PTE Speaking 2026: Latest Pattern, Question Types, Practice Tests

PTE Speaking & Writing is the first section of the PTE Academic exam. It tests both speaking and writing skills in one combined module. This section has 28-36 questions across 10 task types (8 for Speaking and 2 for Writing). The total duration of the section is around 54-67 minutes. Common question types include Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Summarize Written Text, and Essay.

You get 25 seconds to prepare and 30-40 seconds to record your answer for most speaking tasks. You can record each response only once. The PTE test is fully computer-based. You speak into a microphone, and your responses are recorded and scored by AI.

PTE Speaking scoring is based on content, fluency, pronunciation, and grammar, depending on the task. For speaking tasks, you can get up to 3 points for content, 5 for fluency, and 5 for pronunciation. PTE scores for the Speaking section are reported on a scale of 10-90, where a higher score shows stronger English skills.

PTE Speaking Question Types

The table below gives the PTE Speaking question types, each of which is explained in the later sections.

1. Personal Introduction

In the PTE introduction, you should briefly state your name and talk about something you like, such as your hobbies or interests, to show clear pronunciation and fluency. You should also mention your education and areas of interest.

• Duration: 25 seconds.
• Scoring: Not scored.
• Purpose: It is sent to institutions along with your PTE score report.

2. Read Aloud

In the PTE Speaking module, Read Aloud is the first task. You need to read a text of about 60 words aloud. You will get 30-40 seconds to prepare before recording.

• Recording: A microphone box will open after a countdown.
• Important: Speak only after hearing a short tone, or your response won’t be recorded.
• Scoring: This task is one of the highest-scoring in PTE Speaking because it evaluates oral fluency and pronunciation.

PTE Read Aloud Practice:

Tips:

• Speak clearly and don’t rush.
• Finish before the progress bar ends.
• Keep speaking until “Recording” changes to “Completed.”
• You only get one chance to record your answer.

3. Repeat Sentence

In the Repeat Sentence task of PTE Speaking, an audio clip is played, and students must listen carefully. Once the audio ends, a microphone appears with “Recording.” You should start speaking immediately, as no tone is played like in the Read Aloud task. There are 10-12 Repeat Sentence questions in total.

PTE Repeat Sentence Practice:

You will hear a sentence. Please repeat the sentence exactly as you hear it. Click on the microphone and speak or type the answer in the box. You should listen to the sentence only once.

Audio 1

Audio 2

Audio 3

Tips:

• Pay attention to the number of phrases and reproduce the sentence correctly.
• Note stress and intonation patterns while listening.
• No marks are given for irrelevant answers or no response.
• Partial credit is possible if the sentence is only partly correct.

4. Retell Lecture

In the Retell Lecture task of PTE, candidates listen to an audio while an image related to the audio is displayed. After the audio ends, you get 10 seconds to prepare your answer for the speaking test.

PTE Retell Lecture Practice:

You will hear a lecture. After listening to the lecture, in 10 seconds, please speak into the microphone and retell what you have heard from the lecture in your own words. You will have 40 seconds to give your response.

Audio

Transcript: “This class is about the post-emancipation African American experience. It is about American history. And I hope that point is frankly very obvious, but one never quite understands or can anticipate all of these things. It is about American history fundamentally. At its course, at its core excuse me, the course is about citizenship, the most important keyword for the entire class. The course is about citizenship, how one becomes a citizen, what one does to preserve that citizenship. At its core then, the class asks the question: what does it mean to be American? Now I will ask this question explicitly a few times in the class, but it implicitly is woven through so much of what I’m going to be talking about. What does it mean to be American?”

Answer: Audio

Answer Transcript: “The lecture explains that the class is about the post-emancipation African American history, which in a broader way is about the American history. The course will explore topics like citizenship and what is being an American actually involved.”

Tips:

• Use the full time wisely and avoid mistakes.
• Focus on clear content, good oral fluency, and correct pronunciation.
• Practice helps improve timing and delivery for a higher PTE score.

5. Describe Image

PTE Describe Image is a speaking task where students answer based on a displayed image. After the countdown, the microphone opens, giving 25 seconds to prepare the response.

PTE Describe Image Practice:

Tips:

• Focus carefully on the image shown.
• Use the erasable note board to jot down key ideas and phrases.
• Organize the main points of the image before speaking.
• Practice with PTE speaking mock tests to improve performance.

6. Answer Short Question

In the Answer Short Question task of PTE Speaking, you listen to an audio or look at an image and give a short answer. After the audio stops and the microphone appears, you must respond with one or a few words within 10 seconds. The prompt usually lasts 3-9 seconds, and there is no negative marking for wrong or skipped answers.

PTE Answer Short Question Practice:

Some common questions are:

Scoring and Tips:

• Uses partial credit, so you earn points for correct answers only.
• Scoring depends on how accurately and briefly you answer.
• This task checks both listening and speaking skills.
• Improve your score with a good vocabulary and correct use of articles (a, an, the).
• Practice with PTE mock tests to build confidence and accuracy.

7. Summarize Group Discussion

In the Summarize Group Discussion task, you will hear a talk between 3 people. The recording will be up to 3 minutes long. After listening, you will have 2 minutes to speak, and you can record your answer only once.

PTE Summarize Group Discussion Practice:

Recording Transcript:

Sample Answer:

8. Respond to a Situation

In the Respond to a Situation task, you will hear a recording and read a short text of up to 60 words describing a situation. You need to answer a question by giving a detailed spoken response. You will have 40 seconds to speak, and you can listen to the recording and record your answer only once.

PTE Respond to a Situation Practice:

How is the PTE Speaking Section Scored?

The PTE speaking score is based on grammar and vocabulary. Each task is marked in areas such as content, pronunciation, oral fluency, and sometimes vocabulary.

• Content is scored based on how completely and accurately you respond.
• Pronunciation is rated from 0 (Non-English) to 5 (Native-like).
• Oral fluency is also rated from 0 (Disfluent) to 5 (Native-like).
• Vocabulary is checked for appropriate word choice (in some tasks).

Higher scores are given for clear, fluent, and complete responses that match the task requirements. The total score is calculated using this formula:

(Grammar + Oral Fluency + Pronunciation + Spelling + Vocabulary + Written Discourse) ÷ 6 = Average of Enabling Skills.

Also Check: PTE Band Score

PTE Speaking Prep Books

There are many PTE preparation books for the Speaking section. One good option is the Official Guide to PTE Academic, which gives a clear overview of all sections. It also explains how scores are given, includes useful word lists, and provides practice tasks to build your skills.

• PTE Academic Offline Practice Test: Check PDF
• The Official Guide to PTE Academic for Test Takers: Check PDF
• PTE Academic Practice Test Plus: Check PDF

The PTE Speaking section tests your English speaking skills through different tasks like Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Retell Lecture, and new tasks like Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. To get a high score, focus on clear pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and content. Practice regularly using mock tests and preparation books.