PTE Speaking: Proven Tips, Templates, and Tricks

Many of you are facing issues in PTE Speaking and have some problems. Don’t worry I am presenting a very informative and interesting blog on PTE speaking to address your queries. In this comprehensive guide, we will look at successful PTE speaking practice, useful insights, and structured PTE speaking templates to help you improve your PTE performance. So, let’s get started.

All you need to know about PTE Speaking Test

• The PTE Speaking section is the first part of the test.
• It assesses the candidates’ speaking and writing abilities through a combination of speaking and writing questions.
• This section consists of seven different question types and is the longest section of the PTE Test, lasting from 54 to 67 minutes.
• The entire PTE exam is computer based, with no human intervention.

Candidates are evaluated based on Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation. This blog will provide a detailed description of each evaluation parameter, along with tips and instructions for each type of PTE speaking test item.

PTE Speaking Item Types

• PTE Speaking total has 5 different question types:
  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat Sentence
  • Describe Image
  • Re-tell Lecture
  • Answer Short Question
• The approximate time that the PTE Speaking section takes is 30-35 minutes.
• The remaining 2 item types “Summarize written text and Essay” are part of Writing that examines candidates’ Reading and Writing skills.

Overview of PTE Speaking Questions Types

Let us understand each PTE speaking question in brief along with some tips, tricks, and techniques.

Personal Introduction

• The test will commence with the question type named “personal introduction” which does not contribute to the overall scoring. However, it is advisable that you attempt this question to reduce any anxiety or nervousness.
• 25 seconds will be given approximately to prepare a response for personal introduction after which you will hear a beep sound. Then you will be given about 30 seconds to record your response.
• Make sure you warp up your answer before the recording bar ends.
• As you know the test is a single-test session, you will be given a chance once only to record your response to the question.

1) PTE Speaking Read Aloud

The first item type for PTE, which marks the beginning of the scoring process.

• For this particular task, students will be given a text that can be up to 60 words long.
• They will be provided with 35–40 seconds (depending on the length of the prompt) to prepare how they will read the text aloud. After the preparation time is over, a short beep will sound, and the students will have 40 seconds to read the text out loud.
• A recording box will appear on the screen, which will activate the microphone after the countdown.
• It’s essential to note that students should only start speaking after the short tone, as their responses won’t be recorded before that.

How is PTE Speaking Read Aloud scored?

Before we go into tactics, it’s important to understand how the PTE Speaking Read Aloud segment is scored. Fluency, pronunciation, and oral content are all essential factors. Every correct word counts for your PTE score, so practice PTE speaking every word clearly. Consider the Following tactics that Scored in PTE speaking read aloud.

1] Content: The score for content is from 5. A candidate should not “add, skip, or replace any word” to score full in content.

2] Oral Fluency: Oral Fluency is a term used to describe the ability to speak smoothly and coherently without frequent hesitations, fumbling, or unnecessary pauses. Candidates are scored from:

3] Pronunciation: The pronunciation score ranges from 0 to 5, evaluating the clarity of speech.

How to address PTE Speaking Read Aloud?

To score well in the PTE Speaking Read Aloud section, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, you should focus on clear pronunciation, appropriate fluency (not too fast, not too slow), and accurate content. Here are a few additional tips to help you succeed in PTE speaking read loud:

• Take your time and don’t rush through the passage.
• Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end.
• You only get one chance to record your response, so make it count.
• Remember to pause at appropriate places, such as commas and full stops, even if it’s just for a fraction of a second.

2) PTE Repeat Sentence

• In this task, students are required to listen to a sentence recording and then repeat the same sentence.
• The audio will begin automatically and will be played only once. After the audio has ended, the microphone will open up for candidates to record their response.
• Students must keep their eyes on the screen throughout this question type as there is no beep sound after the audio is over.

How Are You Scored for Repeat Sentence?

1] Content = 3

• If a candidate speaks all the words from the audio in the correct order, they receive a score of 3 for content.
• If a candidate speaks 60-70% of the words from the audio in the correct order, they receive a score of 2.
• If a candidate speaks only 50-40% of the words from the audio in the correct order, they receive a score of 1.
• If a candidate includes almost no words from the audio, they receive a score of 0.

2] Oral Fluency = 5

3] Pronunciation = 5

Consider the following tips to get maximum scores in PTE Repeat Sentences:

• This item type does not have a beep sound so writing down anything might not work in our favor, as there are high chances of missing out on the recording if you are engrossed in writing the sentence.
• Once the audio clip starts you can close your eyes to memorize the sentence better and as soon as the clip ends, try to repeat the sentence as much as possible.
• Avoid false starting a sentence, and try to repeat everything in the same sequence as you heard in the audio to get higher scores.
• Even if you have made a mistake or replaced any word just do not pause or hesitate as this may disrupt your fluency resulting in low scores.
• If a sentence is a bit longer and you are unable to get through all the words, repeat exactly what you have heard fluently with confidence.

3) PTE Describe Image

• In this question, students will come across an image, which could be a map, bar graph, line chart, pie chart, random picture, table, or a Venn diagram (although this is rare).
• Their task is to describe the image to the best of their ability. Candidates will have 25 seconds to prepare and look at the image, and then they have 40 seconds to describe the entire image after the beep sound.
• It’s important to avoid speaking until the end, as the recording will cut you off on the 40th second, which could cut off your words and affect your score for content and fluency.

How to Address Describe Image in PTE?

• If possible, students should prepare their own template for Describe Image in PTE.
• Pick a few [minimum 8 keywords] and speak them as per the template.
• Make good use of preparation time and speak fluently and naturally.
• Do not speak too fast or too slow, also do not mumble or self-correct yourself.

The following template of Describe Image in PTE:

Scoring for Describe Image in PTE tasks:

1] Content = 5

2] Oral Fluency = 5

3] Pronunciation = 5

4) Re-tell lecture

• For this question, candidates are required to listen to a lecture and then retell it in their own words.
• While there may be a video playing alongside the audio, it’s important to focus only on the audio and take notes of important keywords.
• Begin taking notes as soon as the lecture starts. Once the audio ends, you will have 10 seconds to prepare before the 40-second time limit to retell the entire lecture begins.
• It’s important to avoid speaking until the end, as the recording will cut you off on the 40th second, which could cut off your words and affect your score for content and fluency.

Additional Tips for Re-tell lecture:

• Listen and take clear note of words, each word in a new line so that it becomes easy for you to speak in an organized way.
• Try using the shorthand method for taking notes and writing keywords or phrases.
• Try making your template and select a minimum of 8 keywords and speak according to the template.
• Do not speak too fast or too slow, also do not mumble or self-correct yourself.

The following PTE describe image template can be used as a reference:

How is the Re-tell lecture scored?

1] Content = 5

2] Oral Fluency = 5

3] Pronunciation = 5

5) Answer Short Questions

• For this task, you will need to listen to a question and provide a one-word or few-word answer.
•  You may give multiple answers, but only the correct one will be accepted by the computer. Incorrect answers will not be counted against you.
•  There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so feel free to provide any answer that comes to mind.

Additional tips:

• Don’t leave it unattempt
• Try to answer whatever comes to your mind
• Expose to such more answer short questions.

Scoring for Answer Short Question:

Vocabulary:

Score 1: Response includes appropriate word choice
Score 0: Inappropriate choice of words in response

Sample PTE Speaking Questions:

1] What is the opposite of a plus sign? A: minus sign

2] How many days are there in a leap year? A: 366 days

3] How many years are there in a decade? A: 10 years

4] In which direction does the sun come up? A: East

5] What do we call the piece of paper that proves you have bought an item? A: receipt

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