How to get Superior English Score in PTE Academic

For many years, scoring 79 in each section of PTE was widely accepted as proof of Superior English.

That standard has changed.

Although the test name remains PTE Academic, the scoring requirements used to assess English proficiency are now higher. This has caused confusion for many candidates whose results once felt strong — but no longer qualify.

To be assessed as having Superior English, you now need at least:

Reaching these scores requires more than good English. It requires clear strategy, smart preparation, and an understanding of how PTE is scored today.

1. Get to Know the Test — and How to Score Well

PTE Academic has 22 different question types, and each one has its own purpose, structure, and scoring rules. Knowing what the task is called is not enough. You must know how marks are actually awarded.

To score well in any task, you should understand:

For example, speaking tasks reward continuous, clear speech more than perfect grammar. Writing tasks reward structure and relevance as much as vocabulary.

Candidates who understand how marks are given make fewer mistakes and use their time more effectively.

2. Understand Scoring and Focus on High-Impact Question Types

Not all PTE questions contribute equally to your final score.

Some tasks assess multiple skills at the same time, while others have limited impact. Spending equal time on every question type is one of the most common reasons candidates plateau.

To improve faster:

This approach allows you to gain more marks with the same amount of study time.

3. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

High-impact tasks matter, but so do your personal weak areas.

Two candidates aiming for Superior English may need completely different strategies. One may struggle with fluency, while another loses marks in spelling, reading accuracy, or pronunciation.

You should regularly:

Targeted practice is always more effective than generic practice.

4. Prepare Properly. Don’t Cram

Superior English scores are not achieved through last-minute preparation.

Because PTE tests many skills across many task types, improvement comes from consistent, structured study, not cramming.

Effective preparation includes:

If you need help structuring your preparation, this guide explains how to plan your study effectively:
PTE preparation tips and study plan

5. Avoid Templated Answers

One of the biggest mistakes candidates still make is using memorised templates found online.

A bad example (memorised template)

“The lecture was very important and informative. It discussed many aspects in detail and provided useful information for the audience.”

This response sounds vague, rehearsed, and does not clearly reflect the actual content of the lecture.

Better sentence stems for Retell Lecture

Instead of memorising full answers, use flexible sentence stems that allow you to adapt naturally:

These structures help you stay fluent and relevant without sounding memorised.

6. Live in English During Your Preparation

To reach a Superior English level, English cannot exist only inside a test platform.

Try to surround yourself with English every day:

The more naturally English fits into your daily life, the more confident and fluent you become in the exam.

7. Take Regular Mock Tests to Measure Your Real Score

Regular mock tests are not just practice. They are how you estimate your actual PTE score and understand where you currently stand.

Many candidates feel confident during daily practice but are surprised by their real exam result. This usually happens because they never tested themselves under real exam conditions with accurate scoring.

Taking regular mock tests allows you to:

Mock tests turn preparation into data. Instead of wondering “Am I ready?”, you can answer that question clearly.

Without accurate mock tests, it’s easy to overestimate your level — or waste time improving areas that won’t change your final score.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Level Before Test Day

Achieving a Superior English score in PTE Academic is not about luck or last-minute effort. It comes from:

Regular, realistic mock tests give you that clarity. They show whether you are already at a Superior English level — or exactly what still needs work.

If you want to know your current PTE level and how close you are to achieving Superior English, practise with mock tests that use realistic exam conditions and accurate scoring.

Benchmark’s PTE mock tests help you estimate your score, identify weaknesses, and prepare with confidence — so there are no surprises on test day.