PTE Speaking Question Types Guide
Complete breakdown of Speaking formats, timing rules, speech scoring algorithms, and response strategies for Academic and Core PTE variants.
PTE Academic vs PTE Core Speaking Tasks
PTE Speaking is computer-administered via a microphone headset in a shared testing lab. Both Academic and Core evaluate **Oral Fluency** and **Pronunciation**. Following Pearson's August 2025 updates, PTE Academic includes academic lectures, group discussions, and situational tasks, whereas PTE Core focuses primarily on everyday scenario prompts such as **Respond to a Situation**.
- Read Aloud (6–7 items)
- Repeat Sentence (10–12 items)
- Describe Image (3–4 items)
- Retell Lecture (1–2 items)
- Answer Short Question (5–6 items)
- Read Aloud (6–7 items)
- Repeat Sentence (10–12 items)
- Describe Image (3–4 items)
- Respond to a Situation (2–4 items)
- Answer Short Question (5–6 items)
1. Read Aloud (Academic & Core)
Read a passage of up to 60 words aloud into the microphone. Prep time: 35–40s. Speaking time: ~40s.
Speak smoothly without pausing to self-correct. Self-correction triggers an immediate oral fluency deduction.
2. Repeat Sentence (Academic & Core)
Listen to a 3–9 second audio sentence and repeat it immediately. No prep time.
Chunk audio into Subject, Action, and Location. Never pause even if you forget a middle word.
3. Describe Image (Academic & Core)
Describe a bar chart, graph, or diagram displayed on screen. Prep time: 25s. Speaking time: 40s.
View 4-sentence Describe Image frameworkPractise PTE Speaking Formats Online
Record your responses under computer exam conditions and receive instant oral fluency feedback.
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