The do’s and don’ts of the Describe Image question type in PTE Academic

Are you preparing to take PTE Academic?

Good news! We have added a new test preparation company to our existing list of providers. This will give you even more options and support in your test preparation.

Try E2Language with a free trial

E2Language is a global online tutorial and test preparation provider. They offer good quality practice services and materials for PTE Academic. E2Language offers online tuition through group and 1-1 learning, supported by a range of YouTube videos that share tips and advice. They offer a set of online preparation materials.

We are always looking to expand and enhance the services we offer our test takers and we believe the addition of E2Language helps us achieve this goal.

Give yourself the best chance of performing well on the day with E2Language – try for free.

How do we know automated scoring works

Are you thinking of taking PTE Academic, or have you recently taken it, but you are wondering how it is that a computer can mark your test?

Well, firstly the test has been designed by humans, all leading experts in their field. Our human experts design and write the questions, quality assure them, and then score them. At this point, computers are trained to use the patterns of highly trained language experts to attribute scores to questions. When the computer marks correlate highly with the human scores, we then allow the computer to mark test scripts from across the world.

As a result of our processes and technology, the computer behaves like an expert human examiner – but without any possible bias, lack of concentration, or variation between individual examiners.

The scoring criteria are exactly the same as human scoring – test takers are marked on their delivery, clarity, relevance, the accuracy of grammar, and appropriateness of vocabulary.

Want to hear more?

Take a couple of minutes and listen to one of our leading independent advisors, Dr. Alistair Van Moere, a member of Pearson’s Technical Advisory Group, as he explains how it all works.

If you have completed PTE Academic, you would know by now that it is scored against the Global Scale of English and that you need to practice many skills for each part of the test: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.

After completing PTE Academic you will receive an email notification that your results are available online. Typically within 2 days. Learn how to access your Score Report.

What does my Score Report mean?

When you receive your Score Report it will show you your overall score, which is based on your performance across all test items. Your communicative skills that are measured are listening, reading, speaking and writing.

This is an example of what your Score Report may look like.

The enabling skills are those skills that are required to fulfill the question types in the test. It’s important to know what each of these skills refers to.

Grammar

Correct use of language with respect to word form and word order at the sentence level.

Oral Fluency

Smooth, effortless and natural-paced delivery of speech.

Pronunciation

Production of speech sounds in a way that is easily understandable to most regular speakers of the language. Regional or national varieties of English pronunciation are considered correct to the degree that they are easily understandable to most regular speakers of the language.

Spelling

Writing of words according to the spelling rules of the language. All national variations are considered correct, but one spelling convention should be used consistently in a given response.

Vocabulary

Appropriate choice of words used to express meaning, as well as lexical range.

Written Discourse

Correct and communicatively efficient production of written language at a textual level. Written discourse skills are represented in the structure of a written text, its internal coherence, logical development, and the range of linguistic resources used to express meaning precisely.

How do I identify my areas of weakness?

From the visual graph on your Score Report, you will be able to see areas you need to improve on. You should aim to develop your core (enabling) skills required across all areas of the test.

The following resources will help you develop your enabling skills:

• Speaking: Core English Skills

• Writing: Core English Skills Part 1

• Writing: Core English Skills Part 2

• Reading: Core English Skills Part 1

• Reading: Core English Skills Part 2

• Listening: Core English Skills Part 1

• Listening: Core English Skills Part 2

• Listening: Core English Skills Part 3

How can I improve in each part of the test?

It’s also worth focusing on particular parts of the test or questions you think you had trouble with. The following articles may help you improve your skills across questions:

• Speaking: Self-Improvement Part 1

• Speaking: Self-Improvement Part 2

• Writing Self-Improvement

• Reading Self-Improvement

• Strategies to Improve English Listening Skills

• Listening Self-Improvement Part 1

• Listening Self-Improvement Part 2

If you don’t already have one, it’s recommended to work with an English teacher to work through areas that may need improvement.

Good luck!