If you are enrolled in PTE coaching classes, you have taken a big step toward preparing for test. However, it is not just about attending classes; real progress often happens when you study on your own between sessions. By using self-study sessions to build on what you learn in class, you can significantly improve your skills and confidence.
1. Review and Organize Notes After Each Class
After every coaching session, review your notes to keep the information fresh. Go over the new concepts, tips, or techniques you learned in class. This helps reinforce the material and gives you a clear idea of which areas to focus on during your self-study time.
You can start by organizing your notes into categories, such as reading, listening, speaking, and writing. This organization will make it easier to find specific information when you need it. As you continue through the coaching, add new points and organize them carefully, so you always have an easy-to-follow study guide.
2. Set Clear Goals for Each Self-Study Session
To avoid wasting time, set a specific goal for each self-study session. Your goals can be skill-based, such as improving vocabulary or focusing on essay structure, or they can be related to a specific part of PTE test, like enhancing listening comprehension.
- Practicing reading comprehension for 30 minutes
- Improving speaking fluency through timed responses
- Reviewing and understanding grammar rules for accurate writing
3. Create a Weekly Study Plan
Having a weekly study plan is an efficient way to keep track of your self-study goals and tasks. Start by deciding how much time you can realistically dedicate each day to studying between coaching classes. You can then divide this time across the different PTE test sections, like listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
For example:
Monday: Listening practice (30 minutes)
Tuesday: Reading comprehension (45 minutes)
Wednesday: Speaking practice (30 minutes)
Thursday: Writing and grammar review (45 minutes)
Friday: Practice test (1 hour)
4. Use Reliable PTE Study Materials
When preparing for PTE, quality study materials make a big difference. Look for reputable PTE study materials that cover all aspects of the exam, including sample questions, explanations, and strategies. A good set of materials should include a mix of reading passages, audio samples, practice prompts, and essay samples. Reliable resources often come from well-known PTE prep providers, so check with your coaching center if they recommend any specific materials.
5. Focus on Your Weak Areas
Between coaching sessions, it’s important to work on the areas where you feel less confident. If you find speaking difficult, dedicate more time to practicing speaking tasks, such as describing images or answering short questions. Similarly, if reading comprehension takes you longer than expected, spend extra time improving your reading speed and understanding complex texts.
Try to incorporate your weak areas into every study session to keep making progress. It is normal to have strengths and weaknesses, and the best way to improve is by consistently challenging yourself.
6. Practice Time Management
Time management is key for performing well on PTE. In your self-study sessions, practice answering questions within the time limits of the test. For instance:
Give yourself 30 seconds to read and summarize a passage.
- Record yourself speaking for exactly 40 seconds in response to a prompt.
- Set a timer for essay writing to mimic the test’s time constraints.
- Getting used to these time limits will make you feel more comfortable and in control on the actual test day. It also allows you to pace yourself without feeling rushed or stressed.
7. Use Self-Evaluation Tools
Self-evaluation is essential to measure your progress. You can evaluate your answers by comparing them to sample answers, or by recording and listening to your speaking responses to spot areas for improvement. Many online PTE platforms offer scoring for practice exercises, which can help you see where you stand and what needs work.
If your coaching center provides feedback or assessment tools, use them to review your skills and note any patterns in your mistakes. For instance, if you’re consistently making grammar errors, you’ll know to focus more on grammar practice in your self-study time.
8. Incorporate Practice Tests
Taking a practice test once a week or every other week is a great way to track your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly. Practice tests let you apply everything you’ve learned and see how well you perform in a real test-like environment. They also highlight which sections of the test may need more focus, guiding your self-study efforts.
Practice tests help reduce anxiety by making the test format more familiar. You’ll be able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and can adjust your study sessions based on the results.
9. Reflect and Adjust Your Study Plan
Every couple of weeks, take a moment to reflect on your study sessions and evaluate how effective your plan is. Are you meeting your goals? Are there areas where you still feel less confident?
Adjust your study plan as needed, dedicating more time to areas where you are struggling and perhaps reducing time for sections you are more comfortable with. This flexibility ensures that your study plan always meets your current needs.
