PTE Speaking and Writing

PTE Speaking and Writing test will mostly focus on assessing your Speaking and Writing Skills but as PTE is an integrated test, it will also assess your Reading and Listening skills. This means that while answering questions for this section of the test, the test taker or students will also be assessed on reading and listening skills as well as marked on it.

PTE Speaking and Writing is the first and the most time-consuming section of the PTE Test.  PTE Reading consist of 5 different question types and PTE Listening consists of 8. PTE Speaking and Writing contains 7 different question types to assess your speaking and writing skills and to mark you based on them. Although this test begins with Personal Introduction, this part of the test will not be marked.

This blog will discuss all the question types of Speaking and Writing skills along with scoring, and preparation for PTE Speaking and Writing. This blog also provides key information that you need to study and focus on to score a good result in Pte.

Test Duration: 54-67 minutes

Speaking and Writing are different skills but they will be conducted at once in PTE Speaking and Writing within 54-60 minutes. Each question of the test will be timed separately and the test taker must finish their task within the time frame they are given.

Test format:

The test format for PTE speaking and writing are given below:

1. Personal Introduction

Personal Introduction, although it is the first task in your PTE Speaking and Writing, this item is not scored. This is an opportunity for the test takers or students to introduce and give information about themselves based on the prompt presented by PTE.

The test taker will have 25 seconds to read the prompt and will be given 30 seconds to record the response to the prompt. You only get to record your response Once. Although this item is not scored, PTE will send your response to the Universities/ Institutions you chose along with your PTE scores.

2. Read Aloud

Read Aloud is the first question type in PTE Speaking and Writing that is scored. PTE Read Aloud is one of the highest-scoring question types in the entire test and thus is one of the most important questions.

Skills Assessed: Reading and Speaking

Length of the prompt: Up to 60 words

Time to answer: The given time varies by the length of the text given.

The task here is to read the text that appears on the screen aloud. The test taker or students needs to read the prompt and respond to the prompt, reading the same sentence on the screen. The test taker will be given around 35-40 seconds to read and prepare the prompt. Then, they will hear a short tone indicating for them to speak, the recording will start as immediately after the tone. So, Speak immediately after you hear the tone, do not rush. Do speak clearly. However, the recording will stop if the test taker remains silent for more than 3 seconds.

For this question type, the test taker or students will be assessed based on 3 factors: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation. The test taker must respond by including all the words in the reading text and must be limited to the reading text while responding in context. The oral fluency will be assessed with the test taker’s ability to demonstrate a smooth, effortless, and natural rate of speech. The pronunciation will be assessed by the stressing of the words/phrases correctly and the ability to speak English in the most understandable manner.

Things to keep in mind for the Read Aloud:

• This test will contribute to the score on the pte reading test as well.
• The screen has a timer and a progress bar showing that your response is being recorded. The test taker must respond to the task before the progress bar reaches the end.
• The punctuations will help the test takers to decide the times when they need to pause as they read. Pausing at appropriate times will help test-takers read fluently.
• Try to stress the words that carry important information, this will help them convey ready text better.

3. Repeat Sentence

Repeat Sentence is the highest-scoring question type of the PTE Test. It might be one of the most challenging question types as well, it assesses both PTE Speaking and PTE Listening skills.

Skills Assessed: Listening and Speaking

Length of the Prompt: Up to 3-9 seconds

Time to answer: 15 seconds

The task here is to repeat the sentence after listening to the audio. The audio will start playing automatically and as soon as the audio stops, the test will start recording. There will not be any short tone like in the Read Aloud, thus it is to understand that the recording starts as soon as the audio stops. So, repeat exactly what you have heard immediately after the audio ends, you will score higher if you are precise.

The prompt audio will be of around 3-9 words, and the test taker or students will have about 15 seconds to repeat exactly what they have heard. Speak clearly without rushing and finish your response before the progress bar reaches the end, changing from ‘Recording’ to ‘Completed’. The audio cannot be replayed and the test taker can record their response once.

For this question type, the test taker will be assessed based on 3 factors: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation. The test taker must respond with as much precision as possible, the correct sequence of the words the test taker has in their response- the higher they will score. The oral fluency will be assessed with the test taker’s ability to demonstrate a smooth, effortless, and natural rate of speech, hesitations, repetition, and false starts will negatively affect your scores. The pronunciation will be assessed by the stressing of the words/phrases correctly and the ability to speak English in the most understandable manner.

Things to keep in mind for Repeat Sentence:

• The listening skills will also be assessed with this question type.
• This question type marks you through Partial Credit Scoring.
• Listen carefully, and remember the phrasing of the sentences. The test taker will be scored based on the correct sequence of words/ phrases they speak.
• Try to repeat the pattern of speech of the recording. Stress the words the recording stresses and follow the same intonation as the recording.

4. Describe Image

Describe Images will assess your speaking skills. The task here is to describe the image shown on the screen.

Skills Assessed: Speaking

Length of the prompt: N/A (a picture will be shown)

Time to answer: 40 seconds

The test taker or students here needs to describe the image shown on the screen within 40 seconds they are given. The test taker has 25 seconds to look at and study the image presented, the box will show the time countdown. As the 25 seconds ends the test taker will hear a short tone; start speaking after the tone. The microphone will only record after the tone, remember to speak clearly without rushing. Speak before the progress bar reaches the end turning the ‘Recording’ to ‘Completed’.

While answering be natural, practice your structure as much as you can to make sure it is smooth and flawless. Try not to get stuck and avoid fillers like “umm”.  Highlight key points of the image and respond to what you see in the image without pausing.  Always start your response with the introduction of the image.

For this question type, the test taker or students will be assessed based on three factors; content, oral fluency, and pronunciation. Content is determined by all the elements and aspects of the image you address in your response. Your response must contain all parts of the image, along with logical information, possible developments, and conclusions.  The test taker must speak smoothly, with correct stressing and intonation at a natural rate of speech for acquiring scores in oral fluency. The stressing of the words/phrases correctly and the ability to speak English in the most understandable manner will determine your pronunciation.

Things to keep in mind for Describe Image:

• Partial Credit Scoring will be applied in this test based on content, oral fluency, and pronunciation, giving irrelevant responses will acquire no credit.
• Try to focus on the main information of the image, and voice out the information you see in your response.
• During the time given to prepare, structure, and organize the description of the image. An organized answer is most likely to give higher scores.
• Always start your response with the introduction of the image.

5. Re-tell Lecture

Re-tell Lecture, in this question type, an audio or an audio-visual would be played. This question type would assess the test takers Listening as well as Speaking skills.

Skills Assessed: Listening and Speaking

Length of the prompt: Up to 90 seconds

Time to answer: 40 seconds

The task here is to listen to the lecture recording that is played and interpret it in your own words. The recording will be about 90 seconds long and 10 seconds is given to the test takers to prepare for their response. The time count down will be shown in a box, after the preparation time ends, a short tone is heard. Answer after the short tone, the test takers will have 40 seconds to respond to the task. Speak clearly without rushing, and finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end turning the “Recording” to “Completed”. You will be able to record your response once.

Make notes during the lecture, and try to include as many points as possible. Do not contemplate on the points you have missed, focus on noting and getting the next points. If a visual, usually an image, is provided then make good use of it. You will have 3 seconds before the lecture begins, use that time to look at the picture to predict the possible topic of the lecture.

After the lecture ends, use the ten seconds you have to arrange, recollect and organize for your response. While responding make good use of the 40 seconds, make sure you respond including as many points you can. If you make a mistake, do not go back trying to correct yourself. Ignore your mistakes and keep talking to include more points.

In the Re-tell Lecture, the test taker will be assessed based on three factors; content, oral fluency, and pronunciation. Including then all-important points, situations, developments, possible development, and conclusion will help you score for content. The test taker must speak smoothly, with correct stressing and intonation at a natural rate of speech for acquiring scores in oral fluency. The stressing of the words/phrases correctly and the ability to speak English in the most understandable manner will determine your pronunciation.

Things to keep in mind for the Re-tell Lecture:

• Use the erasable note-board provided to take notes of important points and keywords.
• This question type will contribute to scores in your Listening test as well.
• Make sure your notes are readable to yourself, making notes is important but if you cannot understand the notes you make, it is useless.
• Try to respond including all the points you can make while also adding possible developments and a conclusion.
• Partial Credit Scoring will be applied to this question type based on listening, content while speaking, oral fluency, and pronunciation.

6. Answer Short Question

In Answer Short Question, the test taker must answer a question with a single word or few words. The question type will assess your listening and speaking skills.

Skills Assessed: Listening and Speaking

Length of the prompt: Up to 3-9 seconds

Time to answer: 10 seconds

The task here is to answer the question asked with as less as one or few words. The question will play automatically, and the question will be asked within 9 seconds. There is no short tone, so as soon as the question ends, the 10 seconds time to answer will begin. Within ten seconds, the test taker must answer the question with a correct answer. The question prompt will not be replayed and the answer too will be recorded once.

Start to answer your question as soon as the timer shows recording, if the test taker won’t speak for more than 3 seconds, the recording will stop and the test taker will lose their chance to answer the question.  After responding, if you haven’t finished answering do not pause for more than 3 seconds, if you do so, the recording will stop and change its status to completed. This question requires a short, accurate answer, and the questions are usually of general knowledge. So, do not overthink and keep your answer short and simple, no extra marks will be added for long answers.

Answer Short Question will assess you based on your ability to understand and answer the short question. The answer will be scored as correct and incorrect based on the appropriateness of the word used. No credit is given for no response.

Things to keep in mind for Answer Short Question:

• This question type also assesses your Listening skills and measures your vocabulary level.
• Answer with as less words as you can, you only have 10 seconds to answer.
• Keep your answer, simple and direct. Do not overthink, usually, the first thing that comes to your mind turns out to be the correct answer.
• Listen cautiously to each question and try to comprehend the question.
• The questions asked are usually already given in the portal, if you have practiced a lot, you might come across familiar questions.

7. Summarize Written Text

The Summarize Written Text requires the test taker to write a one-sentence summary of a passage. This question will assess the test takers Reading and Writing skills.

Skills Assessed: Reading and Writing

Length of the prompt: Up to 300 words

Time to answer: 10 minutes

The task here is to write a single sentence summary of no more than 75 words of a passage with 300 words. The test taker will have a total of 10 minutes to read the passage and write the summary. The test taker can use the functions such as Cut, Copy and Paste while writing the summary. At the bottom of the screen, a Word Count will count the number of words in the summary.

While writing the summary make sure to include the important points in the summary. Write the summary in the correct form, within the word limit, and use compound and complex sentences along with using connectors to form a summary that can hold information of the passage within a single sentence. However, as a test taker, you should focus on producing a brief, simple, and grammatically correct summary with correct sentence structure.

The ability to use compound and complex sentences is important but the summary that can produce meaning is more important. The use of compound and complex sentence will help you form a finer summary but using them incorrectly will also be penalized. A complex sentence also invites a lot of errors, thus writing a brief and simple summary that accurately interprets the passage is the key here.

The test taker will be scored based on these factors; content, form, grammar, and vocabulary. The content is the most important factor, if the content of the summary is incorrect or if the summary misinterprets the passage, the test taker will not score on any other factors. Thus, for scoring on content, the test taker must accurately interpret the passage focusing on the main idea and provide supporting points to the main idea of the summary. The test taker must write their summary within the 5-75 word limit to score in form. For Grammar and Vocabulary, the test taker must present a grammatically correct sentence with words that is relevant to the summary.

Things to keep in mind for the Summarize Written Text:

• Reading skills are also assessed in this question type.
• Write the summary in more than 5 and less than 75 words to be scored.
• Do not overcomplicate the summary, the test is looking for an accurately interpreted summary
• Do not overuse commas, semicolons and do not repeat the same connectors and conjunctions constantly

8. Essay

The test taker or students must write an essay for this writing task. This question type assesses the test takers’ writing skills only.

Skills Assessed: Writing

Length of the prompt: 2-3 sentences

Time to answer: 20 minutes

The task is to write a 200-300 word essay as a response to the given prompt. The prompt is of 2-3 sentences and it will give the test-takers an outline for the essay. The test taker must finish their essay within 20 minutes along with analyzing and understanding the prompt within the same time frame. The test takers can also use the functions such as Cut, Copy and Paste while constructing the essay. At the bottom of the screen, a Word Counter will count the number of words in the essay

While writing the essay, the test takers or students must write the essay in a proper format with multiple paragraphs that are well connected and have a distinct introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The essay must be written within the word limit and must contain well-developed ideas with proper grammar and sentence structure. Correct use of sentence structure, punctuation, and capitalization along with correct spellings are assessed here.

Before writing the essay, analyze the task; look for the keywords, and points you need to focus on. Then focus on the prompt, whether you agree or disagree with the prompt. The prompt will act as a guideline for the test takers helping them to bring discussion topics.

The Essay task is scored based on these topics; content, development, structure, coherence, form, general linguistics range, grammar usage, and mechanics, vocabulary range, and spelling. Make sure you produce appropriate details; with examples and explanations of the idea you support for the content. Highlight key ideas and opinions, and communicate with the essay topic to how the linguistic range.

Things to keep in mind for the Essay:

• Partial credit scoring will be applied in this question type.
• Write within the word limit to score; 200-300 words.
• Look out for Errors in Grammar, Sentence Structure, and Spelling.
• Divide the paragraph and discuss the key points.
• Each paragraph must focus on an idea and must contain supporting points.
• Make sure your essay has a clear introduction and conclusion

Scoring

PTE is an integrated test, meaning every section has questions that will contribute to scores in other sections as well. The Speaking and Writing Section of the PTE Test contributes scores within the question types as well as Reading and Listening. Each question in PTE Speaking and Writing shares scores with other Skill tests of PTE except for Describe Image and Essay questions.

The total question you receive may not add up to 90 marks for each skill section because the scores you receive are not a mark but a scale. The total marks/scores acquired by the test taker in each skill: Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening will be converted on a scale of 10-90.

Each question type in PTE Speaking and Writing will be scored in these ways:

PTE Speaking

Criteria for scores based on Pronunciation

Criteria for scores based on Oral Fluency

PTE Writing

PTE Speaking and Writing Preparation

• Nothing better prepares you for the PTE Speaking and Writing than Practice. Practice as much as you can with a variety of mock tests.
• Know about the PTE Speaking and Writing test format, and be prepared to tackle all types of questions.
• Understand the scoring, and focus on the question type that gives the most scores. Few questions carry a lot more scores than the others so, you must study well for the test.
• Take PTE practice tests to know your level of speaking and writing. If you think that you need to focus more, then study hard and Set an achievable goal and focus on getting the aimed score.
• Always seek improvement, keep track of your mistakes and improve them.
• Every question type is timed, learn to manage time according to the question types. Achieving the task within the time limit will help you finish the test, check and prepare or study
• Few questions have a short tone for you to answer, few question types don’t. Know when and how to answer each question type.
• Use correct grammar and sentence structure with correct spellings.
• Familiarize yourself with new words and ways to use them accurately to enhance your vocabulary range.

For More:- PTE Preparation Guide

We hope this Gurubaa Blog “PTE Speaking and Writing” helps you understand the PTE Speaking and Writing section of the PTE test. If you have any queries regarding PTE Speaking and Writing, you can comment on this blog or you can contact Gurubaa for further information.