Choosing the right General English test: How PTE Core compares

The "Describe Image" task in the PTE Academic can be challenging, but we are here to help you prepare. Here are some key do's and don'ts: 

What to do 

1. Use your preparation time wisely 

• Before the recording starts, use your preparation time to identify the key trends and the most significant trend in the image. This will help you focus your response on the most important aspects. 

2. Speak for 30-40 seconds 

• Aim to speak for 30-40 seconds. This duration is ideal for covering the key features without rushing or running out of time.

3. Incorporate numbers 

• Use numbers from the image in your spoken response. Mentioning specific data points can make your description more precise.

What not to do 

1. Avoid memorized responses 

• Do not use memorized responses or templated sentences. Such responses can lead to a score of 0 for content. If this happens, your fluency and pronunciation will not be scored either. 

2. Don't try to mention every feature 

• Focus on the key features of the image. Prioritize the most significant trends and data points within the 40 seconds. 

3. Don't spend too much time on labels

• While it's important to mention labels, don't spend too much time describing them. Instead, focus on the trends and data they represent. 

4. Avoid adding personal opinions

• Stick to describing the elements you can see in the image.  

By following these do’s and don’ts, you can tackle the "Describe Image" task in the PTE Academic test with confidence.    Need more help preparing for PTE Academic? Visit our PTE Academic Preparation page.

Want to explore the other PTE Academic question types? Check out our PTE Academic Question Bank for over 300 sample questions with model answers.

Whether you’re looking to create a new life down under or make your own American dream a reality, one of the first hurdles is proving you’ve got the right English language skills.  

English proficiency exams cover listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and it will come as no surprise that it’s the speaking part of the test that people worry the most about.  

With PTE there is no face-to-face speaking test to stress about, taking away the concerns around what to wear and whether you will get on with your examiner. Also remember that PTE’s automated scoring technology is trained to understand over 120 different accents so that is one less thing to worry about.  

However, it is still daunting, which is why we’ve put together some tried and tested top tips to help you feel confident for the speaking section of PTE.  

What to expect in the PTE speaking section

Learning what to expect from each section of the test can help ease anxieties and allow you to prepare properly. PTE is made up of three sections:

1. Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes) 

2. Reading (30 minutes) 

3. Listening (30 minutes) 

 The Speaking & Writing section is then split into 8 tasks: 

1. Personal introduction  

2. Read aloud 

3. Repeat sentence 

4. Describe image  

5. Re-tell lecture 

6. Answer short question  

7. Summarise written text 

8. Essay  

For more information on specific instructions for each task, you can review the test format and scoring criteria.

Building your English-speaking confidence

Feeling confident speaking English takes time and patience. Here are four ways to help you feel prepared for the PTE speaking section.

1. Complete short practice activities every day 

When something feels new and unfamiliar it can be stressful. Build your familiarity and comfort levels by setting aside time each day to complete short practice activities. It’ll help you learn what to expect from each task, keeping you calm and giving you more time to focus on providing a clear answer on test day.  

2. Immerse yourself in English  

Surrounding yourself with English-speaking TV shows, audiobooks, and podcasts is a fantastic way to build your vocabulary and practice your listening skills on a daily basis. The more you listen to English, the more you familiarize yourself with the language. You may also find yourself picking up new vocab and phrases that come in handy on test day. To take your speaking and listening skills to the next level, find a range of shows with different accents — American, British, Australian — to really tune into the English language.  

3. Find a language exchange partner  

Having conversations in English is one of the best ways to hone your language skills and build your speaking confidence. Look online to find a language tandem or see if there are partnership opportunities in your local area to help you get that real-life “I did it” confidence of being understood and connecting in another language. 

4. Use speech recognition technology 

If you’re struggling to find a language partner, look for language-learning apps like Mondly by Pearson that use technology to practise speaking and pronunciation. Some people actually find it easier talking to a computer rather than having the pressure of a real human, so it can be a great way to build confidence if you’re feeling nervous about speaking up.

There’s no need to pick just one of these ways — try out several to see which works best for you or combine multiple ways of practicing to make sure you’re at your confident best on test day.  

Tips for during the speaking section   

You’ve done all your preparation, you’re feeling confident, now you’re in the test center ready to show everyone what you can do.

Here’s how to make sure that practise shines through during the speaking exam:  

• Utilize spare time  

During the test, make use of the few seconds before each recording begins to properly read the material and mentally prepare your answer.

• Pay attention to punctuation

Punctuation helps you decide where to pause and change your intonation. Good pausing techniques can help you read more fluently and give more meaning to the text.  

• Stress the important words 

Add more emphasis to the words you think are important. Try to copy the tone and intonation of recordings to replicate the patterns of the sentences you hear.   

• Listen to the phrasing  

Pinpoint the most meaningful parts of the sentence and remember those phrases. You’ll be scored on correct word sequences, so remembering words as phrases will help you.  

• Don’t rush 

Remember to stay calm, speak clearly and try not to rush to make sure that your recording showcases the very best of your speaking ability.

Take advantage of our preparation resources 

We want PTE to be the worry-free way to start your new chapter. That’s why we offer a range of preparation preparation packages, which include a mixture of Scored Practice Tests, our Question Bank and our Official Guide to PTE Academic.

You can also make the most of our free resources, including our Taster Test, which offers five questions in five minutes with instant feedback. For those who are juggling priorities, our free Practice App is perfect for preparing on the go.  

Looking for more PTE tips? Take a look at our guides on what to expect on test day and how to prepare for PTE Academic.

With the right approach, you can answer the “Retell Lecture” question type in PTE Academic with confidence. Here are some essential tips to help you prepare: 

Dos 

1. Take effective notes 

• As you listen, jot down key words and phrases. Use punctuation like ‘-, =, &, +, arrows’ and bullet points to show connections between ideas. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all important points. 

2. Highlight key points and relationships 

• Discuss the main points, but also include characters, actions, aspects, and relationships between the information. This will make your response more comprehensive.

3. Speak for up to 40 seconds 

• Aim to speak for up to 40 seconds. The longer you speak, the more likely you are to cover the content requirements for this question. Ensure your response is detailed and covers all necessary aspects. 

4. Use linking words and relative clauses 

• Incorporate linking words (so, then) and relative clauses (which, who, that) to connect your ideas and show relationships between them. This will make your response more fluid. 

Don'ts 

1. Avoid memorized responses 

• Do not use memorized responses or templated sentences. If there is a significant amount of pre-memorized content, a score of 0 will be given, and fluency and pronunciation will not be scored. 

2. Don't just mention key words

• Avoid mentioning key words from the lecture (e.g., recipe, food, cook) in a disconnected way. You need to describe characters, aspects, actions, and their relationships to provide a coherent response. 

3. Don't try to mention everything 

• It won’t be possible to mention everything the lecture covered in 40 seconds. Focus on the most important points to provide a concise and relevant summary. 

4. Avoid filler words 

• Do not add filler words that do not connect to the lecture. Stick to the content of the lecture to ensure your response is relevant and focused. 

Need more advice? We have lots of official resources to help you prepare, including the chance to take a mock test with our scored practice tests. Visit our PTE Academic Preparation page to find out more.