PTE Core Read Aloud Format, Tips And More
“PTE Core Read Aloud is easy,” said no PTE test-taker ever.
Sure, it looks simple; just read a short passage, right?
But in reality, points can quietly slip away at any time if your fluency falters!
Let LUME help you fix that.
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The PTE Core Read Aloud task is the first task in the Speaking section.
A short text (no more than 60 words) appears on the screen, and your job is to read it aloud into the microphone.
You are given 30 to 40 seconds to read the passage silently before the microphone opens.
Once the mic icon turns on, you must begin speaking immediately.
You’re not allowed to start before the mic opens, and you should not wait too long after it opens, either.
If you remain quiet for more than 3 seconds after the mic is active, the recording will stop; you won’t be able to re-record your response!
Also, remember that you must read every word in the passage exactly as written.
Skipping words, adding extra words, or changing the order of words is considered incorrect.
PTE Core Read Aloud task is scored using an automated AI-based system.
Your performance contributes to both the Speaking and Reading sections of your overall score.
The scoring is broken down into three main criteria: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation.
Each criterion is typically scored on a scale of 0 to 5 (or sometimes 0 to 90, depending on the reporting system).
To score well on Read Aloud, you need to pronounce every word clearly and accurately.
During practice, you should first identify the sounds you often mispronounce.
A good way to do this is to record your voice reading short passages aloud (such as sample Read Aloud prompts) and compare it to that of native speakers.
Next, break down difficult words into syllables.
For example, with a word like “environmental,” practice it slowly as “en-vy-ron-men-tal,” then gradually speed up while maintaining clear pronunciation.
Do not skip endings like “ed” or “-s,” as these are important for both content and clarity.
If you speak all the words in a sentence with the same tone, your speech will sound robotic, which can negatively affect your fluency score.
To train yourself to identify and emphasize keywords, take a Read Aloud sample and read it silently first.
Underline the words that carry the main meaning.
For example, in the sentence: “Technology has dramatically changed the way we communicate,” the key words are “technology,” “dramatically,” “changed,” and “communicated.”
When speaking, raise your pitch slightly on these words, slow down a little bit, and put more energy into saying them.
Pausing helps make your speech sound more organized and easier to understand.
When practicing, use this rule: pause at commas for about half a second and at full stops for about one full second.
You can physically mark the passage before reading by adding slashes (/) at commas and double slashes (//) at periods to remind yourself where to pause.
For example: “The economy is improving steadily, / though challenges remain. //”
Also, practice breathing at the pauses.
This small tip helps you maintain a steady flow of oxygen, avoiding gasping or mid-sentence breakdowns.
Each Read Aloud prompt comes with two timers: one for preparation (30 to 40 seconds) and one for recording.
Mismanaging these can hurt your performance even if you read the sentence perfectly, so don’t waste a second!
During preparation time, quickly scan the entire sentence silently and do three things:
If there’s a word you’re unsure how to say, sound it out in your head slowly to practice before the mic opens.
Also, time yourself and aim to finish reading just before the end of the recording timer, speaking in a calm voice without rushing or dragging.
Always record yourself while reading the prompt aloud, then listen to the recording critically.
If possible, ask a friend or teacher to listen to your recording and give feedback.
Alternatively, consider using AI-based tools that assess your pronunciation and fluency, such as ELSA Speak or PTE prep platforms like LUME.
Many test-takers believe that speaking quickly will make them sound more fluent.
In reality, rushing through the passage often causes you to skip words and mispronounce syllables!
You also lose control over your breathing, which may result in mid-sentence gasps or awkward pauses.
To correct this, practice pacing by reading short texts aloud with a metronome or a pacing tool (many free apps allow you to set a specific tempo).
Aim for around 140 to 160 words per minute, which is the average rate of natural English speech.
Punctuation isn’t just for writing.
When you ignore commas, periods, and other punctuation marks, your reading becomes a wall of sound with no clear structure.
Consequently, the AI will struggle to follow your ideas, lowering your fluency and pronunciation scores!
Always take 10 to 15 seconds during your preparation time to scan the passage for punctuation.
You can even whisper the punctuation silently during preparation (e.g., “comma… period…”) to mentally anchor your delivery before the mic opens.
Fluency is not just speed; it also involves the smoothness, continuity, and natural flow of your speech.
If you start and stop too much, repeat words, or insert filler sounds like “uh” or “um,” the AI recognizes these as disfluencies and deducts points.
To avoid this, you can do “one-breath practice”: read short passages aloud and try to finish each phrase or sentence without stopping or correcting yourself midway.
A flat tone usually happens when test-takers focus only on accuracy and forget to convey meaning with their voice.
Hence, you should practice adding natural intonation patterns to your voice.
In English, your pitch should rise slightly at the beginning of a sentence, dip in the middle, and fall at the end.
Questions often end on a rising tone, while statements finish with a falling one.
You should do shadowing practice with audiobooks or English podcasts — repeat the speaker’s exact tone and rhythm.
Despite often being overlooked, capital letters serve as visual cues for pronunciation.
Ignoring them leads to misreading sentence structures or failing to shift tone appropriately at the start of new sentences.
For instance, here’s a sentence: “Dr. Smith published his findings in July.”
If you treat “Dr.” and “Smith” like any other common word, your delivery may sound unclear or underemphasized.
Therefore, whenever you see a new sentence or proper noun (names of people, places, institutions), take a mental note to start strong.
One of the most effective options is LUME Prep.
It offers hundreds of Read Aloud prompts that mirror the real exam format, complete with built-in timers, AI scoring, and progress tracking.
You can also find useful practice material on YouTube, where many English teachers and PTE tutors upload Read Aloud walkthroughs.
Lastly, don’t overlook PTE preparation books, which often include Read Aloud samples along with other speaking tasks.
The PTE Core Read Aloud task is not exactly easy.
But with the right tools (and the right practice), you can ace it!
Join LUME today, and we will help you turn it into a scoring opportunity.
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Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Core 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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