PTE Reading: Simple Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
PTE Reading can feel overwhelming because of time pressure, unfamiliar vocabulary, and long passages. From my experience teaching PTE, most reading mistakes are not about understanding English, but about exam strategy.
These tips will help you approach PTE Reading more calmly and efficiently.
Focus on accuracy, not speed
Many students rush through reading tasks and lose marks due to careless mistakes. In PTE Reading, accuracy matters more than speed.
Read carefully, especially in tasks like Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks, where one wrong word can reduce your score.
Do not rely on vocabulary alone
Knowing difficult words does not guarantee a high reading score. Grammar awareness and sentence structure are just as important.
Often, the correct answer fits grammatically even if you are unsure about meaning.
Use context, not translation
Avoid translating sentences into your native language. This slows you down and causes confusion.
Instead, focus on:
How the sentence starts
What logically comes next
Whether the option fits the overall meaning
Manage your time wisely
Not all reading tasks carry the same weight. Spend more time on:
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
Re-order Paragraphs
Avoid spending too long on a single Multiple Choice question.
Keep sentences complete and logical
In tasks where you choose or arrange sentences, always check:
Subject–verb agreement
Logical flow between ideas
Use of connectors
If the sentence sounds incomplete, it is usually incorrect.
My advice as a PTE trainer
As a PTE trainer, I always tell students:
PTE Reading is not about reading everything — it’s about choosing correctly.
If an option fits grammatically and logically, trust it and move on.
Quick PTE Reading tips
Read the sentence before and after the blank
Eliminate options that break grammar
Avoid overthinking vocabulary
Keep an eye on the clock
Stay calm even if the passage looks difficult