Small tips

1. It's worth to do a PTE scored practice test (https://ptepractice.com/) before taking the PTE.

2. It is the policy of the test center to allow test takers to start their tests once they are assigned to their workstation or every test taker will start at the same time. Please have a look at the seating plan of the testing room below (everyone is facing the wall) and imagine you are sitting at no. 8. When you are doing the speaking session, you will hear noise from both your left and right hand side and it's really annoying. So, the 1st tip is to sit at no. 1-4 or 12-15. Although you cannot select your seat, you can do it by arranging your check in time. Be the first or the last to check in is the little trick here.

3. You are not allowed to bring ANYTHING inside the testing room, not even a windbreaker! (Staff there said because windbreakers will produce noise.) If you do want to keep yourself warm (though the testing room is not cold), please bring a sweater instead.

4. There is an optional break of 10 mins after you have completed speaking, writing and reading. Do take into account the time required for checking out and in of the testing room (it could take up to 2 to 3 mins).

5. You can ask for a pair of earplug so that you can be concentrated on your test when you are doing writing and reading.

6. Be ware of your mic position when you are doing speaking. Please find the correct position below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKtcXC2PipM

7. Questions in speaking session will be switched to next question automatically if you did not speak for 3 seconds. DO NOT sit there and keep quiet for 3 seconds!

8. Although it will switch to next question automatically, it is better to click "next" after you have finished your question as someone near you may speak very loudly and their answer might be recorded (very little chance).

9. Time management is very important!

9.1 .For Speaking session, you must finish your answer within the time limit (e.g. Describe Image and Retell Lecture within 40 seconds).

9.2. There are 15-20 questions in Reading session and 32-41 minutes will be provided, that means you need to complete 1 question within 2 mins.

9.3. There are 15-22 questions (other than Summarize spoken text, which is timed separately) in Listening session and 23-28 minutes will be provided, that means you need to complete 1 question within 1.5 mins.

10. Once test result is available, you will receive a email to tell you where to check the result.

11. The marking system of PTE is a matter of summation, but not subtraction. I will use myself as an example. I got full marks in a few sections. The question is, did I answer all the questions correctly? The answer is NO. I must have some questions answered incorrectly. It can be concluded that I had somehow answered a reasonably number of questions correctly and leaded to full mark. Therefore, don't be mad if you had no idea about the questions, do be confident and try your best to answer all the questions. You might be surprised when you get your score report!