Same parameters. Same strategies. Widely different results.
If you are preparing for your PTE exam, chances are you have practiced on portals like ApeUni or Alfa PTE. These platforms have become immensely popular among test takers looking for affordable, flexible practice options.
However, can you really trust the scores they give you?
To find out, I decided to conduct a controlled experiment — and the results were nothing short of eye-opening.
The Purpose of the Experiment
Many students rely heavily on third-party portals to predict their performance in the real exam.
In fact, they often challenge seasoned trainers based on their mock scores.
To address this growing concern, I took:
- A real PTE exam,
- An official Pearson mock test,
- And full mock tests on both ApeUni and Alfa PTE.
The setup was strictly controlled:
- Same strategies and techniques across all tests
- Same answering styles
- Same official Pearson headphones used in real PTE centers to maintain consistent audio quality
The idea was simple:
Eliminate all external variables and see how the scores truly compare.
How I Approached the Test
Here’s a quick summary of the approach I followed:
Speaking Section:
- Read Aloud: Natural pace and rhythm, no speeding.
- Repeat Sentence: Repeated either the first or last half, focusing on clear fluency.
- Describe Image & Retell Lecture: Used flexible, logical structures without stuffing keywords.
- Answer Short Questions: Skipped to focus time on high-weight sections.
Writing Section:
- Summarise Written Text: Connected first and last lines with simple transitions.
- Essay: Keyword-driven, simple two-idea essay — no overcomplication.
Reading Section:
- Fill in the Blanks: Contextual understanding, spent about 3 minutes per set.
- Reorder Paragraphs: Answered quickly to save time for Fill in the Blanks.
- MCQs: Skipped (minor impact).
Listening Section:
- Summarise Spoken Text: Structured, grammatically sound summaries.
- Fill in the Blanks & Highlight Incorrect Words: Focused on spelling and natural rhythm.
- Write from Dictation: Replicated standard 9–12 word sentences.
- Other MCQs: Skipped again.
Why Focus on Subjective Questions?
Tasks like Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Essay, and Summarise Spoken Text are subjective in nature.
These tasks are graded by AI based on pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and content — factors that different scoring engines interpret differently.
In contrast, objective tasks like Fill in the Blanks and Reorder Paragraphs are straightforward — either your answer is correct or it’s wrong.
That’s why subjective sections are where score discrepancies most often occur between the real exam and practice portals.
Watch the Full Breakdown 📺
We have prepared a detailed video, walking you through every step of the experiment, how each task was handled, and exactly where and why the scores differed.
👉 Watch the full video below to see the real vs portal scores in action!
👇 (YouTube video embed here)
[EMBED YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE]
The Shocking Results
Here’s the actual score breakdown:
| Exam/Portal | Overall | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
| Real PTE Test | 83 | 81 | 85 | 90 | 82 |
| Official Mock Test | 84 | 80 | 85 | 75 | 90 |
| ApeUni | 71 | 70 | 74 | 59 | 82 |
| Alfa PTE | 71 | 71 | 72 | 62 | 80 |
Key Insights
🔵 Speaking Fluency:
Real PTE rewards natural pace, but portals penalize if you don’t speak “fast enough.”
🔵 Repeat Sentence:
Partial, fluent responses are fine in real PTE but cause heavy penalties on portals.
🔵 Essay and Summarise Tasks:
Both portals were fairly accurate here, though Alfa was stricter on grammar.
🔵 Overall:
Both ApeUni and Alfa have improved since Pearson’s 2024 update — but they still misinterpret fluency and pronunciation compared to the real PTE scoring system.
Final Recommendations
✅ Use practice portals as tools, not score predictors.
✅ Focus on real exam techniques — natural rhythm, structured responses, and clarity.
✅ For the most accurate score prediction, invest in the Pearson Official Mock Test.
✅ Don’t chase portal scores by speaking unnaturally fast or using robotic templates.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, preparing for PTE is about real-world communication skills, not gaming a system.
Practice portals are helpful — but for true confidence, focus on proven strategies, real exam techniques, and official scoring systems. If you need more personalized coaching for your PTE success, reach out to us today — and let’s get you exam-ready the RIGHT way.