PTE Speaking Module
In the initial part of the exam, your Speaking and Writing abilities will undergo evaluation, taking up approximately 54-67 minutes. This assessment aims to gauge your English language proficiency within an academic context.Within the PTE exam, the speaking module will assess your proficiency in listening, speaking, and writing. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain the utmost focus while reading, listening, writing, and delivering responses to the presented questions.
Your speaking skills will be evaluated across five distinct categories of questions. These tasks vary from repeating provided sentences to responding to questions and summarizing passages that you have heard.The speaking segment of the test commences with a Personal Introduction, where you are expected to introduce yourself. However, it’s important to note that this part is not taken into consideration for scoring.
A significant alert: Ensure your response is recorded before the “progress bar” reaches its conclusion. A silence lasting more than three seconds will result in an automatic recording stoppage, leading to a deduction of points.
Session Overview
Items |
Task |
Number of Items |
Prompt length |
Scoring |
Skills assessed |
Time to answer |
Read aloud |
You need to read aloud the text there on the screen. |
6 – 7 |
text up to 60 |
Partial |
reading and |
vary |
Repeat |
After listening to the sentence played, you need to |
10 – 12 |
3 – 9 seconds |
Partial |
listening and |
15 seconds |
Describe |
You need to describe an image that is displayed. |
3 – 4 |
N/A |
Partial |
speaking |
40 seconds |
Re-tell lecture |
You need to memorize what all is told in the lecture. |
1 – 2 |
up to 90 |
Partial |
listening and |
40 seconds |
Answer short |
You need to answer the question in one word or |
5 – 6 |
3-9 seconds |
Correct / |
listening and |
10 seconds |
Personal Introduction
This opportunity allows you to provide selected institutions with some information about yourself. It’s important to note that this particular task does not carry a score.
When should you start?
There will be a countdown before the mic turns on. You’ll have 25 seconds to prepare. After the beep, start speaking about yourself.
A few important points to remember:
Wait for the mic to activate before speaking. Speak clearly at a steady pace, as you only get one chance. Finish before the progress bar ends and it changes from “Recording” to “Completed.”
Here’s the recommended approach:
Speak calmly and clearly without rushing you have 30 seconds. Finish your introduction before the progress bar ends, when “Recording” changes to “Completed.”
Read Aloud
When should you commence?
The countdown appears in the recording box for 30–40 seconds to prepare. After the beep, start speaking immediately.
A critical reminder:
Wait for the mic to activate before speaking. Speak clearly without rushing. You only get one attempt. Finish before the progress bar ends when “Recording” changes to “Completed.”
Learn More
A critical reminder:
- Maintain clarity in your speech and refrain from rushing.
- Keep in mind that you only have one opportunity to record your response.
- Ensure your speaking is completed before the progress bar reaches its conclusion; at that point, ‘Recording’ will transition to ‘Completed.’
A critical reminder:
Wait for the mic to activate before speaking. Speak clearly without rushing. You only get one attempt. Finish before the progress bar ends when “Recording” changes to “Completed.”
Repeat sentence
What is it?
When should you start?
Learn More
Here’s the recommended approach:
- Maintain clarity in your speech and refrain from rushing.
- Keep in mind that you only have one opportunity to record your response.
- Ensure your speaking is completed before the progress bar reaches its conclusion; at that point, ‘Recording’ will transition to ‘Completed.’
Here’s the recommended approach:
- Maintain a calm and clear speaking manner.
- You don’t need to rush; you have half a minute to record your response.
- Ensure you conclude your introduction before the progress bar reaches its end, at which point ‘Recording’ will become ‘Completed.’
Describe image
What is it?
Your task is to provide a description of an image displayed on your screen.
When should you start?
You’ll have 25 seconds to examine the image and prepare your content. Once these 25 seconds elapse, a short tone or beep will signal the beginning of the speaking phase. Start speaking immediately.
Learn More
Here’s the recommended approach:
- Do not initiate your description before hearing the tone/beep to ensure your voice is recorded.
- Maintain clear speech and avoid rushing; there’s no need to hurry.
- Ensure you conclude your description before the progress bar reaches its end, at which point ‘Recording’ changes to ‘Completed.’
A crucial alert:
- Unlike other tasks, there is no tone or beep before you can begin speaking, so wait for it.
Scoring: Partial credit
How is your performance evaluated? Assessment criteria include speaking, oral fluency, pronunciation, and content quality.
Here’s a suggested method:
- Avoid hesitation and refrain from using filler words like ‘hhmm’ or ‘a….’
- Emphasize fluency, as it is more vital than providing a detailed description of every aspect of the image. If the image contains extensive data, focus on highlighting the most important elements.
Re-tell lecture
What is it?
As indicated, your task is to re-tell an academic lecture in your own words. You will listen to the lecture in an audio clip and then provide your rendition of it.
When should you start?
The lecture will commence automatically. Occasionally, it may be accompanied by an image to aid comprehension. Once the audio clip concludes, you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare. After this brief preparation time, a short tone or beep will signal you to start speaking immediately.
Learn More
Here’s an important reminder:
– Do not commence speaking before you hear the sound or beep, as your voice won’t be recorded.
– Maintain clear and deliberate speech; there’s no need to rush to complete the lecture.
Scoring: Partial credit
How is your performance assessed? Evaluation criteria encompass listening, speaking, oral fluency, pronunciation, and the quality of your content.
Here’s a recommended approach:
How is your performance evaluated? Assessment criteria include speaking, oral fluency, pronunciation, and content quality.
Here’s a suggested method:
– It’s advisable to jot down keywords or phrases on the provided notepad. These notes will aid in recalling the lecture and presenting it in your own words.
Answer short question
In this task, you are required to respond to a question with either one word or a brief phrase. These questions typically pertain to everyday life.
When should you start?
The audio clip will automatically begin playing. Occasionally, this task may include an accompanying image. After the clip concludes, the microphone activates to record your response. The status box will display ‘Recording,’ which will change to ‘Completed’ once you finish.
Learn More
A crucial note:
- Unlike other tasks, there won’t be a short tone or beep to signal the start of your response.
- Keep your answer concise, using just one word or a few words; there’s no need to elaborate.
Scoring: Partial credit
How is your performance assessed? Evaluation criteria encompass listening, speaking, oral fluency, pronunciation, and the quality of your content.
Here’s a recommended approach:
How is your performance evaluated? Assessment criteria include speaking, oral fluency, pronunciation, and content quality.
Here’s a suggested method:
– It’s advisable to jot down keywords or phrases on the provided notepad. These notes will aid in recalling the lecture and presenting it in your own words.
Answer short question
In this task, you are required to respond to a question with either one word or a brief phrase. These questions typically pertain to everyday life.
When should you start?
The audio clip will automatically begin playing. Occasionally, this task may include an accompanying image. After the clip concludes, the microphone activates to record your response. The status box will display ‘Recording,’ which will change to ‘Completed’ once you finish.
A crucial note:
- Unlike other tasks, there won’t be a short tone or beep to signal the start of your response.
- Keep your answer concise, using just one word or a few words; there’s no need to elaborate.
Scoring: Either correct or incorrect
How is your performance assessed? Evaluation criteria include listening, speaking, and your vocabulary usage.
