PTE Speaking Test Format And Tips For High Scores
PTE Speaking is the opening section of the PTE Academic test, assessing your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
With a range of question types, it’s a comprehensive evaluation of your speaking skills.
In this guide, LUME Test will walk you through the structure of the PTE Speaking section!
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In the Personal Introduction of the PTE speaking parts, you need to introduce yourself briefly. Mention your name, academic background, and interests or hobbies.
You have 25 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to record your response, and you can only record once. The focus is on speaking clearly and confidently and keeping it simple!
During the Read Aloud section, you have to read the text displayed on the screen. You’ll get 30- 40 seconds to prepare before the microphone is activated.
There is a countdown that will appear, and when it counts down to the end, you will hear a short tone. This indicates that you should begin speaking.
Do not speak before the tone, or your voice will not be recorded. Also, it’s best to speak clearly at a steady pace. There is no need to hurry. You have only one chance to record your response, so try to finish before the progress bar finishes.
Note that if you pause for more than 3 seconds, the recording will stop. When you’re done, the word “Recording” will change to “Completed”.
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The Repeat sentence section requires you to listen to a sentence and then repeat it exactly as you heard. The audio will play automatically, and once it finishes, the microphone will open. There’s no tone, so you need to speak right away.
You will be given 15 seconds to respond, so do it as quickly as possible and repeat the sentence without changing any words. It’s best to pay close attention to the pronunciation and structure, as it’s expected in this task.
In the Describe Image section, you’ll get a picture of your screen. You should describe it in as much detail as possible. You will have 24 seconds to view the picture and prepare your thoughts. When the countdown is done, you will hear a short tone, and that will be your cue to start speaking.
Speak clearly and describe the image in as much detail as possible, covering key elements such as the setting, objects, people, or any other noticeable features.
Do not speak before the tone, as your voice won’t be recorded. This task assesses your ability to speak fluently and organize your ideas. You’ll have 40 seconds to complete your response.
Your task in this Retell Lecture section is to summarize an academic lecture in your own words. The lecture will play automatically and may include an image to help you understand the content.
Once the audio ends, you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare. After that, you’ll hear a short tone, signaling you to start speaking immediately.
Use the 40 seconds given to clearly explain the main points and key details from the lecture. Focus on delivering your response fluently and accurately, keeping your explanation well-organized and relevant.
In this Answer Short Question section, you’ll listen to a question and respond with a single word or a short phrase in this part. The audio will start automatically and may sometimes include an image for context.
When the question finishes, the microphone will activate immediately, and you’ll see the recording status box. Start speaking right away. There’s no tone to signal you. Remember to keep your answer brief and direct, focusing on providing the correct response within the 10 seconds allowed.
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Familiarize yourself with common core topics like health, education, and technology. These are frequently tested areas that may appear in reading articles or videos. The more knowledge you gain about these topics, the easier it will be to respond quickly and more coherently.
Make sure to keep your language clear and straightforward. Do not make your answers overly complicated. You should use simple words and sentences so that your response is easy to understand.
For example, instead of saying, “The implications of this are manifold,” say, “This has many effects.” Simple language will let you convey what you are trying to say without any confusion.
Listening to native speakers can also significantly improve your speaking skills. By emulating their pronunciation, tone, and rhythm, you’ll sound more natural and fluent.
Pay attention to how they stress certain words, their pauses, and overall pacing, and try to replicate these aspects when speaking yourself. This practice will help you sound more fluent and confident during the exam.
When you speak, focus on finishing your sentences smoothly without stopping or starting over. If you make a small error, it’s better to keep going than to pause and correct yourself.
This keeps your delivery fluent and ensures a consistent pace, which is crucial for scoring well.
The test center will have background noise from other test-takers speaking around you. To prepare, practice in slightly noisy environments, such as a cafe or with background sound at home.
This will help you stay focused and unaffected by distractions, maintaining your flow even in a busy setting.
Investing in good-quality audio equipment is one of the useful PTE speaking strategies. Practicing with quality headphones and a microphone helps you clearly hear your voice, which is essential for identifying areas that need improvements, like pronunciation or tone.
Also, practicing with similar equipment to what’s used in the test can make the actual exam feel more familiar.
A poorly adjusted microphone can muffle your speech or pick up unnecessary sounds like breathing. Position it slightly to the side of your mouth and test it before starting. Taking a moment to ensure it’s set up properly can prevent technical issues and ensure your voice is recorded clearly.
Focus on keeping a good flow of speech. Small mistakes in pronunciation or grammar are fine in speaking as long as you remain fluent.
Pausing and restarting can lower your scores more than minor errors will. Besides, a confident delivery, even with imperfections, reveals a communicative ability.
Success in PTE Speaking comes from clarity and confidence. Regular practices in environments that resemble the test setting with some noises should be carried out.
Aim for smooth, continuous speech rather than perfection, and don’t worry too much about minor errors. Keep on practicing, and you will feel ready for this test!
(Read our Vietnamese version here)
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