PTE Academic: Tips for Indian Students to Ace the Test

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic has become a preferred English language proficiency exam for many Indian students planning to study, work, or migrate abroad. Accepted by universities, colleges, and governments in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada, PTE Academic offers a fast, fair, and flexible way to prove English proficiency.

But unlike traditional English exams, PTE Academic is entirely computer-based, with AI scoring and a mix of integrated question types. For Indian students, especially those coming from non-English-medium backgrounds, excelling in PTE requires a targeted strategy.

In this blog, we’ll share practical PTE Academic tips tailored for Indian students, highlight key challenges faced, and suggest how to best prepare for the exam using smart resources like Gurully.com.

1. Understand the Test Format Thoroughly

Before diving into practice, make sure you’re clear about the PTE exam structure. It has four sections:

• Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes)

• Reading (29–30 minutes)

• Listening (30–43 minutes)

There are 20 different question types in total. Some tasks are integrated – for example, a single task might test both listening and writing. Indian students often neglect this aspect and focus only on grammar or vocabulary. But success in PTE requires mastering time management, multi-tasking, and computer-based skills.

2. Focus Areas for Indian Students

Here are some specific areas Indian test-takers should focus more on:

a. Speaking Fluency and Pronunciation

Many Indian students struggle with:

• Speaking too fast or too slow

• Strong mother tongue influence (MTI)

• Mispronunciation of common sounds

The PTE AI scoring system doesn’t evaluate you like a human examiner; it scores based on clarity, rhythm, intonation, and fluency. Avoid memorized templates. Instead, practice speaking naturally with correct stress and intonation.

Tip: Use “Read Aloud” and “Repeat Sentence” exercises to train your accent and fluency. Record yourself and analyze.

b. Time Management in Writing

Writing tasks like Summarize Written Text and Essay Writing are time-bound. Indian students often overthink or overwrite, especially in essays.

Tip: Practice structuring your essay clearly: Introduction → Body Paragraphs → Conclusion, using formal vocabulary, and stick to the word count.

Also, typing speed can be a challenge. Since it’s a computer-based test, ensure your typing speed is at least 30-35 words per minute without many typos.

c. Complex Reading Passages

Indian students often rely on rote learning rather than comprehension. But the PTE Reading section demands fast understanding of academic texts, summaries, re-ordering paragraphs, and identifying correct answers from subtle clues.

Tip: Read newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express editorials daily. Build your reading stamina and vocabulary.

Use strategies like skimming, scanning, and identifying keywords.

d. Listening and Writing Integration

In Summarize Spoken Text or Write from Dictation, you need to listen actively and reproduce the correct structure.

Many students face issues due to unfamiliar accents or distractions. Also, writing what you hear while listening can be tricky.

Tip: Practice with headphones. Improve note-taking skills and focus on plurals, articles, verb forms, and sentence structure.

Use English-language podcasts, TED Talks, and news reports for exposure to native accents.

3. Avoid These Common Mistakes

Here are some PTE-specific mistakes Indian students should avoid:

• Using memorized responses (AI can detect this easily)

• Speaking too softly or unclearly into the microphone

• Ignoring spelling, grammar, or punctuation in writing tasks

• Not reviewing answers in multiple-choice or reorder paragraph questions

• Failing to complete tasks on time due to poor time management

4. Build a Smart Preparation Strategy

Indian students often rely heavily on coaching centers without building a personalized self-study plan. While guidance is good, your success in PTE depends on consistent practice and smart feedback.

Here's how you should prepare:

• Set a daily practice schedule (at least 2–3 hours a day)

• Take mock tests regularly to simulate real test conditions

• Focus more on your weak areas

• Use feedback and analytics to improve

5. Take Full-Length Mock Tests Before the Exam

One of the most effective ways to get PTE-ready is to take a free PTE mock test that simulate the real exam interface, timing, and scoring.

These tests help in:

• Reducing exam-day anxiety

• Improving time management

• Getting used to the computer-based pattern

• Understanding your current score level

6. Why Choose Gurully.com for PTE Preparation

To prepare effectively for PTE, it’s important to practice on reliable and updated platforms that provide real exam-like experience.

Here’s how Gurully helps Indian students:

✅ Free and premium PTE mock tests with instant scoring 

✅ Section-wise practice for Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening 

✅ Access to AI-evaluated speaking and writing feedback 

✅ Scorecard and analytics to track your progress 

✅ Interface that mimics the real PTE Academic test

Gurully also offers topic-specific practice like Describe Image, Read Aloud, Write Essay, and Write from Dictation. So whether you’re weak in Speaking or want to improve your Listening score, Gurully lets you focus on the right areas.

Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic exam opens doors to global education and work opportunities. But for Indian students to truly shine, the preparation must go beyond grammar rules and templates. Focus on fluency, comprehension, time management, and regular practice with high-quality tools.

Let your practice be smart, structured, and feedback-driven.

Start your PTE journey today with real-time practice and mock tests at Gurully.com – your one-stop platform to achieve a 79+ score..

Also Read:

• How to Improve Your Typing Accuracy for PTE

• How to Practice PTE at Home?