What Students MUST Know to Achieve 8 Each (79+)
From 8th August, Pearson introduced major updates to the PTE Academic scoring logic, task weightage, and AI marking criteria. These changes have significantly altered how students should prepare, practise, and prioritise tasks in order to achieve higher scores.
At Boston Institute, we have analysed these changes in depth. Our objective is to provide students with clear, accurate, and up-to-date guidance so they can confidently target 79+ (8 each).
This blog explains:
- All major PTE exam changes after 7th August
- Updated marking criteria and scoring shifts
- What students must change in their preparation
- New techniques required to achieve 79+
- Recommended study structure and expert strategies
- Final guidance for guaranteed improvement
Updated PTE Test Format (Post 7th August)
Overall Test Structure
| Part | Section | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Check & Personal Introduction | Not Scored | 5–7 minutes |
| Part 1 | Speaking & Writing | 54–67 minutes |
| Part 2 | Reading | 29–30 minutes |
| Part 3 | Listening | 30–43 minutes |
Module-wise Task Weightage & Marks Distribution
The following table outlines the average number of questions and their contribution to Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening scores:
| Module | Sequence of Questions | Avg Qs | Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Read Aloud | 6–7 | 8.00 | 8.00 | |||
| Speaking | Repeat Sentence | 10–12 | 18.00 | 14.00 | 28.00 | ||
| Speaking | Describe Image | 5–6 | 28.00 | 28.00 | |||
| Speaking | Re-Tell Lecture | 2–3 | 12.00 | 11.00 | 23.00 | ||
| Speaking | Answer Short Question | 5–6 | 3.00 | 3.00 | |||
| Speaking | Summarise Group Discussion | 2–3 | 18.00 | 17.00 | 35.00 | ||
| Speaking | Respond to a Situation | 2–3 | 12.00 | 12.00 | |||
| Writing | Summarise Written Text | 2 | 20.00 | 25.00 | 45.00 | ||
| Writing | Essay | 1 | 28.00 | 28.00 | |||
| Reading | Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) | 5–6 | 25.00 | 25.00 | |||
| Reading | MCQ-Multiple | 2–3 | 4.00 | 4.00 | |||
| Reading | Re-order Paragraph | 2–3 | 8.00 | 8.00 | |||
| Reading | Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) | 4–5 | 17.00 | 17.00 | |||
| Reading | MCQ-Single | 2–3 | 2.00 | 2.00 | |||
| Listening | Summarise Spoken Text | 1 | 9.00 | 17.00 | 26.00 | ||
| Listening | MCQ-Multiple | 2–3 | 3.00 | 3.00 | |||
| Listening | Fill in the Blanks | 2–3 | 7.00 | 7.00 | |||
| Listening | MCQ-Single | 2–3 | 1.50 | 1.50 | |||
| Listening | Select Missing Word | 1–2 | 1.00 | 1.00 | |||
| Listening | Highlight Correct Summary | 2–3 | 1.50 | 2.00 | 3.50 | ||
| Listening | Highlight Incorrect Words | 2–3 | 7.00 | 12.00 | 19.00 | ||
| Listening | Write from Dictation | 3–4 | 12.00 | 20.00 | 32.00 | ||
| TOTAL | 90.00 | 90.00 | 90.00 | 90.00 | 360.00 | ||
Total Score Distribution:
Speaking: 90 | Writing: 90 | Reading: 90 | Listening: 90
Overall Total: 360 Marks
Major Scoring Shifts (Critical for 79+)
1. Speaking – Accuracy Now Matters More Than Ever
Key Updates:
- AI now penalises robotic or over-templated responses
- Mispronunciation affects both Speaking and Listening scores
- Natural fluency is rewarded; artificial speed is penalised
- Repeat Sentence now requires 90–95% sentence coverage for high scores
What Students Must Do:
- Speak naturally with stable pacing
- Focus on clarity, pronunciation, and rhythm
- Practise Repeat Sentence daily
2. Writing – Stricter AI Detection of Memorised Patterns
Key Updates:
- Overuse of templates reduces scores
- Summarise Written Text and Essay focus more on logical flow and relevance
- Unnecessary complex vocabulary can lower marks
What Students Must Do:
- Write meaningful and relevant content
- Prioritise clarity over complexity
- Improve grammar accuracy and sentence control
3. Reading – Fill in the Blanks Has Higher Weightage
Key Updates:
- Reading Fill in the Blanks now contributes significantly more
- Collocation accuracy is heavily rewarded
- AI evaluates semantic logic more deeply
What Students Must Do:
- Learn 100–200 high-frequency collocations
- Strengthen contextual reading skills
- Apply elimination techniques effectively
4. Listening – Dictation Accuracy Is Critical
Key Updates:
- Write from Dictation has zero tolerance for spelling or plural errors
- Summarise Spoken Text rewards precise idea coverage
- Listening Fill in the Blanks directly boosts Listening scores
What Students Must Do:
- Practise spelling daily
- Train your ear for articles and plural endings
- Use a clear, idea-based structure for SST
Task Weightage After 7th August
Highest Weightage Tasks (Must Master for 79+)
- Repeat Sentence
- Describe Image
- Summarise Written Text
- Essay
- Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks
- Write from Dictation
Moderate Weightage Tasks
- Summarise Group Discussion
- Retell Lecture
- Re-order Paragraph
- Summarise Spoken Text
- Listening Fill in the Blanks
- Highlight Incorrect Words
Lowest Weightage Tasks
- Reading & Listening MCQs
- Select Missing Word
- Highlight Correct Summary
What Students MUST Change in Their Preparation
- Accuracy Over Speed
Word endings, articles, pronunciation, and grammar matter more than ever. - Daily Listening & Dictation Practice
Essential for Write from Dictation and Summarise Spoken Text. - Stop Using Old Templates
After 7th of August, we have redesigned our templates, which have been tried, tested, and proven in the updated exam. - Focus on High-Impact Tasks
RFIB, RS, DI, and WFD contribute over 60% of the total score. - Natural Speaking, Not Fast Speaking
AI rewards clarity, natural rhythm, and confidence. - Build Vocabulary & Collocations
A strong vocabulary bank is essential for RFIB & LFIB.
These are available exclusively in our Student Booklet inside the Boston Institute PTE practice portal.
Recommended Study Plan for 79+
Daily 90-Minute Routine
| Speaking (20 mins) | Writing (20 mins) | Reading (30 mins) | Listening (20 mins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read Aloud | Summarise Written Text | RFIB: Dropdown | Summarise Spoken Text |
| Repeat Sentence | Essay (alternate days) | Re-order Paragraph | Fill in the Blanks |
| Describe Image | RFIB: Drag & Drop | Highlight Incorrect Words | |
| Summarise Group Discussion | Write from Dictation |
Boston’s Redesigned Templates – Important Note
We have intentionally not included templates in this blog.
After 8th August, all Boston Institute templates have been:
- Fully redesigned
- Tested in real PTE exams
- Refined based on updated Pearson AI behaviour
These premium, up-to-date templates are exclusively available in the Student Booklet within the Boston Institute PTE Practice Portal. This ensures our students use the latest, correct, and proven methods, not outdated templates circulating online.
Final Guidance for Guaranteed Improvement
The updated PTE system rewards:
- Smart strategy
- Consistent practice
- Natural communication
- High accuracy
- Clear understanding of task weightage
At Boston Institute, we consistently see rapid improvement – even among students who previously struggled – when preparation aligns with the new PTE marking algorithm.
If you are targeting 79+, your preparation must align with the new marking algorithm. Our classes, templates, booklets, and expert guidance are designed precisely for this updated exam format.
