PTE 79+ Study Plan: What “79” Means Now — and How to Prepare
For years “79 each” meant Superior English. For PTE tests from 7 August 2025, Home Affairs thresholds are different. Here’s what that means for your plan.
First: check which target you really need
Home Affairs lists Superior English for PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 as at least 69 Listening, 70 Reading, 85 Writing and 88 Speaking. For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, it was 79 in each component. Home Affairs notes that the updated test has the same name, but the test and scores are different.
Universities and professional bodies set their own requirements, so check the exact scores your institution asks for.
Who this plan is for
Students whose skill scores are already in the high 60s to mid 70s and need a final, precise push. If you’re below that, start with our 65+ plan.
Week 1: Diagnose and stabilise
- Take one full mock under exam conditions.
- Run a PTE X-Ray on the results: which skill is furthest from its specific target?
- Eliminate careless losses: word limits, one-sentence SWT, negative marking in MCMA and Highlight Incorrect Words.
Week 2: Speaking and Writing precision
- Daily recorded speaking: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Summarize Group Discussion.
- Zero-restart fluency drills.
- One essay every two days, reviewed for grammar, vocabulary range and development.
- Write From Dictation: 20 items daily with an error log.
Week 3: Integrated tasks and timing
- Focus on integrated tasks that feed two skills: Repeat Sentence, Retell Lecture, Summarize Written Text, Summarize Spoken Text, Highlight Incorrect Words, Write From Dictation.
- Timed Reading sections to protect Fill in the Blanks time.
- Second mock and re-X-Ray.
Week 4: Exam readiness
- Short daily sets rather than full mocks.
- Practise the test-day routine: microphone check, starting promptly, steady pace.
- Book only when two consecutive mocks show every skill above its target with a margin.
Free, 2 minutes, reviewed by a trainer.