The PET (Preliminary English Test) syllabus is a standardized outline of the topics and language skills that are covered in the exam. The syllabus is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to use English language in everyday situations at an intermediate level. The PET syllabus includes four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and each section tests a different aspect of English language proficiency.
The Reading section tests the candidate’s ability to read and understand texts in English, while the Writing section tests their ability to write clear and coherent English. The Listening section tests their ability to understand spoken English in various situations, and the Speaking section tests their ability to communicate effectively in English through conversations with an examiner and a partner. The syllabus includes a range of language skills such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and discourse. The PET syllabus is developed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and is regularly updated to reflect changes in the English language and to meet the needs of candidates and institutions.
PET Syllabus 2023: Section-wise Weightage
Here are some tips for each section of the PET exam:
- Reading:
- Skim through the text quickly to get an idea of the topic and structure.
- Read the questions before reading the text, so you know what information you need to look for.
- Pay attention to details such as dates, numbers, and names.
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question. If you’re not sure, make an educated guess and move on.
- Writing:
- Plan your writing before you start. Make a brief outline of your ideas and the structure of your response.
- Pay attention to the word count and make sure you meet the requirements.
- Use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary to show off your language skills.
- Proofread your writing carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
- Listening:
- Listen actively and take notes as you listen.
- Pay attention to the question types, such as multiple choice or gap-filling.
- Use the time provided to read the questions before each section begins.
- Don’t worry if you miss a question – move on to the next one and try to catch up.
- Speaking:
- Practice your speaking skills before the exam. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
- Speak clearly and at a steady pace.
- Use a variety of sentence structures and vocabulary to demonstrate your language skills.
- Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions and answer them directly.
Section-wise PET Syllabus 2023
Here’s a table format for the PET exam sections and their topics
Section | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Reading | Short texts, longer texts, multiple choice, gap-filling, true/false, matching |
| Writing | Short messages, informal letter or email, essay or report, review or article, sentence transformation |
| Listening | Short monologues, longer conversations, multiple choice, gap-filling, note-taking |
| Speaking | Personal information, exchanging information and opinions, collaborative task, individual long turn |
Note that the actual syllabus for each section may vary slightly depending on the exam version, but this table gives a general idea of the topics that are typically covered in each section of the PET exam.
