The speaking skills are tested on the candidate’s ability to speak English in an academic setting. The type of questions that appear in this section are mentioned below:
1. Read Aloud- This question type tests both, speaking and reading skills of the candidate. A sentence is displayed on the computer. The candidate is allowed 30-40 seconds preparation time to read and understand the sentence thoroughly. Once the preparation time is over, the audio recording begins, and the candidate is required to read the text into the microphone within 40 seconds. There will be 6-7 such questions in the test that assess the oral fluency and pronunciation skills of the candidate.
2. Repeat Sentence- This question type assesses listening and speaking skills. A recording plays for about 3-9 seconds. Once it gets over, within one second, the candidate is required to repeat the sentence as it is into the microphone. The time allotted to the response is 15 seconds. The candidate should listen to the recording carefully during the playback as it is only played once. There are around 10 questions of this type.
3. Describe Image- Graphs and pie charts are displayed on the screen usually. The candidate needs to explain these images verbally. A time period of 25 seconds is allotted to study the image and then 40 seconds to give a response. These images are mostly academic in nature and test the candidate’s ability to respond fluently and clearly. There are 5-6 Describe Image questions in the real PTE exam.
4. Re-tell Lecture- There are 3-4 questions of this type to test the listening and speaking skills of the candidate. A lecture on any academic topic of up to 90 seconds is played, after the audio is played the candidate is given 10 seconds to prepare the response. The audio recording begins after the preparation time, and the candidate gets 40 seconds to speak into a microphone a summary of the lecture they listened to. This question type assesses the candidate’s ability to speak fluently.
5. Answer Short Questions- This question type assesses the listening and speaking skills of the candidate. The question is in the form of an audio recording. After the audio finishes, the recording for the response begins immediately. These answers range from 1 word to a phrase of maximum 3-4 words. Each correct answer is marked 1 point and no point is given for incorrect or no response.
Speaking and Writing section together is allotted 77-93 minutes in total. As mentioned before, the speaking skills are tested on the candidate’s ability to speak English in an academic setting. However, Writing skills are tested on the basis of the responses of the candidates to the questions. Correct vocabulary, grammar and spelling are also tested in the written section. Since this section is a combination of speaking and writing skills, it is the longest section, which carries the maximum weightage of points. Practicing for the question types of this section can help a candidate boost up the PTE results.
Since Speaking and Writing section together involve question types that test all the four communicative skills (Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening), one needs to be absolutely sure about her/his ability of handling all these question types. It always helps to attempt a sample test and understand your comfort level in handling all these question types.
You may also take the help of an expert to clearly understand the points where you falter, and ways to improve your skills. Attempt Fountainhead Prep PTE Diagnostic Test today and apply for evaluation to get a 60-minute verbal feedback from our PTE expert!
