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

PTE Author
PTE Author
[Asset] Businesswomen working together
Reading time: 2 minutes

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.

Related Content

  • [Asset] Student studying on sofa
    Practice for PTE Academic with this mock-test plan!
    By PTE Author

    We have all been there; it’s normal to be full of nerves before a test, with uncertainty of what to expect, and doubts about how you’re going to perform. 

    However, whilst nerves and anticipation are an unavoidable part of the testing experience, there are ways to reduce this when preparing for your PTE test, so you can grow in confidence before test day and achieve your desired score.

    At PTE, we are all about doing it worry-free!  

    And to do it worry-free, you need to know what’s coming up and familiarise yourself with the PTE test.

    Here are 4 ways you can start your PTE preparation and get the practice in, so you are confident for when test day comes. 

    1. Familiarize yourself with the test and what’s expected:

    A great way to prepare is to know all about what you can expect on test day. We have lots of resources available on our Preparation page. We'd recommend that you explore this section of our site and gather any top tips that you can from our range of free resources, also known as our A-Z of PTE. This includes a run-through of each question type as well as a video of what to expect on test day, which you can also watch below on this page!

  • Image, international student, 800px
    How to book your PTE exam
    By PTE Author

    Are you booking PTE for the first time? Do you know which of our PTE tests is right for you? No worries, we will guide you through the booking process.

  • [Asset] Canada flag man running
    Choosing the right General English test: How PTE Core compares
    By PTE Author

    PTE Core, our brand new general English test, is approved by the Canadian Government (IRCC) for all economic visa categories, including citizenship and permanent residency.  

    Choosing the right English test for you is important. A core factor in your decision will be how the test meets the score requirements set by the IRCC.   

    We have carried out comprehensive research to ensure that PTE Core correlates to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). You can take a closer look in our alignment report (PDF, 833KB).

    However, there are many other things to consider when finding the best test for you. For example, how quickly you need to receive your results? Are you in a rush to take your test? Do you want your speaking skills to be assessed by a human examiner or not?  

    So, to make it easier for you to decide which test is right for you, we have put together a handy summary of how PTE Core compares to IELTS General and CELPIP.  

    Booking a test

    PTE Core is the fastest way to prove your English language skills. Book quickly, up to 24 hours in advance. There are frequent test dates and 475+ test centers around the world.