About Speaking Section
Speaking tests your ability to produce spoken English in an academic environment.
Speaking item type 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 are understandable to most regular speakers of the language.
Speaking item types are not timed individually. You can refer to the timer in the upper right-hand corner of the computer screen, "Section Time Remaining," which counts down the time remaining for the speaking section.
Speaking Question Types
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".
You are only able to record your response once.
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.
For this item type you need to repeat the sentence you hear.
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.
For this item type you need to re-tell what you heard.
The audio begins to play automatically. You may also see an image related to the audio. After the audio finishes, you have 10 seconds to prepare.
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.
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.
Tips & Tricks
Do not pause for too long when you answer the question
Use punctuation to help you decide where to pause when you read
Stress the words that carry important information
Focus on the main information in the image. Make good use of the 40 seconds speaking time
Organize your description of the image. Make good use of the image to predict the topic of the lecture
