Is Your PTE Speaking Score Too Low? Here Is Why

Is your PTE Speaking score very low despite being fluent in English?

You’re not alone.

One of the reasons is due to specific task-related mistakes alongside language proficiency.

LUME Test has highlighted common errors that can drag your score down.

Practical tips are also included to help you excel in the PTE Speaking section!

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 GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)

Key Takeaways 

• Clear, confident speech is key in PTE speaking. You should avoid mimicking accents and just focus on speaking clearly in your own voice.
• It’s best to find a balanced pace. Speaking too fast or too slow can hurt your clarity and score.
• For tasks like Repeat Sentence, Retell Lecture, or Answer Short Question, focus on understanding the meaning for better responses.
• Consistent practice with real-life materials, such as podcasts or news, can significantly boost your fluency.

Related:

• PTE Academic exam: Everything you need to know
• Try our PTE full mock tests with AI answers
• How to crack the PTE test with this proven study plan
• How to improve pronunciation in a PTE test

PTE Speaking Score Very Low? Do This to Improve

Read Aloud

To boost your PTE Read Aloud score, start by preparing effectively. In the 30-40 seconds before recording, read the paragraph out loud as if you’re already taking the test. Focus on any tricky words and practice saying them until you’re comfortable.

Break the paragraph into smaller chunks. Pausing at commas and full stops helps your speech flow naturally. This will make you sound more fluent and clear.

Intonation matters too, so emphasize keywords and syllables. Imagine you’re presenting the news. Let your voice rise and fall to engage your listener. Practicing in front of a mirror can help you become more confident and expressive. 

Repeat Sentence

Improving Repeat Sentences in PTE Speaking doesn’t have to be difficult. Instead of trying to memorize every word, focus on key phrases or important parts of the sentence. Besides, shorthand can be a lifesaver. Jotting down a few quick notes helps you recall longer sentences more easily. It’s simple but effective.

Another tip is to avoid closing your eyes while speaking. Many do this to concentrate but end up starting too early, losing points. Thus, you should stay alert, watch the recording time, and begin only when it’s safe.

Describe Image

For the Describe Image section, focus on fluency and punctuation. It’s a speaking task. So, your ability to communicate clearly and smoothly is key. Reading English materials out loud can help improve both.

Also, instead of explaining every detail in the image, focus on the main features instead. You don’t need to cover every number of segments – pick a few keywords. This will make your response stronger and more manageable. 

Organize your response and aim to speak for at least 30 seconds. You can start by describing the most noticeable feature. Then, mention a few other important points and wrap up with a conclusion. Remember that a simple, structured approach works for most images.

Retell Lecture

For the Retell Lecture section, start by glancing at the picture. It can give you clues about the lecture’s topic, helping you prepare a bit. As the audio plays, try to catch the main topic and 2-3 key points. 

Listen for words like “firstly,” “secondly,” “for example,” and “therefore” to guide you to the important parts.

Once the lecture ends, take advantage of the 10-second prep time. Use it to organize your thoughts. If you’ve practiced summarizing and linking points, this will be easy. Just stick to a simple structure: start, middle, and end.

If time is running out and you haven’t covered everything, skip one point and focus on a strong conclusion. It’s more important to finish clearly than to cover every detail.

Answer Short Question

Stay calm when answering questions in this part. It’s best to take a deep breath to ease any nerves. Time moves quickly, so don’t let stress slow you down.

Another important tip is keeping your answers simple and trusting your first instinct. Most questions are straightforward, and your general knowledge is enough.

Besides, practice listening actively. Pay attention to the main points in the audio and focus on keywords like nouns and verbs while ignoring fillers like articles.

Finally, it’s best to work on vocabulary and practice listening often. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at picking out important details.

Avoid These Mistakes In The PTE Speaking Test

Speaking Too Fast

When you’re nervous, it’s easy to rush through your words. But speaking too fast can make your response unclear. It’s better to slow down and speak at a comfortable pace. This helps you enunciate your words and sound more natural. Thus, take your time and focus on clarity.

Using Too Many Fillers

Filler words like “um,” “ah,” or “like” are common when we need a moment to think. However, they weaken your response in the PTE test. 

Instead of relying on fillers, you can use the time given to gather your thoughts. Speaking without these fillers will make you sound more confident and smooth.

Using Casual Language

Casual language might feel comfortable, but it’s not suitable for the PTE. Avoid slang or informal phrases. Think of it like delivering a formal presentation. Moreover, use clear, professional language to show your command of English and to make a stronger impression.

Speaking In Fragments

Speaking in fragments or leaving sentences incomplete can confuse your listener. It’s important to finish each thought. 

When you start a sentence, complete it fully before moving on. This will help you sound more fluent and organized, making your response easier to understand. 

Conclusion

Now that you know the real reasons why your PTE speaking score might be low. So, don’t worry.

Just focus on speaking clearly, avoiding fillers, and using formal language. Make sure to speak in full sentences and keep practicing.

With time and effort, you can see a big improvement in your score.

(Read our Vietnamese version here)

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 GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)