PTE Headphones: How to Choose And Use Them Correctly
Do you know that Bluetooth or wireless PTE headphones are automatically disqualified in the exam?
That’s just one of the many audio rules that many test takers don’t find out until it’s too late.
At LUME Test, we’re here to make sure you’re not one of them!
In this guide, we’ll discuss the approved headset types, the best mic positioning, and more.
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First, your headset must be wired, meaning it must plug directly into your computer using either a USB connection or a 3.5mm audio jack.
Bluetooth or wireless headphones are not allowed, even if they have a built-in mic.
It’s because wireless devices tend to lag or cut out and mess up the audio quality.
Regarding the design, the headphones must have an over-the-head band (not earbuds, in-ear pieces, or anything that dangles loosely).
In addition, it must come with a boom microphone, the small mic that sticks out toward your mouth.
The position ensures your spoken responses are recorded clearly, which is extremely important since AI will score the Speaking section.
Also, if you’re on a Mac, remember to head to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
Then, go to the Microphone section and make sure the OnVUE app is granted access.
Otherwise, your mic might not work during the test.
To choose the best headset, you should aim for one that’s recognized for clear audio and solid noise cancellation.
This way, your voice can come through with no background hums or echoes.
Look for reliable brands like Logitech (the H390 is a solid pick), Jabra (especially the Evolve series), or Sennheiser.
In that case, you won’t need to bring or buy your own headset.
The center will assign you a headset at your test station; it has already met all of Pearson’s technical standards.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can skip checking the headset.
Before the exam begins, speak clearly into the mic, then listen to the playback to ensure your voice is being recorded properly.
If anything sounds off (e.g., the mic doesn’t pick up your voice, or there’s too much background noise), raise your hand right away.
The test center staff is there to help, and they can fix the issue or replace the headset for you.
Don’t wait until the Speaking section to realize something’s wrong — that could hurt your score badly.
First, make sure the headset earcups are sitting evenly and snugly over your ears, not lopsided or sliding off.
This ensures it can block out distracting sounds from the room.
If the headband feels too tight or too loose, take a moment to adjust it.
Regarding the PTE microphone position, many assume that placing it directly in front of their mouths makes the most sense.
But the truth is, putting the mic at lip level causes it to pick up your breath sounds, which makes your speech sound muffled or “airy.”
On the flip side, placing it too far away results in your voice sounding too soft or distant.
LUME has tested different mic positions, and here’s what we found works best:
Both are great, so choose whichever feels more comfortable and sounds better when you test it.
Once everything is set, leave it alone: Do not touch the mic, fiddle with the headset, or re-adjust mid-task.
When your voice is too soft, the microphone may not capture your words properly.
Some sounds might drop out, especially the beginning or end of words (or worse, even entire phrases).
As a result, the AI scoring system fails to detect the sound patterns and can’t evaluate your pronunciation correctly.
On the other end, speaking too loudly also causes distortion!
Once your voice exceeds the microphone’s volume limit, the audio will clip, meaning parts of your voice are literally cut off or flattened.
Make sure your voice sounds clear, even, and natural, neither faint nor too forceful.
The scoring system is designed to analyze the shape and spacing of your words through your speech wave.
At high speaking speeds, your pronunciation becomes even less accurate, and syllables or entire words may blur together.
Consequently, the speech wave shows compressed or missing sounds, which affects your pronunciation score even if you said the right words.
Still, that doesn’t mean you should speak with too many pauses, either.
The AI expects speech to flow with consistent pacing and natural pauses at appropriate points.
So, if you stop often (especially in the middle of phrases), the system will treat that as hesitancy or uncertainty.
Instead, you should use short pauses only at the end of a sentence/phrase or a comma.
As mentioned, a mic placed too close to your lips tends to pick up unwanted breathing noises and air pressure.
These sounds (such as strong “P,” “B,” or “S” sounds) become exaggerated in the recording and create sharp pops or hisses that interrupt your voice’s clarity.
To avoid these problems, position your microphone at a stable angle (about 1 to 1.5 inches) away from your mouth and slightly off-center from your breath path.
Use the mic check to test how it picks up your voice, and adjust until your speech sounds consistent and breath-free.
Touching or adjusting the microphone during your response can introduce mechanical noise (like scratching or tapping) into the recording.
Since the AI system evaluates every part of the audio, it doesn’t know how to ignore these background noises the way a human might!
Moving the mic closer or farther away mid-sentence also causes uneven and inconsistent volume, which leads to a lower fluency score.
Any adjustment or fiddling must be done properly before the Speaking section.
Once it’s secure and working well, keep your hands off it completely.
Your PTE headphones and mic position play a bigger role in the speaking section than you might think.
With the right preparation and the right tools, you’re already one step ahead!
So, before your next attempt, make sure you double-check your gear to give yourself the best shot at the score you actually deserve.
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Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Test And Achieve Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
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