Scoring 85 on the PTE Academic test in just 30 days sounds like a stretch — especially when you’re starting from a 58. That’s what I thought too. But after failing to hit my target score twice, I realized something had to change.
This isn’t another generic “study hard” story. This is a day-by-day breakdown of what actually worked — strategies, tools, habits, and a mindset shift that turned things around.
The Turning Point: Understanding What PTE Really Tests
When I first scored 58, I thought my English was the problem. It wasn’t. The real issue? I didn’t understand how the PTE scoring system works. This test doesn’t just reward good English — it rewards strategy.
Here’s what I learned:
- Fluency beats complexity in Speaking.
- Structured, clear answers win in Writing.
- You lose more points from tiny spelling mistakes than you think.
- Some tasks carry way more weight than others.
Once I got that, everything clicked.
My 30-Day PTE Plan — Broken Down
I broke the month into three phases:
Phase 1: Diagnose Destroy (Days 1–7)
Goal: Identify weak areas. Stop wasting time on low-impact tasks.
- Took 2 full-length PTE mock tests from reliable platforms.
- Analyzed every task. My speaking was slow, and I kept messing up Repeat Sentence and Write from Dictation.
- Created a scoring map to prioritize:
- ? High Priority: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Write from Dictation, RW Fill in the Blanks
- ? Medium: Summarize Spoken/Written Text
- ⚪ Low: Multiple-choice and other low-weight tasks
Phase 2: Train Like It’s Game Day (Days 8–21)
Goal: Build test muscle through daily, timed practice.
My daily routine:
- ?️ Speaking practice (45 min): 30 Repeat Sentences + 10 Read Alouds (focus on fluency and clarity, not speed)
- ✍️ Writing (30 min): 1 essay + 2 summaries (reviewed using Grammarly + feedback from a mentor)
- ? Reading Listening (1 hour): Alternated days between Reading Fill in the Blanks and Write from Dictation
- ? Error review (30 min): Re-did every wrong answer from the previous day
Pro tip: I recorded myself speaking. Painful at first, but game-changing. You’ll hear what the AI hears — hesitations, mispronunciations, flat tone.
Phase 3: Pressure Training (Days 22–30)
Goal: Simulate real test conditions. Build mental endurance.
- Took 3 full-length mock tests (one every 3 days).
- Sat in silence. No distractions. Timed everything.
- After each mock, I didn’t just look at scores — I broke down what cost me points and re-trained those tasks that night.
By Day 28, I scored an 84 on my final mock. I knew I was ready.
Test Day Results
Test date: March 15
Final Score: 85 overall
- Speaking: 90
- Writing: 82
- Reading: 81
- Listening: 84
What I Did Differently
- Focused only on high-impact tasks.
80% of my time went into tasks that drive the score. - Treated mock tests like the real thing.
If you go casual on mocks, you’ll panic on test day. - Reviewed everything I got wrong.
You don’t get better by practicing — you get better by fixing your mistakes. - Spoke with confidence, not perfection.
The AI rewards fluency, not hesitation trying to sound fancy. - Used free tools smartly.
You don’t need paid courses. You need discipline and the right resources.
Final Thoughts
Jumping from 58 to 85 in 30 days wasn’t easy — but it was possible because I stopped wasting time on the wrong things and trained like I meant it.
If you’re serious about getting 79+, stop guessing. Take a mock test, find your gaps, and double down on the tasks that matter.
You don’t need more English. You need better strategy.
