Which PTE Tasks Are Most Important After Recent Changes: A Complete Breakdown

The traditional way of getting ready for the PTE Academic exam is consuming your time and precious study periods unnecessarily. Due to modifications in the PTE exam structure and the introduction of two new question formats along with notable changes in how scores are allocated, it’s essential to adopt a more sophisticated approach in your study plan. Lots of candidates end up spending several months on the exercises that no longer carry much significance while ignoring those that matter the most.

“Success is not attained by working harder, but by working smarter.”

The key to acing the PTE might just lie in knowing what kind of questions among the 22 types are worth spending time on, and what kind are worthy of moderate or merely minimum practice. In this comprehensive guide, we will be breaking down every PTE task and categorising them in terms of their importance while also showing you precisely how much time you should invest in each one.

Understanding the New PTE Scoring System

The PTE Academic test has experienced modifications impacting the way your score is determined. In the past, numerous tasks had an impact on your overall score. Currently, the allocation of points has changed dramatically, causing certain question types to carry greater value than others.

This change occurred due to two factors: PTE introduced two additional question formats to the exam, and they reallocated the scoring among all sections. Grasping this updated structure is essential since concentrating on tasks with points can significantly boost your total score while reducing your preparation time.

This is not perfection at all 22 activities; instead, it’s strategic excellence in those activities where it counts.

The Three-Category Priority System

The three categories into which all the PTE tasks fall will make your preparation efficient:

• Category 1: Most Important (Highest Priority): These are high-point-value items and affect several modules directly; master them first.
• Category 2: Average Importance (Secondary Priority) – These will carry a lesser weight, but together, they count toward your score. Practice these once you’ve done Category 1 tasks.
• Category 3: Of least importance (Lowest priority level): The fewest points are added to this level. Practice. Just do not spend too much time studying.

Why is it important? Maybe you excel in Category 1 and Category 2. Stumble a bit in Category 3, yet still achieve your desired score. However, if you do brilliantly in Categories 2 and 3 but completely fail in Category 1, you won’t achieve your target score even if you master every section. This is why prioritisation holds significance.

Speaking Module: Task Breakdown & Importance

Read Aloud – Average Importance

What changed: Read Aloud was once extremely crucial. Before the updates, underperforming in this section could have major consequences. Currently, its significance has been reduced to importance.

Reason: This ability will. Determine or damage your overall performance score in this evaluation, and it won’t influence your results in the Reading, Writing or Listening section, yet it will impact your Speaking mark.

Study time allocation: 2-3 times a week.

Repeat Sentence – Most Important

Why it’s important: Repeat Sentence continues to be a priority since it heavily influences both your Speaking and Listening results. This combined impact renders it extremely significant.

Takeaway: Excelling in this area can enhance two modules at once, making it among the most effective skills to acquire.

Study time allocation: Practice daily.

Describe Image – Most Important

Reason: This task currently adds 25 points to your Speaking score, a notable rise in value. Moreover, it demands that you express concepts clearly, enhancing your overall speaking abilities.

Takeaway: Being able to effectively describe images helps build the vocabulary and sentence patterns required for various other speaking activities as well.

Study time allocation: Practice daily.

Retell Lecture – Average Importance

Why it is important: This activity aids in both Speaking and Listening skills, although not extensively, as Repeat Sentence or Describe Image. It demands listening and the capacity to precisely condense information.

Study time allocation: Practice 3-4 times per week.

Respond to Situation – Average Importance

Why it is important: This exercise evaluates your skill in replying to a specific situation. Although it influences your Speaking score, it has an impact than the highest-priority speaking tasks.

Study time allocation: Practice 2-3 times per week.

Answer Short Questions – Least Important

Key takeaway: Don’t waste your time on this task. Answering Short Questions doesn’t contribute significantly to your score and should be your lowest priority in the Speaking module. If you have limited study time, skip this and focus on the important ones.

Study time allocation: Minimal to none; only practice if you have extra time.

Summarise Group Discussion – Most Important

Why it is important: Although it is one of the recent task formats, Summarise Group Discussion holds great significance. It adds marks to your Listening and Speaking results, making it a task with high impact.

Key insight: This task rewards your ability to synthesise information and extract key points, skills that transfer to other speaking and listening tasks.

Study time allocation: Practice daily

Writing Module: Task Breakdown & Importance

The Writing module has experienced the most significant changes. Both writing tasks have moved up in importance.

Summarise Written Text – Most Important 

What changed: This task moved from average importance to the most important category.

Why: Summarise Written Text now contributes substantial points to both your Writing and Reading scores. This dual contribution, combined with its increased weight, makes it a top priority.

Key insight: Mastering this task strengthens your ability to identify key information, a skill crucial for reading comprehension as well.

Study time allocation: Practice daily.

Essay – Most Important 

What changed: Essays have also been elevated from average to most important importance.

Why: The Essay task now contributes significantly more points to your Writing module. It’s also the longest writing task, giving you the most opportunity to demonstrate your language proficiency.

Main takeaway: A compelling essay can significantly enhance your Writing score and total outcome. Don’t overlook this assignment.

Study time allocation: Practice daily writing at least one full essay per day during preparation.

Listening Module: Task Breakdown & Importance

The Listening module has six task types with varying levels of importance after the recent changes.

Listening: Summarise Spoken Text – Most Important 

Why it matters: This task is a top priority in the Listening module. It contributes substantial points and requires you to understand, process, and synthesise spoken information, core listening skills.

Study time allocation: Practice daily.

Listening: Multiple Choice (Multiple Questions) – Least Important 

Why it is important: Although this is a multiple-choice activity, it adds a few points to your Listening score. Avoid focusing on this as a more significant task.

Study time allocation: Practice 1-2 times per week.

Listening: Fill in the Blanks – Average Importance

What changed: Previously, this task was very significant. It no longer adds to the Writing module. Currently, it only contributes 6-7 points to the Listening score.

Why the change is important: Although it retains some significance the lowered priority indicates it shouldn’t be your concentration. Invest time only after you have mastered the essential tasks.

Study time allocation: Practice 2-3 times per week.

Listening: Highlight Correct Summary – Least Important 

Why this matters: This task contributes points to your overall score despite being part of the Listening section.

Study time allocation: Practice 1-2 times per week.

Listening: Select Missing Word – Least Important 

Why it is important: Like Highlight Correct Summary, this task has an impact on the overall score evaluation.

Study time allocation: Practice 1-2 times per week.

Listening: Multiple Choice – Least Important 

Reason for importance: This activity adds the number of points, within the Listening section.

Study time allocation: Practice 1-2 times per week.

Listening: Highlight Incorrect Words – Average Importance

Why it is important: This activity asks you to pinpoint mistakes in a passage. Although it impacts your Listening score, it holds a level of significance.

Study time allocation: Practice 2-3 times per week.

Write from Dictation – Most Important 

What altered: Although the weighting has reduced from its value of approximately 40 points, in both Listening and Writing, it continues to be significant enough to stay in the highest category.

Why it continues to be important: Write from Dictation assesses your skill in listening and writing precisely. Despite decreased involvement, it continues to be a task of significance.

Your Smart Preparation Strategy

Having grasped the significance of every task, here is the way to organise your PTE study plan:

Phase 1: Master Category 1 (Most Important Tasks)

Concentrate on the highest priority tasks initially. These represent your leverage actions. Allocate 70-80% of your study duration to these until your performance remains consistently strong.

Most Important Tasks Summary:

• Repeat Sentence
• Describe Image
• Summarise Group Discussion
• Summarise Written Text
• Essay
• Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)
• Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)
• Listening: Summarise Spoken Text
• Write from Dictation

Phase 2: Add Category 2 (Average Importance Tasks)

After becoming comfortable, with Category 1 tasks gradually start incorporating Category 2 tasks.

Average Importance Tasks Summary:

• Read Aloud
• Retell Lecture
• Respond to the Situation
• Reading: Reorder Paragraphs
• Listening: Fill in the Blanks
• Listening: Highlight Incorrect Words

Stage 3: Complete Category 3 (Least Important) Tasks

Focus on Category 3 exercises after mastering Categories 1&2. Allocate no more than 5% of your preparation time in this category.

Least Important Tasks Summary:

• Answer Short Questions
• Reading: Multiple Choice (Multiple Questions)
• Reading: Multiple Choice (Single Answer)
• Listening: Multiple Choice (Multiple Questions)
• Listening: Highlight Correct Summary
• Listening: Select Missing Word
• Listening: Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Critical Insight: You can score well in Categories 1 & 2 but poorly in Category 3. In this case, you will be able to reach your target score. You will also fare very well in Categories 2 & 3 but poorly in Category 1. In this case, your performance will fall short of your target score.

Get Your Personalised Score Assessment

Understanding task importance is the first step. The next step is knowing your current level and how much you need to improve on each task.

Take a free full-scored mock test on Language Academy to:

• Get an accurate picture of your current PTE level
• Receive an in-depth analysis of your performance on each task type
• See exactly what mistakes you’re making
• Get personalised tutor feedback on what to work on
• Understand your likely score on the actual test

You can access Language Academy at languageacademy.com.au or download the LAPT Exam Practice App (link in the description) to practice targeted tasks and track your progress.

Key Takeaways: PTE Success Isn’t About Hard Work Alone

PTE success requires smart work combined with effort in the right direction. Here’s what you need to understand:

Understand the assessment guidelines. Be aware of the points each task adds to your total. This document has detailed that information for you.

Practice strategically, not randomly. Don’t practice everything equally. Prioritise the most important tasks, master those, then move to the next tier.

Focus on direction, not on exertion. Numerous examinees put in effort, yet move in the wrong direction. Their work goes to waste. You currently possess a plan; stick to it.

Track your progress. Take regular practice tests to ensure your preparation strategy is working. Adjust as needed based on your performance.

Ready to Transform Your PTE Preparation?

You currently possess the insight that many test-takers do not. You know precisely which tasks are most important, the amount of time to dedicate to each, and the sequence in which to learn them.

Begin by taking the free practice test at Language Academy (languageacademy.com.au). This will provide you with a starting point. Highlight the most important areas that require attention.

Next, dedicate yourself to daily practice. Prioritise the Category 1 tasks initially. Become proficient in them. After achieving high scores, proceed to Category 2 and eventually Category 3.

Engage with expert advice. If you find yourself challenged by assignments or require tailored feedback, Language Academy provides online courses with 13 sessions each day spanning multiple time zones, along with in-person classes available in Australia, India and Nepal. More than 50,000 learners have reached their target scores through professional assistance.

Remember: PTE isn’t about how hard you work. It’s about working smart, understanding what matters, and executing.

Watch the Full Breakdown

For a detailed video explanation of all 22 PTE task types and their importance levels, watch the complete analysis here. This video provides additional insights and real examples of how these tasks appear in the actual test.

FAQs: PTE Task Importance After Recent Changes

Q: Is it necessary to keep practising Answer Short Questions? 

A: No, they are not a priority. Answer Short Questions, add a small number of points. Concentrate on the tasks initially and only work on these if you have spare time after excelling in the main categories.

Q: Why has Describe Image gained importance?

A: Describe Image currently adds 25 points to your Speaking score, which is a substantial rise compared to before. Moreover, the abilities cultivated by this task enhance your speaking skills for other types of questions as well.

Q: Is it possible to achieve my target score by concentrating on Category 1 tasks? 

A: Although it might be achievable in theory, it is not advisable. Prioritising Category 1 tasks guarantees you earn the valuable points. Tasks, in Categories 2 and 3, also add to your score, so work on them after you have become proficient in Category 1.

Q: To what extent has Write from Dictation evolved? 

A: Write from Dictation formerly accounted for 40 points in both Listening and Writing (80 in total). Although its significance has lessened, it remains a focus area because it evaluates essential accuracy abilities.

Q: Should I adopt a strategy for PTE Academic compared to PTE Core? 

A: This handbook concentrates on PTE Academic. Although several tasks overlap in PTE Core, the allocation of scores might vary. Consult the Language Academy for advice regarding PTE Core preparation.

Q: What is the recommended study period for PTE to reach my desired score? 

A: The timeframe varies based on your existing proficiency and goal score. Language Academy’s complimentary mock test provides an assessment. Typically, 4-8 weeks of planned study is adequate for most candidates, particularly when receiving appropriate support.

Q: Where can I find practice materials for the most important tasks? 

A: Language Academy offers comprehensive practice materials, mock tests, and targeted exercises for all task types. Our Exam Practice App provides on-the-go practice opportunities.