The speaking skills tested in PTE Academic include the following:Speaking Skills

speaking for a purpose (to repeat, to inform, to explain) and pronunciations that are easily understandable to most of regular speakers

supporting an opinion with details, examples and explanations and correct inotations, stress and pronunciations

using words and phrases appropriate to the context and reading a text aloud and speaking at a natural rate

organizing an oral presentation in a logical way and speaking under timed conditions

developing complex ideas within a spoken discourse and using correct grammar and producing fluent speech

speaking at a natural rate and using correct sress and using correct pronunciation

About Speaking & Exam FormatSpeaking Details

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Exam Format

Exam Format Of Speaking

Overview of Speaking items

Speaking item types require you to respond orally using fluent speech, correct intonation, stress and pronunciation that are easily understandable to most regular speakers of the language. PTE Academic recognizes regional and national varieties of English pronunciation to the degree that they are understandable to most regular speakers of the language. Speaking item types are not timed individually.

Effective speaking, in both everyday and test situations, requires attention to the five areas listed below.

  • Organization
  • Listener's needs
  • Fluency and cohesion
  • Control of language
  • Appropriate intonation and stress patterns

Speaking Item types5 Item Types

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Read Aloud

Read Aloud is a long-answer speaking item type. It tests your ability to read a short text aloud using correct pronunciation and intonation. It assesses both speaking and reading skills. Your score on Read aloud is based on the three factors:

  • Content
  • Oral Fluency
  • Pronunciation

Read aloud is an integrated skills item type that tests both your speaking and reading skills in an academic environment.

Your listening and writing skills are not tested by this item type.

  • For this item type you need to read a written text aloud.
  • The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You have 30-40 seconds to prepare, depending on the length of the passage. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.
  • You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.
  • Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.

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Repeat Sentence

Repeat Sentence is a short-answer speaking item type. It tests your ability to understand and remember a sentence, and then repeat the sentence exactly as you hear it using correct pronunciation. It assesses both your speaking and listening skills.Your score on repeat sentence is based on the three factors:

  • Content
  • Oral Fluency
  • Pronunciation

Repeat Sentence is an integrated skills item type that tests both your listening and speaking skills in an academic environment.

  • For this item type you need to repeat the sentence you hear.
  • The audio begins to plays automatically. When the audio finishes, the microphone opens and the recording status box shows “Recording”. Speak into the microphone immediately (there is no short tone) and repeat exactly what you heard.
  • You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.
  • Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.
  • You are not able to replay the audio. You are only able to record your response once.

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Describe image

An image will be displayed that must be described. Organise all points which need to be said first before speaking out loud, as this will lead to a better score. An organised answer has a better chance of covering the main information and additional details; it will highlight implications and draw conclusions based on the information.Your score on Describe image is based on the three factors:

  • Content
  • Oral Fluency
  • Pronunciation

The type of image will vary by item. the image may be a graph, picture, map, chart or table.The type of the image will be stated in the instruction.

  • The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You have 25 seconds to study the image and prepare your response. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.
  • You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.
  • Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.
  • You are only able to record your response once.

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Re-tell lecture

Re-tell lecture is a long answer speaking item type.It tests your ability to give a presentation on information from a lecture on information from a lecture on an academic.It assesses both speaking and listening skills.The lecture may be accompanied by an image.Your score on Re-tell lecture is based on the three factors:

  • Content
  • Oral Fluency
  • Pronunciation

The type of image will vary by item. the image may be a graph, picture, map, chart or table.The type of the image will be stated in the instruction.

  • For this item type you need to re-tell what you heard.
  • The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.
  • You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.
  • Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’.
  • You are only able to record your response once.
  • Note: While the audio is playing, you can take notes on the erasable noteboard provided.

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Answer short question

Answer short question is a short-answer speaking item type with a single correct response.It tests your ability to understand a question presented in the recording, and provide a brief and accurate response.It assesses both speaking and listening skills.The question may also be accompanied by an image.Your response is scored as either correct or incorrect.No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response.

  • For this item type you need to reply to the question in one or a few words.
  • The audio begins to play automatically. You may also see an image.
  • When the audio finishes, the microphone opens and the recording status box shows “Recording”. Speak into the microphone immediately (there is no short tone) and answer the question with one or a few words.
  • You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.
  • Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.
  • You are not able to replay the audio. You are only able to record your response once.

Strategies For SpeakingStrategies

For example, in a formal situation such as attending a meeting with people you do not know well, introduce yourself by saying "How do you do?" or "Hello, how are you?"
Pay attention to other people's body language, including facial expressions and gestures.These will help you to determine what they are thinking and feeling.
Rehearse presentations so that you feel confident.Memorize your opening and closing sections to start and end fluently.Think of questions that you might be asked, and try answering the questions by speaking aloud to yourself.

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