PTE Reading is the section where most candidates lose marks they should not be losing. The passages are not always difficult. The tasks are not always tricky. But without the right strategy for each task type, you will run out of time, second-guess your answers, and score below your actual ability. This guide gives you clear, task-by-task strategies to score 79+ in PTE Academic Reading — whether you are a beginner, switching from IELTS, or targeting a PR or study visa score.
How PTE Reading Works
PTE Reading has five task types. Each one tests a different reading skill:- Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks (R&W FIB) — Choose the correct word from a dropdown to complete a passage. High scoring weight.
- Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer (MCMA) — Read a passage and select more than one correct answer. Wrong answers cost marks.
- Re-order Paragraphs — Arrange jumbled sentences into a logical paragraph.
- Reading: Fill in the Blanks (R FIB) — Drag and drop words into blanks from a word box.
- Multiple Choice, Single Answer (MCSA) — Choose one correct answer from four options.
Task 1: Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks
This is the highest value task in PTE Reading. It also affects your Writing score. Do not rush through it.Tip 1: Use Collocation to Choose the Right Word
Every blank has four dropdown options. Often two options look similar. The correct answer is the one that collocates — fits naturally — with the surrounding words. Example: "The study ______ that regular exercise reduces stress." Options: told / said / revealed / spoke Answer: revealed — because studies "reveal" findings. This is standard academic collocation. Common academic collocations to remember:- conduct a study / research
- raise awareness
- pose a challenge / threat
- draw a conclusion
- play a significant role
- have a profound impact
Tip 2: Check the Grammar of the Blank
Before choosing a word, check what grammatical form is needed:- Is it a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?
- Does the verb need to be singular or plural?
- Does the adjective need a comparative form?
Tip 3: Read the Full Sentence — Not Just Around the Blank
Many candidates read only the five words around the blank. This is a mistake. The clue to the correct word is often in the sentence before or after. Always read the full sentence containing the blank plus one sentence before and after.Task 2: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer
This is the most dangerous task in PTE Reading. Wrong answers deduct marks. Most candidates select too many options and lose points they already had.Tip 4: Be Conservative — When in Doubt, Leave It Out
Correct answers add marks. Wrong answers remove marks. There is no penalty for leaving an option unselected. Rule: Only select an answer if you are confident it is correct. If you are unsure between two options, pick neither unless one is clearly supported by the text.Tip 5: Every Correct Answer Must Be Directly Supported by the Text
Do not select an answer because it sounds true or logical. It must be explicitly stated or clearly implied in the passage.- Go back to the text for every option you consider
- Find the exact sentence or phrase that supports it
- If you cannot find direct support — do not select it
Tip 6: Eliminate Extreme Options First
Options with words like "always", "never", "all", "only", "completely" are usually wrong. Academic texts avoid absolute statements. Options with words like "some", "many", "often", "can", "may" are more likely to be correct.Task 3: Re-order Paragraphs
This task tests your understanding of logical flow and text structure. Many candidates find it the most confusing. With the right approach, it becomes predictable.Tip 7: Find the Topic Sentence First
Every paragraph has one topic sentence — the sentence that introduces the main idea. This is almost always the first sentence of the correct paragraph. How to identify the topic sentence:- It does not start with a pronoun (he, she, it, they, this, these) referring to something unknown
- It does not start with a linking word like "however", "therefore", "furthermore"
- It introduces a new idea without depending on a previous sentence
Tip 8: Use Pronouns and Linking Words as Clues
Once you have the topic sentence, look for connections between the remaining sentences:- A sentence starting with "This" or "These" must follow the sentence that introduces what "this" refers to
- A sentence starting with "However" must follow a positive or contrasting statement
- A sentence starting with "Furthermore" or "In addition" must follow a related point
- A sentence starting with "For example" must follow a general statement it illustrates
Tip 9: Read Your Final Order Aloud in Your Head
Once you have arranged the sentences, read them in order silently. Ask yourself:- Does this flow naturally from one idea to the next?
- Do the pronouns refer correctly to what came before?
- Does the last sentence feel like a conclusion or endpoint?
Task 4: Reading Fill in the Blanks
This task gives you a word box. You drag words into blanks. Unlike R&W FIB, there are no dropdown options — you must choose from the word bank, and some words will be left over.Tip 10: Use Part of Speech to Eliminate Options
First, identify what type of word each blank needs — noun, verb, adjective, adverb. Cross out every word in the bank that does not fit that category. This immediately reduces your choices.Tip 11: Use Surrounding Words as Clues
- A blank after "the" or "a/an" needs a noun or adjective
- A blank after "is/are/was/were" needs an adjective, noun, or past participle
- A blank after "very" or "quite" needs an adjective or adverb
- A blank before a noun needs an adjective
Task 5: Multiple Choice, Single Answer
This is the most straightforward Reading task. One correct answer, no mark deduction for wrong answers. Do not overthink it.Tip 12: Answer From the Text — Not From General Knowledge
The correct answer is always supported by the passage. Your personal knowledge or opinion is irrelevant here.- Read the question first before reading the passage
- Skim the passage to find the relevant section
- Read that section carefully and match it to the options
- Eliminate clearly wrong options first
Tip 13: Watch Out for Trap Options
PTE Reading often includes distractor options that:- Use words from the passage but change the meaning
- Are true in general but not stated in the passage
- Are partially correct but miss a key detail
PTE Reading: Time Management
PTE Reading has no fixed time per task — you manage your own time across the full section. Most candidates spend too long on hard questions and run out of time for easier ones. Recommended time per task type:- R&W Fill in the Blanks — 2 to 3 minutes per passage
- Multiple Choice Multiple Answer — 2 minutes per question
- Re-order Paragraphs — 2 minutes per question
- Reading Fill in the Blanks — 1.5 to 2 minutes per passage
- Multiple Choice Single Answer — 1.5 minutes per question
Common PTE Reading Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Reading every word slowly — skim for main ideas, read carefully only when needed
- ❌ Selecting too many options in MCMA and losing marks
- ❌ Ignoring pronouns and linking words in Re-order Paragraphs
- ❌ Choosing words by meaning alone in FIB tasks — always check grammar and collocation
- ❌ Running out of time — always keep track of how long you spend per task
Quick 5-Day PTE Reading Practice Plan
- Day 1: Practice 5 R&W Fill in the Blanks tasks. Focus on collocation and grammar checks.
- Day 2: Practice Re-order Paragraphs. Focus on identifying topic sentences and pronoun chains.
- Day 3: Practice Multiple Choice Multiple Answer. Practise being conservative — only select answers with direct text support.
- Day 4: Practice Reading FIB tasks. Focus on part of speech elimination before selecting words.
- Day 5: Full timed Reading section practice. Track your time per task and identify where you are slowest.
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