different accents on the audio recordings. It suggests practicing note-taking and typing essays to develop crucial skills.

1. 10 mistakes to avoid while preparing for PTE:
1. Not getting familiar with the structure and sequence and rules:
It is of utmost importance that a candidate learns the exact structure of PTE exam or any
exam for that matter before attempting it. So, make sure you know, what is the duration?
What is the time limit for each type of question? Does it have negative marking? What is
the marking system? What is the sequence of questions? And so on…
2. Not checking and correcting the common spelling mistakes made:
It is very important that you familiarize yourself with spellings of most words and
especially if you make repeated mistakes with spellings of any particular words. Spelling
mistakes in exams can cost you precious marks, so do not ignore them.
3. Not practicing with timer on and within time limit for each activity:
PTE is very particular with timings. If you have to speak on some topic you need to speak
within the time limit and well. So, make sure to practice using the timer.

2. 4. Not sticking to word count:
All the answers that candidate have to type in have word limit; whether it be essay,
summary writing, dictation and so on. Make sure you stick to the word limit otherwise
you will be penalized and PTE is very particular about it.
5. Not taking dictation seriously:
One type of questions in PTE is dictation and people tend to take them very lightly but to
your amazement let me inform you, they are your grace marks and doing well in them is
absolutely crucial as you will be getting anywhere around 25 to 30 marks from these. So,
do not waste your time and come to these quickly as the listening does not have question
wise times but timing for the section as a whole. So, finish your earlier questions soon as
you can and come o dictation.
6. Not familiarizing oneself with different accents:
Lot of the time students struggle to understand the speech of speakers on PTE audios as
the speakers’ accents are quite alien to the students. So, prepare yourself by listening to
different accents may be by listening to YouTube or something like that…
7. Not practicing note taking:
PTE requires you to take notes especially in speaking and listening section. And note
taking is a very crucial skill you need to develop so that you are able to note down
optimum amount of information from a speech so that you can answer correctly.
Therefore, practice note taking as much as possible.
8. Not practicing typing essays before attempting the actual exam:
In PTE you need to type fast and accurately. You may struggle if you do not have much
practice on the keyboard. Therefore, practice as much as possibly typing all your essays
and other answers on the computer.
9. Not understanding that in multiple choices multiple answer questions it is better to
leave the option if one is not sure of the answer:
Know that in PTE multiple choice questions with multiple answers have negative marking.
IF you do not want to simple lose marks try not o tick of answers that you are not really
sure; it is not really worth the effort. Rather save that time for dictation type of question,
especially in the listening section.

3. 10. Not improving one’s vocabulary and grammar:
Not improving ones grammar and vocabulary and grammar can really hurt the chances of
attaining high scores in PTE and for that matter any language exam. Either to understand,
or respond correctly by writing or speaking, one needs to know proper vocabulary and
grammar. So, if you think you are week in either of these areas make effort to improve it
and you should reap rich dividends.