How to Manage Time In a PTE Test? Expert Tips Revealed

Many test-takers struggle with finishing PTE tasks on time. Worse, losing track of the first few tasks will drag you to catch up with the rest.

That’s why in this blog, PTE Magic will share tips on how to manage time in PTE tasks. 

Stay tuned to note the important information! 

Key Takeaways

• Understanding how long the PTE sections last and the order of the questions is key.
• Not all PTE tasks are created equal, so prioritise the ones that boost your score the most.
• See the detailed time management tips for each PTE section below.

Related:

• PTE Magic online coaching courses & classes
• How to actually prepare for your next PTE exam
• Why PTE is becoming more popular?

Top 3 Best Time Management Tips For The PTE Exam

1. Get Familiar with the Exam Format and Timing

Understanding how long the PTE Listening section lasts and the order of the questions is key. It helps you manage your time and stay calm when facing the next question. 

But how can you do this? Practice tests are the only real answer. They give you insightful experience, which is far more effective than just reading about the format. 

Remember, the score you get on a practice test isn’t a prediction of what you’ll score on the actual PTE exam. It’s just a way to prepare yourself.

2. Watch Out for Time-Draining Questions

Some PTE tasks can take more time than others, and it’s crucial to spot them early. During your practices, use a timer and track how long you spend on each task. You’ll quickly notice which tasks are slowing you down, for example, Reordering Paragraphs or Writing Essays.

When you’ve finished, compare your timing with the allocated minutes for each section. If you’re overspending, that’s your sign to change your pace and figure out how to get extra seconds.

3. Focus on High-Scoring Tasks

Not all PTE tasks are created equal, so prioritise the ones that boost your score the most. This helps you decide where your time and energy should go.

For example, the Fill In The Blanks task is more valuable than the Multiple-Choice Questions. Why? Because it gives you a better chance of earning full scores. Even if you get half of the blanks right, you’re still earning points right away, whereas multiple-choice answers often don’t offer that same advantage.

How To Manage Time In Key PTE Tasks?

Speaking

You have 77 to 93 minutes to handle both the PTE Speaking and Writing sections. Writing alone can take up to 50 to 60 minutes while speaking ranges between 27 and 43 minutes. So, how much time you get depends on the number of tasks in each test.

For this section, you don’t need to stress about timing because each task is individually timed. Your job is to follow the instructions and pay attention to the clock. Make sure to start speaking within 3 seconds, or the task will move on without you.

Below is the detailed time management tips for the PTE Speaking tasks:

• Answer Short Question: You’ve got 10 seconds to respond. It usually only takes a one- or two-word answer. Just focus on understanding the question and replying before time’s up.
• Repeat Sentence: For sentences up to 10 words, most test-takers have no problem. But as soon as you hit 12 to 15 words, especially if those words are longer or have multiple syllables, it gets harder to repeat them perfectly. You’ve still got 10 seconds to respond, so if you can’t recall the entire sentence, don’t panic. Maintain a steady pace and repeat whatever you remember. Saying something is always better than staying silent, as not responding will lower your score.
• Describe Image and Retell Lecture: The key is fluency and timing. You have 40 seconds to deliver your answer and need to aim for a smooth, natural flow if you want to score high. Once you’ve memorised this approach, reaching top scores becomes much more achievable.
• Retell Lecture: Remember you can only note 5 or 6 keywords as the recording plays, and then you’ve got to start speaking within 10 seconds. This makes memorising the method and using it effectively essential if you’re aiming for a top score.
• Read Aloud: This task gives you 40 seconds to read and be recorded. Again, aim for clarity and consistency. In the 40 seconds before you start speaking, skim through the paragraph silently, focusing on any difficult words and saying them out loud. Then, get ready for the recording to begin.

Writing

Each task in the PTE Writing is timed separately, so there’s no need to stress about managing it yourself. Just follow the instructions, keep an eye on the clock, and you’ll be fine. 

Once you’ve finished any extra minutes you save, don’t go over to the next task. In other words, if you finish two minutes early, those two minutes won’t give you more time on the next part.

• Summarize Written Text: You have ten minutes to read a roughly 300-word passage. Start by skimming through the text, and then note key points such as topic sentences and supporting ideas. Ideally, spend the first 5 minutes gathering 3-4 main ideas, leaving the remaining 5 minutes to write a single sentence, 30-40 words long. 
• Write Essay: You’ve got just 20 minutes, so you’ll need to rely on a memorised structure. PTE Magic suggests spending 5 to 7 minutes on the introduction because it’s the most important part of organising your essay. Then, write two body paragraphs, each around four sentences in 4 minutes. Wrap it up with a brief conclusion in under 3 minutes. Use the last 2 or 3 minutes to review your work – check spelling, grammar, sentence flow, and punctuation.

Reading

In both the Reading and Listening sections, you can save valuable time by moving straight to the next task as soon as you finish one – no need to wait for the time to run down. This small action makes a difference.

The Reading Section is 32-40 minutes long. We’ve observed hundreds of students and worked out recommended time strategies for the PTE Reading Multiple Choice Multiple Answer section below: 

• Multiple Choice Multiple Answer: One common trap is spending too much time on Multiple Choice Multiple Answer questions. Many test-takers are trying to find a second or third correct option. If you’re stuck, just pick the answer you’re most confident in., while the Listening Section runs for 45-57 minutes.

Listening

The PTE Listening section runs for 45-57 minutes. Here’s what you need to know about the key tasks:

• Summarize Spoken Text: This first task in the PTE Listening section gives you a dedicated ten minutes, separate from the other tasks. Once this task is done, you’re in charge of your own time for the remaining six tasks, and speed matters.
• Write from Dictation: Save precious seconds. When you’re listening to the audio, that’s your chance. You’ll either get the answer during the audio or immediately afterward. Take notes, trust your memory, and make your move.
• Select Missing Word: You’ll hear about 30 seconds of audio, and your job is to fill in the blanks from a handful of options. If you didn’t catch it, don’t dwell. Many test-takers missed the timing because they were trying to figure out the answers.
• Multiple Choice and Highlight Correct Summary: It’s the same with the Multiple Choice and Highlight Correct Summary tasks. Use your notes, make a quick decision, and move on. Spending more than 30 seconds after the audio ends is just a waste of time that you could use elsewhere. If you’re unsure, make a guess and keep going.

Conclusion

Knowing how to manage time in PTE tasks is key if you want to hit your target score. Once you’ve nailed the techniques above, the next step is practicing under timed conditions. Our PTE Magic mock tests and question bank can help you achieve your dream goals. 

If you’re looking for more structured support, why not sign up for a PTE Magic course? It will just be the boost you need!

Last updated on 29/10/2024