How to Prepare for PTE: A 2, 4 and 8 Week Study Plan

By Sydney PTE Academy, teaching PTE in Sydney since 2015 · Updated 17 October 2026

Short answer: start with a full mock test to find your real level, spend most of your time on the question types that count towards two skills at once, and only book your test when your practice scores are consistently at your target. Most students with solid English need 2 to 4 weeks of focused work. Bigger score gaps need 6 to 8 weeks.

Below is the plan we use with our own students, adapted for 2, 4 and 8 weeks.

Step 1: find your starting point

Take a full mock test under real conditions before you plan anything: timed, in one sitting, with a headset. You can do this free on our PTE Practice Hub, which has 5 full mock tests scored on the 10 to 90 scale.

Write down three numbers: your overall score, your weakest skill, and the gap to your target. That gap decides how long you need.

Gap to your target	Typical preparation time
Within 5 to 10 points	2 to 4 weeks, mostly exam technique
10 to 15 points	4 to 6 weeks, technique plus targeted language work
15 points or more	6 to 8 weeks or more, with structured language work

Step 2: focus on the tasks that count twice

Many PTE question types are scored towards two skills at the same time. Improving them lifts two of your scores together, so they deserve most of your practice time:

• Repeat Sentence: Speaking and Listening
• Write from Dictation: Listening and Writing
• Read Aloud: Speaking and Reading
• Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks: Reading and Writing
• Summarise Written Text: Writing and Reading

Lower value tasks such as Multiple Choice deserve a strategy, but not hours of practice.

The 2 week plan (gap within 5 to 10 points)

• Days 1 to 3: learn the format and a fixed approach for every question type. Use our free guides to all 22 PTE task types.
• Days 4 to 10: daily practice of the tasks that count twice, 60 to 90 minutes a day. Record your speaking and listen back.
• Days 11 to 12: a full mock test, then fix the two weakest task types.
• Days 13 to 14: light practice only. Book your test once your mock scores reach your target.

The 4 week plan (gap of 10 to 15 points)

• Week 1: format, strategy and templates for structured tasks such as Describe Image and Write Essay.
• Week 2: daily speaking drills (Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence) and daily dictation. Start a list of words you misspell.
• Week 3: writing and reading: essays, summaries and fill in the blanks, with feedback on every essay.
• Week 4: two full mock tests, a review of every lost mark, then book.

The 8 week plan (gap of 15 points or more)

• Weeks 1 to 2: pronunciation, fluency and grammar foundations, alongside learning the format.
• Weeks 3 to 5: the 4 week plan above, at a steady pace.
• Weeks 6 to 7: weekly mock tests, each followed by focused work on the weakest skill.
• Week 8: final mock tests and booking.

Daily habits that move scores fastest

• Speak without stopping. Fluency is scored, and restarting a sentence costs more than a small mistake.
• Dictation every day. 15 to 20 Write from Dictation sentences a day builds listening, spelling and writing at once.
• Use a headset and microphone like the one on test day, and practise with a little background noise.
• Review, do not just repeat. Every practice score should tell you which mark you lost and why.

When to get a teacher

Self study works well for format and practice. A teacher makes the biggest difference when:

• your scores have stopped improving for 2 weeks or more
• you cannot tell why your speaking or writing scores are low
• your test date is close and you cannot afford a second attempt

See our PTE courses, or read what PTE courses cost in Sydney. Ready to book? Here is how to book the PTE test in Sydney.

Why practise on a platform built by a PTE academy

A practice platform is only as useful as its understanding of how PTE is actually scored. PTE Practice Hub was built by Sydney PTE Academy’s teachers, who have coached PTE students every week since 2015 and see first hand which habits cost marks on test day. Generic practice sites built by software companies, with no teaching behind them, cannot draw on that experience.

• All 22 question types, scored instantly on the 10 to 90 scale and built on the official PTE scoring criteria
• 5 full mock tests that follow the real test structure
• Tips after every answer, written by teachers who see these mistakes in class every week
• Free, with a direct line to a real teacher when you get stuck

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to prepare for PTE?

Most students with solid English need 2 to 4 weeks of focused practice. A gap of 15 points or more usually needs 6 to 8 weeks.

Can I prepare for PTE in 2 weeks?

Yes, if you are within about 5 to 10 points of your target. Focus on exam technique and the question types that count towards two skills.

What is the best way to start preparing for PTE?

Take a full timed mock test first. It shows your real level, your weakest skill and how far you are from your target.

Which PTE tasks are most important?

The tasks that count towards two skills at once, such as Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, Read Aloud, Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks and Summarise Written Text.