How to Do Well in the PTE Exam – A Complete Guide for Bangladeshi Students
The PTE Academic exam is gaining popularity among Bangladeshi students and job-seekers, especially those planning to study or migrate to Australia, the UK, Canada, or New Zealand. Since PTE is a fully computer-based English language test, many students feel nervous about how to prepare, especially when it comes to the speaking section and technical setup.
This detailed guide is designed especially for students in Bangladesh who want to score well in the PTE Academic exam on their first attempt.
📌 1. Understand the PTE Exam Format First
Many Bangladeshi students make the mistake of jumping into preparation without understanding the full structure of the exam.
The PTE Academic has four sections:
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Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes)
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Reading (29–30 minutes)
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Listening (30–43 minutes)
Each section has specific types of questions such as:
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Read Aloud
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Repeat Sentence
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Summarize Written Text
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Essay Writing
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Fill in the blanks
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Write from Dictation
👉 Tip: Visit the official Pearson PTE website or YouTube for demo videos of each task.
Image Suggestion: A labeled chart showing PTE exam sections and time duration.
🧠 2. Strengthen Your English Skills from the Basics
In many rural and even urban areas of Bangladesh, students often focus more on grammar rules than practical usage. In the PTE, it’s not enough to just know grammar – you have to use it in speaking and writing fluently.
Here’s how to start:
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Listening: Watch BBC News, TED Talks, or Australian interviews (on YouTube).
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Speaking: Practice with friends or use mobile apps like Elo Talk, Hello English, or Google Assistant.
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Reading: Start reading English newspapers like The Daily Star or storybooks.
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Writing: Start with paragraph writing, then practice summarizing news stories.
Local Tip: Avoid memorizing essays or model answers—you need spontaneous and natural responses in PTE.
🕒 3. Manage Your Time During the Exam
Time management is crucial, especially in the Speaking and Listening sections. For example, in Repeat Sentence, you only get a few seconds to respond after the audio ends.
How Bangladeshi students can practice time management:
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Use a stopwatch while practicing.
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Practice each question with time limits.
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Take full-length mock tests weekly.
Image Suggestion: A student in Bangladesh using a mobile timer while practicing with headphones.
💻 4. Practice on a Computer – Not on Paper
Many students in Bangladesh still prepare on paper or mobile. But since PTE is a computer-based test, you should always:
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Practice on a laptop or desktop.
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Use a headphone with mic, just like the exam center.
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Practice typing essays instead of writing in notebooks.
Important Note: Typing speed matters. You won’t get extra time to think and type slowly.
Image Suggestion: A Bangladeshi student typing on a laptop with headphones on.
🗣️ 5. Focus on Speaking Fluently – Not with a British or American Accent
Many Bangladeshi students think they need a foreign accent. Wrong. In PTE, what matters is clarity, pronunciation, and fluency.
How to improve speaking in the Bangladeshi context:
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Read English aloud every day (newspaper, paragraphs, etc.)
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Record your voice and listen to check for fluency
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Practice “Describe Image” tasks using local visuals (like describing a rickshaw or a Bangladeshi map)
Tools You Can Use:
Google Recorder App, Speechling, ELSA Speak, or even Facebook Voice Notes
Image Suggestion: A student practicing speaking in front of a mirror with a book.
✍️ 6. Learn Smart Templates for Writing and Speaking
Bangladeshi students often struggle with building structured answers. Templates help you organize your answers without memorizing.
Examples:
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For Describe Image: “This image represents… It includes several components such as… Overall, it can be concluded that…”
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For Essay Writing: Use the format – Introduction → Two Body Paragraphs → Conclusion
👉 Don’t overuse them. Learn how to customize them naturally.
🎧 7. Develop Smart Listening Skills
Many Bangladeshi students find the Write from Dictation or Summarize Spoken Text difficult. This is because they are not used to fast English or different accents.
Here’s what to do:
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Listen to English radio stations (try Radio Australia)
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Watch IELTS/PTE Listening practice clips on YouTube
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Take notes using symbols or keywords, not full sentences
🧪 8. Take Mock Tests Under Real Exam Conditions
Visit a local PTE coaching center in Dhaka, Chattogram, or Sylhet if possible and sit for a full-length mock test.
Or you can try:
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Pearson’s official scoring mock test (paid)
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Free online platforms like PTE Tutorials, E2Language, ApeUni app
Note: Practicing in a noisy or shared environment (like internet cafes) may prepare you better for the real test.
😌 9. Stay Mentally and Technically Prepared
On the exam day, many students panic just because they are unfamiliar with the exam room setup.
Tips for Bangladeshi test-takers:
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Visit the test center (e.g., IDP or Pearson VUE center) one day before.
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Eat light food before the test (avoid heavy rice-based meals).
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Carry your passport, arrive early, and stay calm.
Image Suggestion: A test candidate in Bangladesh walking into a PTE test center with ID in hand.
🧑🏫 10. Get Help if Needed – But Practice Independently Too
Joining a coaching center like Mentors, Saifur’s, or SmartWay can help you get feedback and guidance. But don’t just depend on them.
Build your personal study habit:
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Practice 2 hours daily (1 hour speaking + 1 hour writing or listening)
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Use a checklist to track weak areas
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Watch success stories of Bangladeshi candidates on YouTube for motivation
🎯 Final Words: You Can Do It!
Getting 65+ or even 79+ in the PTE is very achievable for Bangladeshi students, with the right plan and practice. No need to fear the computer or the microphone. Focus on:
✅ Clear pronunciation
✅ Smart strategies
✅ Daily practice
✅ Staying confident
Your dream of studying or settling abroad can become reality through your PTE success.
You may read: IELTS Reading Unique Tips
