Read the Whole Passage First:
Before you even look at the blank spaces or options, read the entire passage quickly from start to finish. Get a general idea of the topic, the main argument, and how the sentences are connected. In real PTE, the passages are about 60–120 words. Skimming the full text helps you understand the overall context, which is critical for predicting missing words. For example, if the passage is about artificial intelligence in daily life, you might notice it covers both benefits and risks. This first reading should be quick—don’t get stuck on the blanks yet. Absorbing the “big picture” prepares your brain to spot logical connections and anticipate the type of word each blank needs.

Identify the Grammatical Gaps:
After your first reading, look carefully at each blank space. Notice if the missing word is a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or connector. Clues are all around: check the words before and after the blank. For instance, if you see “Artificial intelligence has become ___ part of daily life,” you know the missing word is likely an article or quantifier. Marking the grammar needed narrows down your options and prevents you from picking words that don’t fit the sentence structure.

Predict the Word Before Checking the List:
For each blank, pause and predict what kind of word would make sense there—before looking at the word list. For example, is it a cause (“because”), an effect (“therefore”), a quality (“crucial”), or a type of thing (“device”)? Thinking ahead makes you less likely to be tricked by similar-sounding or “filler” options. This prediction step boosts your reading speed and accuracy, since you’re not distracted by words that “look” right but are grammatically wrong.

Check All Options Carefully:
Now look at the list of word choices below the passage. Read each one and ask yourself: what part of speech is it? What is its exact meaning? Some words may look familiar but have a different meaning in academic English. For example, “device” and “advice” may look similar, but only one fits in a sentence about technology. Avoid using “first impression”—an option that just “sounds” right but doesn’t fit logically or grammatically.

Use Context Clues:
Look at the words and sentences before and after each blank. Are there hints about time (“recently,” “nowadays”), cause/effect (“so,” “because”), contrast (“however,” “but”), or addition (“also,” “moreover”)? Sometimes a blank requires a word that links ideas or clarifies relationships, not just vocabulary knowledge. For instance, if the sentence before the blank describes a problem and the sentence after describes a solution, look for connectors like “to address this.”

Look for Collocations and Fixed Expressions:
Many academic and everyday English expressions use set phrases or collocations (words that commonly go together). For example, “play a crucial role,” “rely on,” “make a decision,” “artificial intelligence applications.” If one of the options completes a common phrase or collocation, that’s a strong clue it’s correct. PTE Academic passages often use this as a test of natural English usage, so pay close attention!

Test Each Option in the Blank:
Drag one option to a blank and read the sentence aloud in your head (or softly, if allowed). Does it make perfect sense? Does the sentence sound natural and grammatically correct? If you’re unsure, test another option. Never “force” a word into a blank just because you want to use it up—each blank has only one correct answer in real PTE Academic. Practicing this step regularly helps you develop a feel for English word flow.

Check for Consistency and Logical Flow:
After filling all blanks, read the whole passage again from start to finish. Make sure the argument, description, or narrative makes logical sense from beginning to end. Does the sequence of ideas flow naturally? Are any sentences awkward or unclear? If something “feels off,” you might have a word in the wrong blank—swap options and test again.

Double-Check for Distractors and Similar Words:
PTE Academic often includes tricky options—distractors—that look very similar or could fit more than one blank if you don’t read closely. Look for subtle differences in meaning, spelling, or grammar. Words like “efficient” vs. “effective,” “device” vs. “advice,” or “innovative” vs. “innovating.” If you’re stuck, try eliminating options that definitely do not fit and focus on the last remaining possibilities.

Review and Submit Confidently:
Once you’ve checked your answers and the passage reads smoothly, trust your process and submit! Remember, practice makes perfect—the more passages you do, the faster and more accurate you’ll become. Review the explanations for any mistakes and focus on common patterns, collocations, and grammar rules that appear often in real PTE Academic Fill in the Blanks questions.

Learn from Feedback and Mistakes:
After finishing a practice or real exam, always review the answer key and step-by-step explanations. Focus on *why* the correct answer is right—not just which word goes where. Did you miss a collocation? Confuse the part of speech? Overlook a context clue? Regular review of mistakes turns weaknesses into strengths for future practice and real exams.