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Master PTE Speaking with our 24 free mock tests covering Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Retell Lecture, and Answer Short Question. Improve your PTE speaking pronunciation, fluency, and vocabulary with instant AI feedback. Practice PTE speaking questions exactly like the real exam — unlimited access, completely free.
Start Free Speaking Practice Now →Done with a mock test? Perfect timing. Now's when these tips actually make sense. We've coached hundreds of students through PTE Speaking, and the patterns are clear – most people lose marks on the same handful of mistakes. Let's fix yours.
Here's something that surprises most test-takers: Speaking contributes to three different scores – Speaking, Reading, and Listening. That means your speaking performance affects roughly 40% of your entire PTE result. No pressure, right?
The good news? PTE Speaking is computer-marked, which means it's consistent and predictable. Once you understand what the algorithm is actually measuring, you can practice strategically instead of just hoping for the best.
You'll see a text on screen and have 30-40 seconds to prepare before recording. This one's huge – it affects both your Speaking AND Reading scores.
What most students get wrong: They rush. They stumble on a word and try to restart. They read in a flat monotone like they're bored out of their minds.
What actually works:
You hear a sentence once – just once – and then immediately repeat it. This is often where test scores are won or lost.
The challenge: Sentences can be up to 9 seconds long. That's a lot to hold in your head, especially when you're nervous.
What works in our experience:
Real talk: Some sentences are genuinely hard. The examiners know this. Getting 7 out of 10 perfect is still a strong result.
You see a graph, chart, map, or diagram. You get 25 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to describe it. Many students panic here, but there's a simple structure that works every time.
The structure we teach:
Don't try to describe everything. Pick the most obvious patterns and describe them clearly. The AI cares more about fluency and pronunciation than complete coverage.
You watch a short lecture (60-90 seconds) with an image, then have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to retell the main points.
Note-taking is everything here. You're allowed to use the erasable booklet, so use it. Jot down key words as you listen – speaker's opinion, main examples, any statistics mentioned.
Structure your response:
Don't try to quote the speaker word-for-word. Paraphrase in your own words – it's actually what the test expects.
You hear a question and give a one or two-word answer. Simple? Usually. But some questions are surprisingly tricky.
Examples: "What do you call a person who writes for newspapers?" → "Journalist" or "Reporter"
If you don't know the answer: Say the most logical guess and move on. Silence scores zero. A reasonable guess might score points, and it definitely won't hurt your other scores.
PTE Speaking is scored on three main criteria:
| Criteria | What It Measures | Common Mistakes |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | Word stress, individual sounds, accent intelligibility | Over-pronouncing, unnatural stress patterns |
| Fluency | Smooth delivery, natural pace, minimal hesitations | Long pauses, restarting sentences, filler words |
| Content | Accuracy of what you said (varies by question type) | Missing key words, tangential responses |
Here's what surprises people: You don't need a native accent to score 90. The AI is measuring whether you're understandable, not whether you sound British or American. Clear speech with your natural accent works fine – just avoid mumbling or speaking too fast.
We've seen these patterns hundreds of times:
Now that you understand how Speaking works, go back up and try another mock test. This time, focus on one specific thing – maybe fluency, maybe your Repeat Sentence technique. Improving everything at once doesn't work. Pick one weakness, fix it, then move to the next.