Speaking: Core English Skills

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image- Study group - 800px
Reading time: 3 minutes

In Part 1 of the PTE Academic test, you require certain skills to answer the questions within the test to the best of your ability.

We’ve put together some tips and advice on how to practice and improve your core skills.

Oral Fluency

Oral fluency applies to the Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture question types.

To improve your oral fluency before your test, we recommend that you speak English as often as you can. If you don’t have anyone you can speak English with, join an English-speaking club or take a short course.

As soon as you’ve booked the test, we suggest that you try to read, listen and write in English as much as you can.

If you’re having trouble with speaking too slow or too fast, record yourself and listen back to identify where you need to improve.

You can also use Tiny Texts to help improve your speaking. Read the text silently to yourself, then listen to a recording while you read and have a try afterward to read at a similar pace.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation skills are required for the Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture question types.

In PTE Academic you do not have to speak like a fluent speaker of English to do well. However, you do need to use a pronunciation that can be understood by a regular speaker of English.

This means you need to make sure your vowel and consonant sounds are pronounced in a fluent-like way with the correct words. You also need to use the correct sentence stress to convey meaning.

Luckily, there are many online tools that can help with your pronunciation, such as:

Vocabulary

The only question type in the speaking section that will require strong vocabulary skills is Answer Short Question.

The easiest way to improve your vocabulary is to keep a vocabulary notebook to use as your own personal dictionary. When you hear or see new words, add them along with the meaning and put them in a sentence.

Want more prep ideas?

Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

  • Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

  • It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

  • Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

Ready to get started?

Related Content

  • [Asset] Girl looking out over cityscape background
    Convenience matters: how to pick an English test that works for you
    By PTE Author

    When your schedule is packed and deadlines are approaching, choosing an English test that works around your life can make all the difference. You need a test that fits your timeline without creating extra admin, travel, or waiting around.

    A convenient English test isn’t just “short.” It’s a test you can book quickly, take in a way that suits your life, and get results fast while still meeting the requirements of your university, employer, or visa pathway. PTE is designed around that real-world need: fast, fair, and simple.

    Five practical questions to guide your choice

    Before you book, ask yourself:

    1. Will my score be accepted where I want to apply?

    2. How easy is it to book a test date that works for me?

    3. Can I take the test in a location that fits my life?

    4. Is the test design simple and intuitive?

    5. How long will I wait for results?

    Use these questions to compare your options and choose a test that fits your timeline, not one that forces you to change it.

  • Higher-Education-Students-in-the-UK
    New DHA visa requirements for PTE Academic
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    The Australian Department for Home Affairs (DHA) recently updated their score requirements for all accepted tests of language proficiency. The new score requirements take effect from 7 August 2025.

    What are the new score requirements? 

    From 7 August, anyone who takes the test for DHA visa purposes will need to meet updated score requirements.

    The table below shows the old and new score requirements for each score.

    We have also created a more accessible version of this table at the end of this article.

  • PTE changes 2025: everything you need to know
    By PTE Author

    We’ve made a few updates to the PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI tests. To make sure you’ve got the facts, we’ve created a short video that walks you through everything you need to know.

    Hosted by Jarrad, one of our product managers, this video covers what’s being updated, what’s staying the same, and how it all benefits you as a test taker.

    What’s covered in the video? 

    • The original 20 question types are still in the test.

    • We are adding two new speaking question types to give you even more chance to demonstrate your skills.  

    • Tips on how to prepare for the new speaking question types.

    • There are no changes to pricing, ID requirements, or score delivery time.

    • There are no changes to the way the test is taken (including the Speaking section).