PTE Core Speaking Format, Tips, And More
Why do so many test-takers panic during the PTE Core Speaking section?
That’s because speaking to a computer under pressure is nothing like a normal conversation.
Let LUME Test help you train your responses with expert-backed tips!
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A short passage (no more than 60 words) will appear on the screen, and your task is to read the entire text as naturally and clearly as possible into the microphone.
Before the mic opens, you will have about 30 to 40 seconds to scan the text and prepare your answer.
Once the microphone is on, speak at a steady pace and without excessive pauses.
Remember, if you stay silent for more than 3 seconds while the mic is recording, the system will automatically stop!
Also, while reading aloud, keep an eye on the progress bar; you must finish speaking before it reaches its end and changes to “Completed.”
You will hear a short sentence (3 to 9 seconds) spoken aloud by a native speaker.
It’s played only once, and you won’t see the sentence written on the screen.
Once the audio finishes, you will immediately hear a short tone, and the microphone will be turned on.
You must repeat the sentence right after the tone, since there are only about 40 seconds left before the microphone closes again.
Ensure that you keep the entire original sentence word for word without changing the structure, omitting words, or adding any extra ones.
In this task, you will see an image on the screen, which could be a bar graph, line graph, pie chart, table, map, diagram, or photo.
You will have exactly 25 seconds to prepare before the microphone opens!
Once it does, you are expected to describe the main features of the image clearly and logically for up to 40 seconds.
Note that you’re not graded on the accuracy of your interpretation but on your fluency, pronunciation, and how well you organize your response.
In short, there is no “factual” or “right” answer here.
This task presents a brief prompt that describes a real-life, everyday situation, such as an invitation to a birthday party or a request for the manager.
After reading the prompt, you have about 20 seconds to think of a response.
Then, a tone will sound, and you must speak immediately into the microphone for about 40 seconds.
Your answer should sound natural and relevant to the scenario (as if you are actually in that situation in real-time), using appropriate language and tone.
For this last task, you will listen to a short, spoken question that lasts 3 to 9 seconds.
Most questions in this task are general knowledge or common sense questions (e.g., “Which month comes after March?”)
After the audio ends, you will have about 10 seconds to answer that question immediately using just one word or a short phrase.
There’s no need to explain or justify your answer; in fact, a long or unrelated response will negatively affect your score.
PTE Speaking uses a scoring system that ranges from 10 to 90 points and across three main criteria:
Scoring is calculated by a machine-learning AI engine trained on thousands of human-created responses.
This AI doesn’t care about your accent, so you don’t need to “sound British” or “sound American;” just be intelligible and consistent.
You can practice on platforms like LUME, PTE Magic, or E2Language and receive feedback using AI scoring or from real tutors.
Make sure to save all your notes and practice attempts in one place (preferably a Google Drive folder) so you can track your progress over time!
You can also go to YouTube and search for beginner-friendly tutorials.
Watch how experts approach each task, then take notes on their strategies and immediately try the same techniques using real questions.
For example, after watching a lesson on “Describe Image,” open one practice image and try speaking about it using what you just learned.
To ensure consistency, set up a weekly plan in which you dedicate specific days to specific tasks.
For example, on Mondays, you could practice “Read Aloud”; Tuesdays are for “Repeat Sentence,” and so on.
Every day, choose one Speaking task and practice multiple variations of that same task in one sitting.
Instead of repeating the same phrases over and over, try paraphrasing or experimenting with different ways to organize your thoughts.
Also, use a notebook or digital document to write down useful expressions and language patterns.
Make it a rule to use at least one or two new expressions in every PTE Core Speaking test practice session!
It’s easy to record your responses using any voice recording app.
Name your recordings clearly by task and date so you can easily find and compare them later!
Once you’ve recorded your response, play it back and listen like an examiner.
Write down three things you did well and one thing you want to improve; focus on fixing that weakness the next time you practice.
If possible, upload your recording to a platform that offers instant feedback using AI or ask a tutor or peer to listen and give comments.
To fully prepare for test day, you need to take full-length mock tests under timed conditions and simulate the real exam environment!
Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, then set aside at least 30 to 40 minutes.
Commit to completing all the PTE Core Speaking modules in a row; don’t pause, don’t stop midway, and don’t redo any questions.
After you finish, write a short reflection that details what went smoothly and what you plan to improve for the next mock (and real!) test.
The AI scoring system may struggle to detect and evaluate each word when your syllables blend together.
That leads to a lower pronunciation score, even if your grammar and vocabulary are correct!
Worse, you will sound breathless and rushed, neither of which is rewarded by the test.
To fix this, you should practice speaking at a moderate pace that allows you to pronounce each word clearly and complete each sentence fully.
You can also practice reading short texts aloud, deliberately pausing at commas and full stops.
Fillers (like “um,” “uh,” “like,” and “you know”) break up your speech and make it sound hesitant and unprepared.
The AI will struggle to follow your ideas, which can confuse the meaning of your message and reduce your content score.
Our solution is to replace fillers with short, intentional pauses; silence is much better when used wisely!
For example, instead of saying, “Um, I think the… uh… main point is…” you could pause and say, “I think, the main point is…”.
This strategy gives your brain time to think while maintaining fluency.
Before the test, you should also transcribe your practice recordings and monitor the number of fillers you used.
Overly casual language (“gonna,” “wanna,” “kinda”) or vague expressions like “stuff” and “things” are natural in daily conversation.
However, these words are not at all suitable for a formal speaking test like the PTE Core!
They give the impression that your vocabulary range is narrow and that you can’t adapt your language for more serious or structured situations.
Instead, during practice, you should build your vocabulary by reading sample answers or listening to PTE speaking recordings from high scorers.
Also, rewrite your practice responses in a more formal tone, then read them aloud until they sound natural.
Short, incomplete thoughts (“Because… I guess… not good…”) are hard to follow and lack structure.
It will lower your grammar score because it shows that you clearly cannot construct full, syntactically correct sentences.
Your content score is also affected since your ideas are often left unfinished.
To fix this, train yourself to speak in full sentences with a clear structure: subject, verb, and object.
Practicing with sentence starters (“One example is…”, “This happened when…”) also gives your response a more logical flow.
LUME is one of the most practical sources for PTE Core Speaking templates.
You will gain access to structured speaking templates for each task type, along with tips on how to insert key content into your answers.
On YouTube, many expert channels even offer step-by-step walkthroughs of speaking templates in action.
You’ll also find speaking templates in prep books, though they lack the interactive feedback you’ll get from LUME or video tutorials.
Once you understand the PTE Core Speaking format, your confidence will grow rapidly.
Let’s stop guessing and start training with LUME right away!
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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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