5 Steps to Improve Your Vocabulary for PTE Academic
If you get a high score out of a probable 90 points on the PTE Academic, vocabulary influences something like 90 percent of that score. Whether you’re going for 65 or hoping for 79, learning the words will help you in Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
Here are 5 simple yet effective ways to improve your PTE vocabulary:
PTE-Specific Vocabulary
Stop learning haphazard random words: start from, say, the following:
Academic Word List (AWL)
Common collocations (e.g., “take responsibility”, “strong evidence”)
PTE word banks and high-frequency vocabulary
Start with 10-15 words a day and review regularly.
Use Flashcards with Real Examples
Create or use digital flashcards (like Quizlet or Anki) with: Word, Definition, Example… Synonym or related phrase Example Word: “Justify” Meaning: Show or prove to be right Sentence: “He couldn’t justify his absence from the meeting.”
Read Smart, Not Just More
Read articles, essays, and academic content most likely to be found in materials related to PTE. Focus on reading online news (BBC, The Guardian) or using PTE practice passages and academic blogs or journals-because then highlight by looking up and writing down unfamiliar words found in them.
Listen (4) Recognizing Words by Practicing Listening
To even get you ready for Listening and Speaking, adopt the natural spoken form of English, such as:
TED Talks
English Podcasts (BBC Learning English, 6 Minute English)
PTE audio practice
Teach lessons on how words are pronounced and used in a real context.
New Words Should Be Used In Speaking And Writing
That’s how you learn most new vocabulary: use it.
Short essays/ summaries with new words; practice speaking tasks (e.g., Describe Image, Retell Lecture) naturally, but don’t force the fancy words-.
Final Tip: Consistent Commitment! Yes; even 20 minutes a day can, over time, vary quite a bit. Keep track of progress, weekly revisions, and vocab acquisition improvements, which, of course, will reflect in an overall improvement in a PTE score.
