The Different Parts in the PTE Speaking Test

Hello!

This post will take you through the different parts in the Speaking Test.

Speaking: 1) Personal introduction

In the personal introduction section, a candidate must provide some information about oneself. Twenty five seconds is the time allowed to read the prompt and prepare for the response, post which thirty seconds will be available to record the response. This matter is not evaluated but sent with the score report to the institutions selected by the candidate. Only a single time recording is allowed.

Speaking: 2) Reading aloud

Task: A text that will appear on the screen and is to be read aloud
Skills assessed: Listening and speaking.
Prompt Length: The text is up to 60 words.
Answering time: Each text differs depending on the length of the text.

A written text must be read aloud

A countdown will be displayed in the recording status box until a microphone opens. There will be 30-40 seconds to prepare, depending on the length of the passage. After a short tone, the candidate must start reading immediately. Reading before the microphone opens will result in the voice not being recorded. Speech must be clear and paced. The speech must be over before the progress bar reaches the end and the word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.

Only a single time recording is allowed.

TIP: Pausing longer than 3 seconds, will stop the recording.

Test tips

• Punctuation must be used to pause while reading.
• In the 30-40 seconds before the recording starts, the text can be arranged to suit the requirements, like altering the intonation.
• Appropriate pauses are to be used for fluent reading and for conveying the full meaning of the text.
• The words carrying important information must be highlighted:

While reading the text, the meaningful words must be emphasized, by reading them in a slightly louder voice and taking into account the key syllables. Intonation patterns to portray idea linkages are essential.

Speaking: 3) Repeat sentence

Task: The sentence must be repeated after listening to the recording of the sentence.
Skills assessed: Listening and Speaking
Prompt Length: The text is generally of 3-9 seconds
Answering time: 15 seconds is the time available to answer

Listen and repeat 
After listening, one has to repeat the sentence. An audio is played and at the end of it a microphone is displayed showing the recording status box as “Recording”. The candidate will be required to speak into the microphone immediately and exactly what has been heard. The candidate must speak clearly with the required pacing. The speech must be over before the progress bar reaches the end and the word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.
Only a single time recording is allowed

Tips

• Phrasing of the sentence must be read aloud as per sequence.
• Candidates will score on the correct word sequence from the recording.
• Listen for meaningful phrases for a better chance of repeating.

The emphasis and intonation patterns must be replicated after hearing.

A mental note can be made regarding the pattern of speech by the speaker, which helps one to convey the meaning. Speech must be calm and clear, replicating the emphasis and intonation.

Speaking: 4) Describe Image

Task: An image that appears on the screen must be described in detail.
Skills assessed: Speaking.
Prompt Length: Not applicable
Answering time:  40 seconds

Describing an image

An image appears for 25 seconds followed by a short tone, after which the candidate must start speaking immediately. Speaking before the microphone icon opens up will not result in any recording. Speech must be clear and paced. The speech must be over before the word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’.

Only a single time recording is allowed

Test tips

• Focus on the main information in the image.
• The main idea shown in the image must be inferred by observing the image.
• Next, the details relating to the main idea must be noted.
• Erasable note board booklet to note down ideas will be helpful.
• These can be formulated into a sentence while speaking.

Speaking: 5) Re-tell lecture

Task: The lecture must be retold in the candidate’s version after listening or watching the same.
Skills assessed: Listening and Speaking
Prompt Length: Upto 90 seconds
Answering time: 40 seconds

Audio must be retold after hearing:
Once the audio is played, an image related to the audio is displayed. With a gap of 10 seconds (preparation time), after a short beep, the candidate must start speaking. Any speech made before that will not be recorded. Speech must be clear and paced. The speech must be over before the word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’.

Only a single time recording is allowed.

Note: While the audio is playing, candidates can take notes on an erasable note board that will be provided.

Test tips

• The image must be used to predict the topic of the lecture.
• Three seconds will be offered to view the image, before listening to the recorded lecture.
• The time must be utilized to prepare vocabulary to be used.
• Idea can be sought and some predictions about the audio recording can be made, about the topic of the lecture.

Speaking: 6) Answer short questions

Task: Answers to be given in a single or a few words, after listening to the question.
Skills assessed: Listening and Speaking.
Prompt Length: 3 to 9 seconds.
Answering time: 10 seconds
Replies must be in one or a few words

Once the audio begins, an image is displayed. After completion of the audio, a microphone appears and the recording begins. The candidate must start speaking immediately (there is no short tone) and answer the question with one or a few words. The speech must be clear and paced.

The speech must be over before the word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’. Only a single time recording will be allowed.

Test tips

• Pauses must be minimal while answering the question
• After a short question the recording begins
• Answer must begin as soon as the recording box is displayed
• Pausing more than 3 seconds will stop the recording, changing the display status to completed, which means the candidate has lost the chance to answer the question.
• Long answers are not advisable
• Marks will be awarded for short answers. There are no extra marks for additional words.

The instructions on how to answer the question will be displayed in the following manner:

At Hurray, our team of experienced trainers and researchers strive their best to help PTE test aspirants with the required guidance, practice sessions and lend a sense of ease through the entire process of the Speaking test.