PTE Reading comes in Part 2 of the PTE Academic Test, following Speaking & Writing (Part 1). This section takes about 32-40 minutes to complete, during which the test-taker will have to answer 15-20 questions. The questions will range from five different formats that are listed below.

Good performance in Reading is a prerequisite for an excellent overall PTE score. In this blog, we will talk about the format of the Reading Module, and also provide tips for every question type.

So let’s begin.

The following are the different question types:

  • Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks
  • Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers
  • Re-order paragraphs
  • Reading: Fill in the blanks
  • Multiple-choice, choose single answer

As you will see below in this blog, the different response formats will test how well you can read, write and listen in English. The scoring in the PTE Academic being integrated, one of the above question types also assesses a candidate’s writing skills.

Let’s explore the above question types of PTE Reading and also the tips needed to master them one by one.

Different Questions Types In PTE Reading

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

In this task, you will encounter a text prompt of up to 300 words. The text will have many gaps or blanks, and you have to fill those gaps with the correct words taken from a drop-down list.

Once you click on a blank, a drop-down list appears with a choice of words. You have to select the ones that will be the most appropriate.

As far as scoring is concerned, you will be rewarded the maximum points if all gaps are filled correctly. If not, you’ll receive partial credits.

Tips:

  1. Understand what the prompt is all about by skim-reading it.
  2. When considering options from the drop-down list, don’t forget to check grammar and the general meaning of the sentence.
  3. Look for the overall context to select the apt word.

Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers

In this task, you will encounter a text prompt of 300 words, based on which you have to answer a multiple-choice question. Your reading skills will be assessed in this task.

Your job is to select all the options you think are correct from the given list of choices. Your selections will be highlighted in yellow.

For every correct option, you will be awarded 1 point, and for every incorrect option, 1 point is deducted.

Tips:

  1. Don’t select all the given options, as you will lose score points for incorrect responses.
  2. Identify repeated words in the options and then scan the text prompt. Read the text around those repeated words to answer quickly

Re-order Paragraphs

You will be given a text prompt of up to 150 words in the form of text boxes that are in a haphazard order. Your goal will be to put back the boxes in the proper order.

How will your performance be scored in this task?

If you can place all the boxes in the right order, you will receive the most score points.

If you can place a text box in the incorrect order, partial scoring will apply.

Tips:

  1. Identify the topic sentence (a clear, independent, standalone statement, to which all the other sentences are linked) Topic sentences usually do not begin with a pronoun. Such sentences typically don’t start with a linker or refer to statements or data mentioned previously.
  2. Once you can identify the topic sentence, you will be able to find the following sentences and text boxes by following the logical cohesion of the text.

Reading: Fill in the blanks

You will be given a text prompt of up to 80 words with several blanks in it. The goal of the task is to drag words from a box provided below and fill the blanks.

Please note that there are more words than gaps, so you don’t need to use all of the options provided in the box.

If you get all the blanks right, you get the most score points. But if you get one or more responses wrong, then partial credit scoring will apply.

Tips:

  1. Use your knowledge of Collocations to select the most appropriate words for the blanks
  2. Apply your knowledge of grammar to help you choose the correct word

Multiple choice, single answer

You will encounter a 300-word text prompt. Based on the text, you will have to answer a multiple-choice question. The only difference is that while there are several possible answers, only one response is correct.

With regards to scoring, your response will be evaluated as either correct or incorrect.

If your response is incorrect, or you don’t give an answer, you’ll receive no credits.

Tips:

  1. Focus on the keywords in the prompt to find the answer quickly
  2. Assess the given options to eliminate incorrect options

Need help to improve your PTE Reading Score?

The PTE Reading practice materials at PTE Tutorials can help you gain confidence with step-by-step tips, tricks, and strategies. You can learn more by doing with our specially-curated sample questions. For practice on the go, you can use our state-of-the-art mobile application: the PTE Tutorials Mobile App.

Best of luck for the test!