How to Improve PTE Score from 65 to 79 (the 2025 Strategy)
Are you checking your PTE score report again and again, seeing that same number – 62, 65, 68 – and feeling completely stuck? You practice for hours, you watch countless videos, but you can’t seem to make the leap to that magic number: 79+
First, know that you are not alone. The jump from a PTE 65 (IELTS 7) to a PTE 79 (IELTS 8) is the most difficult leap in the PTE journey.
The reason you’re stuck probably isn’t your English level. It’s your strategy! If you want to know how to improve PTE score from 65 to 79, you need to stop practicing more and start practicing smarter. This 5-step plan, based on the proven methods we use in our coaching, is your new strategy.
Why It’s So Hard to Improve Your PTE Score from 65 to 79
Scoring a 65 proves you have a good command of English. However, scoring a 79+ proves you have mastered the PTE test itself. It requires a shift from just “using English” to strategically giving the computer algorithm exactly what it wants to see and hear.
If your score is not improving, it’s because you are likely practicing the wrong things or using flawed techniques. This plan is designed to break that cycle.
How to Improve PTE Score from 65 to 79: The 5-Step Strategy
Step 1: Get an Accurate Diagnosis (Stop Guessing)
You cannot fix a problem you don’t understand. The very first step is to take a high-quality, accurately scored mock test to find your real weaknesses. The first mock test is often bad, and that’s okay! Its purpose is not to get a perfect score, but to give us data. It shows us exactly where the points are being lost. As I tell my students, after your first mock, “there’s going to be a million little mistakes I will find that we can fix.”
Step 2: Master the “Big Four” High-Impact Tasks
To improve your PTE score efficiently, you must apply the 80/20 rule. This means focusing on the 20% of tasks that deliver 80% of your results. Your study plan must revolve around these four critical question types:
- Read Aloud: This single task is a powerhouse for your Speaking and Reading scores. Your fluency and clarity here are non-negotiable.
- Repeat Sentence: This task contributes massively to your Speaking and Listening scores. Mastering the “sequence” is key.
- Fill in the Blanks (Reading): Both “drop-down” and “drag-and-drop” types are the absolute core of the Reading section.
- Write from Dictation: This is the king of all questions, providing a huge number of points to both Listening and Writing.
Mastering these four tasks alone can get you above 65 in every section. The final push from 65 to 79 comes from perfecting your strategy in these specific areas.
Step 3: Learn the Right Strategies (Not Just More Practice)
A 79+ score requires advanced techniques. For example, many students struggle with Repeat Sentence because they try to remember all 12-14 words.
Wrong Strategy: Trying to get every word and making small mistakes, like “Professors Smith would be late for today lecture.” This breaks the sequence and destroys your score.
Right Strategy: Securing the first 5-6 words perfectly in sequence. “Professor Smith will be late for…” This method secures the majority of the marks, even if you miss the end of the sentence.
You must upgrade your technique for each of the “Big Four” tasks to see a real improvement in your score.
Step 4: Implement a Daily High-Intensity Practice Routine
Consistency is what builds mastery. To get from 65 to 79, you need a dedicated daily routine. A simple but highly effective plan could look like this:
Monday to Friday: The Daily Grind
- Task 1 (30 mins): Practice 50 x Write from Dictation sentences.
- Task 2 (30-45 mins): Complete 20 x Fill in the Blanks questions.
- Task 3 (15-20 mins): Drill 15 x Read Aloud, focusing on fluency.
Weekend: Review and Consolidate
- Task 1: Review all the Write from Dictation sentences you circled as “completely wrong” during the week.
- Task 2: Analyze your Fill in the Blanks mistakes. Identify if they are grammar or vocabulary issues.
- Task 3: Complete a full Speaking Mock Test on the platform to check your fluency under pressure.
This targeted, high-intensity practice is far more effective than spending hours randomly on low-scoring questions.
Step 5: Get Expert Feedback to Refine and Perfect
This is the final, crucial step that closes the gap. You can’t fix mistakes you don’t know you’re making.
Case Study: We recently had a student who kept failing his reading section, his score always stuck at 69-71. He had practiced hundreds of Fill in the Blanks questions with no improvement.
After one mock test review, we discovered the real problem: his Read Aloud was inconsistent. His “gas-brake” delivery was damaging his reading score before he even started the section. He would start saying a word, stutter, correct himself…and constantly kept doing this thinking that CORRECTING your mistakes would make the score better. Little did he know – it actually tanked his reading.
After two coaching sessions focused only on fixing his Read Aloud technique, his overall reading score jumped to 81.
This is the power of expert feedback. A coach can diagnose the true source of your problem and give you the targeted strategy you need to finally improve your PTE score from 65 to 79.
Ready to Break the Cycle?
Getting unstuck from a 65 score is entirely possible, but it requires a new approach. You need a clear plan, the right strategies, and expert guidance to show you the way.
If you’re ready to start this 5-step plan, we’re here to help.
Good luck with your PTE preparation!
Alex 🙂
👉 Start with Step 1 by taking an accurately scored Mock Test on the Dream English Platform.
👉 To get expert guidance, explore our Online Coaching Packages designed specifically for students aiming for 79+.
For other inquiries – text our team on WhatsApp at: +61423058115
