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PTE Speaking Tips and Tricks 2024: Describe Image, Read Aloud and More

PTE Speaking Tips and Tricks 2024: Describe Image, Read Aloud and More

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Sep 07, 2024 11:08 AM IST | #PTE Academic

The PTE exam is one of the renowned and reputed exams for checking a candidate's eligibility to study, work, and live in English-speaking countries. PTE speaking tips will help aspirants to score high in PTE, a score of 80+ proves that the candidate is well-versed in English language skills and can easily adjust to a new English-speaking environment. Also, scoring a good PTE score helps the candidate in achieving admission to a reputed university, and PTE exam scores are now accepted in more than 35000 universities across the globe.

The PTE exam evaluates the candidate in all four modules of the English language i.e. Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Moving to how a student or a working professional can gain a high PTE score of 80+, we shall understand each module of the PTE exam, and now let's read on how to score PTE 80+ in the PTE exam speaking module. The PTE speaking test is an important module of the PTE examination. PTE speaking tips are necessary for the upskilling of the candidates. In this article, various PTE speaking tips are discussed in detail.

What to Expect in the PTE Speaking Test

The speaking module or the PTE speaking section evaluates the candidates on pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary of the candidate. Always remember that the PTE exam evaluation of scores is done in an integrated manner and you are evaluated on all four language modules. In the speaking section of the PTE exam, you should prepare yourself to speak fast with correct pronunciation, basically having good reading skills with a louder and clearer tone along with focused listening habits. To have a clear view of what to expect and how to excel in the PTE exam speaking section, understanding the PTE speaking exam structure plays a vital role. PTE speaking tips mentioned in the article will help you to score well.

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Top 5 PTE Speaking Tips

The PTE exam speaking section is one of the most scoring sections and there are many students who have easily scored a PTE speaking 85+ score by just following the strategies and practising on the PTE online portals. Some of the effective PTE speaking tips are as follows:

Speak Confidently

Confidence is the key in all sections and question types of the PTE exam. PTE preparation for PTE exam 2024 will closely evaluate your confidence in English and how well you can use the language. Practice all the question types by login into the PTE online portals so that you are confident in handling all types of PTE exam questions.

Avoid Repetition and Fillers

Always remember that you should never use fillers like hmm,aa, uuu while you speak, instead take a 2-second pause and speak correctly with proper pronunciation and fluency. You will be scored low if you use fillers or even repeat a lot of words.

Record and Listen to your Voice

The best way to practice speaking section of the PTE exam is to record and listen to your own voice so that you are able to self-correct your pronunciation and analyze the tone in a perfect manner.

Use Good Vocabulary and Varied Sentence Structures

Using cohesive words like Additionally, however, furthermore, moreover, and sequential words like firstly, secondly, then, also, and finally will add the score for both vocabulary and grammar. Practice using a mix of both simple and complex sentences to gain scores in content and general linguistic ability. Avoid too long sentences.

Do Not Panic

Remember patience is the key to success in the PTE exam. Patience in PTE exam preparation by using PTE preparation strategies will lead you to the road of success and you will score 85+ in your main PTE exam.

PTE Speaking Format 2024

The PTE speaking exam structure is very simple and has different question types that are assessed and evaluated in an integrated manner. The various types of PTE speaking questions are given below.

PTE Speaking Format

Section

Task Type

No. Of Questions

Time Allowed

Section 1

Personal Introduction

1

1 minute

Section 2

Read Aloud

6-7

30 -35 minutes

Repeat Sentence

10-12

Describe Image

3-4

Re-Tell Lecture

1-2

Answer Short Questions

5-6

Now let's read in detail on how to score high in the PTE speaking section.

PTE Personal Introduction

Personal Introduction is one of the most important parts of the PTE exam, the recording of this introduction is also checked by some of the universities. Some important tips on introducing yourself in the PTE exam are as follows:

  • Read the given instructions in 30 seconds and be mindful of the beep sound.

  • Introduce yourself starting with your name and what you aspire to study.

  • You get the chance to record only once so finish recording before the progress bar reaches the end.

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PTE Read Aloud

This is a long-answer speaking task that tests reading and speaking skills. You have to read aloud a short text, with correct pronunciation and intonation.

The top 7 strategies to score high in the PTE Speaking section- Read-aloud questions are as follows:

  • Use the 40 seconds before the microphone opens to skim the text and understand the topic.

  • Use punctuation and grammar to identify where pauses will be needed between meaning groups.

  • Identify any word that is unknown to you, and quickly think of the way to pronounce it by using the syllable rule, in case you find it very difficult, remember to skip the word and read the other text fluently.

  • If you make a mistake, correct it and continue. Do not start reading from starting.

  • Click on the next, when you are ready to go on the next task.

  • Remember that you will score higher if your fluency shows a natural rhythm, which is given by chunking and stress.

  • Practice rising intonation in the lists and falling intonation at the end of the sentence.

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PTE Repeat Sentence

This is a short-answer speaking task type that tests listening and speaking skills. You have to repeat a sentence that you hear, with correct pronunciation. Let us discuss a few repeat sentence tips and tricks in the PTE speaking test.

The top 7 strategies for the PTE exam high score of 80+ in the repeat sentence question of the PTE exam are as follows:

  • Listen to the way the speaker groups the words into meaningful phrases, e.g. such as cost and function, the design of a bridge.

  • Speak loud and as clearly as possible, if your tone or voice is low, your words might not get recognition.

  • Your score will be improved if you produce correct word sequences including phrasal verbs such as switch off.

  • Remember that there is no tone before the microphone opens in this task, so start to speak as soon as the status box changes to Recording.

  • Always remember that the pace of the sentence is going to be fast and you need to imitate the same, do not end up writing the sentence as you will miss the middle part or the end part of the sentence, just listening carefully will help.

  • Check the scoring parameters, you will score 3 points for accuracy,5 for speaking, and 3 for pronunciation.

  • You might hear different accents, don't copy that, you should stay as natural as possible.

PTE Describe the Image

This is a long-answer speaking task type that tests speaking skills. You have 40 seconds to describe the information in a graph, chart, map, picture or table.

Some of the effective strategies of the PTE exam speaking section- Describe image question type are as follows:

  • Look carefully at the image and analyze the main features, trends, and names of the features or variables in the labels. Think of the information that the image gives and what can be concluded from it.

  • Make notes of the main points on your erasable noteboard booklet and decide the order in which you will describe the image.

  • Do not forget to use cohesive words and sequential words like additionally, firstly, secondly, finally or to conclude.

  • Try to use all the words given in the picture in your speech.

  • Do not start and stop too many times.

  • Avoid fillers and fumbles.

  • Do not miss important elements of the figure.

PTE Retell Lecture

This is a long-answer speaking task type that tests both listening and speaking skills. You have to re-tell in your own words the information you hear in a 60-90 second lecture. Now let us discuss more about the retell lecture PTE tips and tricks.

The top strategies of the PTE exam speaking section - Re-tell lecture Question type is as follows:

  • Develop your own technique for quick and fast note-making. Decide your own abbreviations and symbols and practice using them so that you are in a habit of using them.

  • Practice starting your sentence by introducing the topic the speaker speaks about.

  • Before the recording begins, look at the image to help you anticipate the topic of the lecture.

  • Do not forget to use cohesive devices and sequential words.

  • Remember that you will be evaluated on content, pronunciation and fluency with 5 points each.

PTE Answer Short Question

This is a short-answer speaking task type that tests listening and speaking skills. You have to respond to a short question in one or a few words.

Some of the effective PTE exam speaking sections- Answer short question types are as follows:

  • Start your answer as soon as the recording status box changes to Recording. If you wait for longer than 3 seconds, you will lose your opportunity to answer.

  • Follow the instructions and only give a short answer. For example: if the answer is circle, then circle, a circle, the circle - all will be marked correct.

  • Listen carefully to the whole question.

  • Focus on the question word- who, what, how. This will help you guess the answer.

How to Practice for the PTE Speaking Test

To practice effectively for the PTE exam, you may use the Pearsons website PTE portal and practice the question types. Also, many other web portals use computer-based PTE online portals which are effective for practice. Two famous ones are alfaPTE and Pteskills.

In case you still face issues, we recommend that you take individualized PTE online training from a PTE expert trainer.

Common PTE Speaking Mistakes and Methods to Fix Them

Some of the common PTE exam mistakes that students make and the way they can be fixed are:

  • Using too many fillers- students must gain confidence in language by doing effective PTE preparation online from authenticated web portals.

  • In your speaking section- in case you are not familiar with a word in the read-aloud question, miss the word and keep speaking fluently. Remember that this way you will still get good scores in fluency and pronunciation.

  • Do not make notes in the Repeat sentence type of question, instead, just focus on the way the speaker uses the group of words.

  • Make notes while Re-tell the lecture, and develop the style of making notes using your own short forms.

How is PTE Speaking Scored?

The PTE speaking section is scored in an integrated manner.

So, they are scored as follows:

Question Type

Range of Questions

Points Per Question

Total

Read- Aloud

6-7

15

90-105

Repeat sentence

10-12

13

130-156

Describe Image

3-4

15

45-60

Re-Tell Lecture

1-2

15

15-30

Answer Short Question

5-6

1

5-6

Total

25-31


285-375

Speaking score= points scored by student × 90/ Total points.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to improve speaking in PTE?

You can surely improve your PTE speaking scores by practicing English language skills and taking care of the scoring parameters like pronunciation, fluency, and content accuracy.

2. What is extended speaking in PTE?

Scoring 70+ in the PTE exam is absolutely easy if you practice all the question types in a dedicated manner by following all the PTE preparation tips and strategies mentioned in our article.

3. How can I practice speaking in PTE?

You can practice speaking in PTE exam by using PTE online portals available on various authenticated websites and also the main Pearson website. You may also refer to some of the books published by the PTE exam body.

4. Is PTE speaking hard?

The PTE speaking section is not at all difficult if you familiarise yourself with the PTE exam format and the PTE exam scoring parameter. You should practice well and you will surely excel in the PTE exam.

5. How to get 90 in PTE speaking?

There are a few tips below that can help you get 90 in PTE speaking:

1) You should focus on your clear pronunciation and intonation.

2) You should work on your vocabulary,

3) You should listen to English recordings. 

4) Try to repeat the same sentences which you can hear.

5) You should manage your time wisely.

6) Analyze your errors and start working on those errors.

6. How to practice for the PTE speaking test?

1) You should practice English speaking daily. Try to speak as much English as you can in your daily routine.
2) You should record your voice while speaking on different topics. Listen to the recordings to identify areas where you can improve.
3) You should practice mock tests of different types of speaking tasks. It will help you get used to the format of the test.

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