Summary of "PTE Core Full Course in 2 Hours (2025) | Tips & Strategies - In-Depth Explanation & Practice Plan"
Summary of “PTE Core Full Course in 2 Hours (2025) | Tips & Strategies - In-Depth Explanation & Practice Plan”
Overview
This comprehensive video by Vun from Language Academy provides an updated, detailed full course on the PTE Core test for 2025. It covers all modules, question types, scoring criteria, strategies, and practice plans. The course aims to help candidates achieve top band scores (CLB 9 or 10) by focusing on the most important tasks and avoiding time wastage on less impactful questions.
About the Speaker
- Vun: Experienced PTE instructor with 7 years of teaching experience.
- Has taken the PTE test 13 times and scored 9+ each time.
- Creator of Language Academy, offering practice materials and mock tests aligned with the actual exam.
What is PTE Core?
- English proficiency test for Canadian work permits or permanent residency.
- Four modules: Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening.
- 19 question/task types, but only 9 are crucial for scoring.
- Test duration: approximately 2 hours, computer-based, no human examiner present.
- Results delivered within 4 hours to 5 days.
General Test Tips
- Check and adjust microphone and headphones before starting.
- Use the personal introduction (not scored) to get comfortable.
- Pen, marker, and highlighter provided at test center; use them effectively.
- Stay calm, focused, and follow the right strategies.
Detailed Module-wise Breakdown
1. Speaking Module (Backbone of the Test)
Question Types (5): - Read Aloud - Repeat Sentence - Describe Image - Respond to a Situation - Answer Short Questions
Read Aloud
- 6-7 passages, 35 seconds preparation + 35 seconds speaking.
- Scored on fluency, pronunciation, content (each 5 points).
- Fluency: smooth, moderate pace, no hesitations/self-corrections.
- Pronunciation: clear speech, no accent imitation needed.
- Content: read all words, focus on endings (s, ed), numbers, contractions.
- Practice on languageacademy.com.au with AI scoring feedback.
Repeat Sentence
- 10-12 sentences, 8-16 words each.
- Repeat exactly after hearing.
- Scored on fluency, pronunciation, content (3 points for content).
- Content scoring:
- 3/3 for 100% correct
- 2/3 for >50% correct
- 1/3 for >25% correct
- Strategy: Repeat as much as possible confidently; don’t stop if unsure.
- Note-taking or initials can help but time is limited.
Describe Image
- 3-4 images, 25 seconds preparation + 40 seconds response.
- Scored on fluency, pronunciation, content (keywords-based).
- No human evaluation; accuracy of content not important.
- Include 6-7 keywords from image in answer.
- Template provided to structure answer; customize as needed.
Respond to a Situation
- 2-4 situations, audio + transcript, 20 seconds preparation + 40 seconds response.
- Scored on fluency, pronunciation, appropriacy (content).
- No fixed answers; include 6-7 keywords from situation.
- Use simple sentences; grammar/vocabulary complexity not critical.
- Template provided; repeating keywords is acceptable.
Answer Short Questions
- 5-6 knowledge-based questions, 1-3 word answers.
- Scored on correctness (1 point each).
- If unsure, repeat keywords or options instead of silence.
- Minimal practice needed; focus on predictions.
2. Writing Module
Two question types: - Summarize Written Text - Write an Email
Summarize Written Text
- Passage up to 200 words; write summary in 25-50 words within 10 minutes.
- Scored on content (keywords), form (word count), grammar/spelling, vocabulary.
- Include 6-8 keywords from passage.
- Use 2-3 sentences; connect with commas and conjunctions (e.g., furthermore).
- No need to paraphrase extensively; can copy exact phrases.
- Strategy: Spend 1-2 minutes selecting sentences, 5 minutes writing, 3 minutes proofreading.
Write an Email
- 2-3 emails, 50-120 words within 9 minutes each.
- Address all 3 bullet points in the prompt.
- Scored on content (addressing points), email conventions (greetings, closing), form (word count), organization (paragraphs, connectors), vocabulary (formal), grammar, spelling.
- Use formal words; avoid slang and contractions.
- Template provided for structure (opening, addressing points, closing).
- Practice with various topics on Language Academy.
3. Reading Module
- Around 13-18 questions, 27-38 minutes.
- Five question types:
- Reading & Writing Blanks (drop-down)
- MCQ Multiple Answers
- Reorder Paragraphs
- Drag & Drop Blanks
- MCQ Single Answer
Reading & Writing Blanks
- Passage with 4-5 blanks; choose from 4 options each.
- Focus on context and grammar to eliminate wrong answers.
- Grammar rules explained in detail (nouns, adjectives, verbs, articles, active/passive voice).
- Spend max 2 minutes per passage.
- Practice 20 per day on Language Academy with explanations.
MCQ Multiple Answers
- Select multiple correct options; negative marking applies.
- Not very important; spend max 1 minute per question.
- Practice only a few days before test.
Reorder Paragraphs
- 4-6 jumbled sentences; arrange in logical order.
- Marked by number of correct pairs.
- Strategy: Identify independent sentence (introductory), use articles and acronyms as clues, find pairs.
- Practice 10 per day.
Drag & Drop Blanks
- Passage with blanks and more options than blanks.
- Similar strategy as Reading & Writing blanks.
- Practice 20 per day.
MCQ Single Answer
- One correct answer; no negative marking.
- Not important; spend max 1 minute.
- Practice a few days before test.
4. Listening Module
- 7 question types, plus 2 speaking tasks contributing to listening scores.
- Important:
- Summarize Spoken Text
- Listening Fill in the Blanks
- Highlight Incorrect Words
- Write from Dictation
- Less important:
- MCQ Multiple
- MCQ Single
- Select Missing Words
Summarize Spoken Text
- Audio 40-90 seconds; write summary in 20-30 words within 8 minutes.
- Scored on content (6-8 keywords), form, grammar, spelling, vocabulary.
- Take notes focusing on nouns, topics, names.
- Template provided for writing summary.
MCQ Multiple Answers (Listening)
- Negative marking; not important.
- Read question before audio; spend max 10 seconds after audio.
Listening Fill in the Blanks
- Transcript with missing words; audio plays.
- Type missing words as heard; 2-3 tasks per test.
- 1 point per correct word; no negative marking.
- Practice 5-10 daily at 1.2x speed.
MCQ Single Answer (Listening)
- One correct option; no negative marking.
- Not important; spend max 10 seconds after audio.
Select Missing Words
- Audio missing last words; choose correct ending.
- Not important; practice a few days before test.
Highlight Incorrect Words
- Audio and transcript differ; select incorrect words in transcript.
- Negative marking applies; minimum zero.
- Practice 5-10 daily; focus on nouns, adjectives, verbs.
Write from Dictation
- Audio sentence 8-16 words; type exactly as heard.
- 3-4 sentences per test.
- 1 point per correct word; no negative marking.
- Add extra words if unsure (trick to avoid missing points).
- Practice 25-30 daily.
Scoring and Focus Areas
- Total score out of 90; minimum 10 points awarded even if test unattempted.
- Speaking:
- 32 points for Repeat Sentence
- 20 points for Read Aloud
- 14 points for Describe Image, etc.
- Writing: ~20 points from Summarize Written Text and Emails.
- Reading & Listening combined: ~60 points.
- Focus on high-value tasks:
- Speaking: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence
- Writing: Email, Summarize Written Text
- Reading: Reading & Writing Blanks, Drag and Drop Blanks, Reorder Paragraphs
- Listening: Summarize Spoken Text, Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Incorrect Words, Write from Dictation
Recommended Practice Plan
- Daily practice:
- 15 Read Aloud
- 30 Repeat Sentences
- 1-2 Emails
- 20 Reading & Writing Blanks
- 20 Reading Blanks
- 5-10 Reorder Paragraphs
- 2 Summarize Spoken Text
- 10 Listening Fill in the Blanks
- 5 Highlight Incorrect Words
- 30 Write from Dictation
- Take 3-4 full scored mock tests (sectional and extensive) on Language Academy.
- Review scorecards and tutor feedback carefully.
- Practice on computer (not mobile) to simulate test environment.
Additional Tips
- Use simple sentences; clarity and fluency over fancy vocabulary.
- Do not mix British and American English spellings within the same task.
- Capitalize proper nouns, names, places, events properly.
- Manage time strictly; no rollover of unused time between tasks.
- Microphone use: keep it 4 fingers away, do not touch frequently.
- Use Language Academy website and upcoming mobile app for practice.
Speakers/Sources
- Vun – Main and only speaker throughout the video, founder of Language Academy.
This video is a one-stop, updated guide for PTE Core 2025 preparation, emphasizing efficient study strategies, templates, and focused practice on high-impact tasks to maximize scores and avoid common pitfalls.
Category
Educational
