The PTE exam is a necessary and well-known exam to assess English language skills. It can be needed for work permits, migration, and study abroad. However, for your practice, getting a good score could open the door to many options. Among the many resources present is the free mock test for PTE, which students are using more and more for their practice. The mock tests also involve a band score chart. It provides you with details about how well you are performing.
Further, like any other practice tool, mock tests also have their pros and cons. In this article, you will explore the good and bad aspects of taking these free mock tests. But do you know about the band score chart? So, let’s first see this chart!
PTE Band Score Chart
The PTE test gives you grades on a scale of 10 to 90. The scores are also divided into bands based on your level of skills in English. The context of the PTE score chart is below:
| PTE Score Range | Description |
| Below 30 | It shows an IELTS band score below 4.0, which means limited ability to converse in English except in any familiar contexts. |
| 30-42 | This range is equal to an IELTS band score of 4.0, as it shows little command over the English language. |
| 43-50 | It represents an average grasp of the language and is equal to a score of 5.0. |
| 51-58 | This range shows your mastery of the English language but with some errors. However, it denotes an IELTS band score of 6.0. |
| 59-75 | It is equal to the score of 7.0, which shows a strong command of the English language with some random mistakes. |
| 76-84 | A score in this range shows an IELTS band score of 8.0, which shows a good knowledge of the language. Also, you have some minor errors at this level. |
| 85-90 | It shows your high degree of fluency, which means you are an expert in the English language with an IELTS band score of 9.0. |
These were the scores of PTE and their explanations along with their conversion in the IELTS band. So, now move ahead to explore the pros and cons of mock test in the upcoming section.
Good and Bad of Free Mock Tests
As you know everything has a good and a bad side. Likewise, there are pros and cons of mock test for PTE as well. So, let’s find them out:
Good:
There are some good aspects of taking free mock test for PTE exam practice. These are as follows:
- Less Expensive:Â The cost of official study materials, coaching sessions, and the exam itself can add up when practicing for the PTE exam. Thus, free mock test is a helpful resource for students who have less budget. It helps them to prepare for the exam without any fiscal burden.
- Track Your Progress: A band score chart is involved with some free mock tests. It gives you an estimate of your score based on your current performance. Moreover, this chart helps you to find your strong and weak points.
- Know the Exam Format: Free mock tests give you a chance to know the format of the exam. It is a computer-based test that involves three sections. These sections are speaking and writing, listening, and reading. Also, you will get familiar with the question types and time limit.
- Flexibility and Ease: You can get free mock tests online, making them available for everyone at any time. Thus, this flexibility allows you to prepare on your own time without going to the coaching center.
Bad:
There are some limitations to taking free mock test for PTE exam preparation. These limitations are explained in detail below:
- Too Much Depend on Band Score Charts:Â Score charts are helpful, but relying too much on them may be harmful. These charts provide you with a rough idea of your score, not a proven one.
- Limited Feedback: One of the main limitations of these tests is the lack of feedback provided. However, a band score chart only gives you an overview of performance. It may not give you detailed facts about why some answers are wrong.
- Quality and Reliability Issues: Free mock tests are a helpful resource, but the quality and reliability of these tests are different. Each of the free mock tests is not made equal. Moreover, some may not show the correct level of difficulty and types of questions.
- Chance of Outdated Details: PTE is updated regularly to adapt to the recent language use and testing needs. The unofficial free mock tests may likely not be up-to-date with these changes.
Conclusion
To sum up, a free mock test for PTE with a band score chart provides you with many benefits. It is mainly for those students who are looking for flexible and less expensive practice plans. They help you to assess your skills, check your progress, and know the format of the exam. It is necessary to exercise these mock tests with a PTE band score chart. Moreover, keep in mind their possible shortcomings, such as quality, accuracy, and a high reliance upon score forecasts.
In addition, you should also think about other study materials with these mock tests. These resources are study guides, feedback from expert tutors, and official practice tests. However, you can get these resources from expert instructors like gradding.com for the best practice. They may increase your chances of getting a good score on the PTE exam. So you can achieve your goals with the help of these resources.
