Feeling stressed about the upcoming PTE exam in Dubai? It’s understandable as the exam contains four different sections with a lot of tricky questions. But don't worry! We're here to help you out. In this article, we will break down the tricky parts of the PTE Exam Dubai and show you how to handle them like a pro.

From getting your pronunciation spot-on to sharpening your listening skills, we will walk you through everything you need to know to do your best. So, if you're ready to tackle the PTE exam with confidence, keep reading!

1. Repeat Sentence Task

The first task we are going to tackle first is the repeat sentence task. It assesses your listening and speaking abilities based on how you repeat particular given sentences. This task, nestled in the Speaking section, challenges your memory and accuracy.

What you need to know?

• Each sentence varies in length, taking around 10-15 seconds.
• Sentences cover diverse topics and structures.

To excel in this task, you need to focus on listening attentively, mimicking tone, and improving short-term memory. You can enhance these qualities by practising activities like transcribing and watching English TV shows without subtitles. 

2. Read Aloud Section

The next important task you must prepare for is the read-aloud task, which assesses your reading and speaking skills. You will read a short text aloud, and the system will evaluate your pronunciation and clarity.

What you need to know?

• This task is part of the Speaking section and is the first challenge you encounter in your PTE exam in Dubai.
• You will have around 30-40 seconds to preview the text and then another 30-40 seconds to read it aloud.
• Texts vary in content, from simple stories to factual information.

Here, you need skills like quick text scanning, clear pronunciation, steady pacing, and natural intonation. So, practice reading aloud daily and emulate native speakers' speech patterns. But while you are practising, remember to prioritise clarity over speed and to stay calm by taking deep breaths.

3. Describe Image Challenge

The Describe Image task might feel daunting, but mastering it is achievable with the right strategies. All you need to do is describe a given image in your own words.

What you need to know?

• The image could be a graph, map, chart, process diagram, or picture.
• You have 40 seconds to describe it.
• This task evaluates your ability to analyse and describe.

To ace this section, you need to first know the key information clearly. Then, use diverse vocabulary to describe the image precisely—the keyword being ‘precisely.’ It also helps to structure your response with an introduction, main features, details, and conclusion.

4. Re-tell Lecture Section

In the Re-tell Lecture section of your PTE exam in Dubai, you will hear a short academic lecture or talk, and your task is to summarise it in your own words.

What you need to know?

• This is part of the Speaking section in the PTE exam.
• Listen actively and take notes to capture the main ideas and supporting details.
• Focus on conveying the key points clearly and coherently while summarising the lecture.

Example: If the lecture topic is "The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears," your retelling could highlight aspects such as melting ice caps and reduced hunting grounds affecting polar bears' food sources.

5. Summarise Written Text Section

Another important task of your PTE exam in Dubai is the summarise written text, which is a component of the Writing and Reading section in the PTE exam.

What you need to know?

• You will have 2 to 3 questions of this kind, and each is worth 8 marks.
• Question length ranges between 150 to 400 Words.
• Your answer length has to be around 5 to 75 Words, with an ideal range of 50-65 Words.

This task analyses your content, grammar, form, and vocabulary. So, make sure to include these in your daily practice. More importantly, you need to practise managing time effectively—2 min reading, 5 min writing, and 3 min reviewing.

6. Drop-down Task

Lastly, there’s the drop-down (fill in the blanks) task that is integral to both the Reading and Writing sections of your PTE exam in Dubai. It assesses your language skills in various aspects.

What you need to know?

• You will have 5-6 questions of this model, with 4-6 blanks per question.
• One mark for correct answers, 0 for incorrect or skipped blanks.

In order to excel in this task, the most basic rule you need to follow is to avoid leaving blanks empty. Opt for the word you are most confident about when unsure, as there’s no negative marking. 

Talk to an Expert:

When you have a coach supporting you, you will be able to learn more about these tricky areas in your PTE exam. If you are interested, you can reach out to EnglishWise, an excellent institute for PTE and IELTS coaching in Dubai.