PTE READING TIPS: MASTERING THE READING SECTION
The PTE Academic Reading section assesses your ability to understand and interpret academic texts. It includes a variety of question types that test skills like comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Here are some expert tips and strategies to help you succeed in this section.
1. Understand the Structure of the Reading Section
The reading section consists of five main question types:
1. Multiple-choice, choose single answer
2. Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers
3. Re-order paragraphs
4. Reading: Fill in the blanks
5. Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks
Time management is crucial as you will be given 32–41 minutes to complete all tasks.
PTE READING TIPS
2. Master Time Management
– Do not spend too much time on one question. Allocate roughly:
> 2 minutes for multiple-choice (single or multiple answers)
> 2-3 minutes for re-order paragraphs
> 1.5-2 minutes per fill-in-the-blank question
– Use the on-screen timer to stay on track.
PTE READING TIPS
3. Skim and Scan Effectively
– Skimming: Read quickly to get the main idea of the passage. Focus on the first and last sentences of each paragraph.
– Scanning: Look for specific keywords or phrases that relate to the question.
This helps especially in Multiple-choice and Fill in the Blanks.
4. Be Strategic with Multiple-choice Questions
– For single answer questions:
> Read the question first, then scan the passage for relevant information.
> Eliminate incorrect options logically.
– For multiple answer questions:
> Be cautious – no partial credit is given. Only select options you’re sure of.
> Don’t guess wildly. Wrong choices will negatively affect your score.
PTE READING TIPS
5. Tips for Re-order Paragraphs
– Find the topic sentence – this usually stands alone and introduces the main idea.
– Look for logical links – time markers (e.g., “Then”, “After that”), pronouns (e.g., “this”, “they”), and connectors (e.g., “however”, “therefore”) often show the relationship between sentences.
– Use drag and drop to rearrange the text and read it again to check the flow.
6. Fill in the Blanks Strategies
– Reading: Fill in the blanks
> Focus on grammar and vocabulary. Does the word grammatically fit in the sentence?
> Read before and after the blank to understand the context.
> Watch for collocations (words that go together naturally, like “make a decision”).
– Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks
> This task also evaluates your writing skills.
> Understand the part of speech needed (noun, verb, adjective).
> Avoid guessing. Eliminate clearly wrong options.
PTE READING TIPS
7. Build Vocabulary and Collocations
– The PTE often tests your understanding of academic vocabulary and collocations.
– Practice using resources like the Academic Word List (AWL) or PTE collocation lists.
– Learn how words are used in context, not just meanings.
8. Practice with Real PTE Questions
– Use official PTE practice tools or trusted third-party mock tests.
– Review your mistakes to understand patterns and gaps.
– Read academic articles or editorials daily to improve reading speed and comprehension.
9. Stay Calm and Focused
– Stay alert throughout the test – the reading section comes after the speaking and writing modules, so fatigue is common.
– If you find a question difficult, move on and return later if time allows.
PTE READING TIPS
10. Review Your Answers
– If time permits, review especially Multiple-answer and Re-order paragraph questions.
– Double-check for logic and flow in paragraph ordering and contextual relevance in blanks.
Success in PTE Reading comes down to strategy + consistent practice. Don’t just read for the sake of answering – aim to understand the structure and logic behind every sentence.
Thank you for reading this post. Wish you all the best for your preparation!
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PTE READING TIPS
PTE READING TIPS