Thousands of students practice for the PTE Academic speaking section every month. The majority work hard at it. Sadly, many still rely on old techniques and lose unnecessary points.
Pearson revised the exam in August 2025. Two new speaking tasks were added permanently. Speaking responses are automatically scored using Pearson’s speech technology for pronunciation and oral fluency. For content, Pearson’s Score Guide confirms that four tasks also receive human expert review before the final score is confirmed.
This guide from Learn with Hafiz covers all of it. You will know what is on the exam, how it is scored, and what to practice to hit your target.
Why PTE Academic Speaking Affects More Than Just One Score?
Several PTE Academic speaking tasks feed into more than one skill band at once. Repeat Sentence, for example, scores both speaking and listening simultaneously. Therefore, a weak speaking performance quietly drags down your listening band too. Time invested in speaking pays off across more than one section of your result.
How PTE Academic Speaking Is Scored in 2026?
The scoring system changed permanently from August 7, 2025. Most prep materials are still out of date on this.
PTE Academic speaking is automatically scored using Pearson’s speech technology for pronunciation and oral fluency. According to Pearson’s Score Guide, human raters evaluate four speaking tasks before a final score is given (Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation). The score ranges from 10 to 90.
The three scoring criteria apply to all tasks.
- Oral Fluency. Smooth, natural delivery with no long pauses or hesitations
- Pronunciation. Clear sounds that a regular English speaker can understand easily
- Content. Covering the required information accurately for each task
Because content on those four tasks goes through human review, generic or scripted responses score lower. Find a framework to guide your thought process, but craft your actual words from the content in front of you.
All 7 PTE Academic Speaking Questions Explained
Since August 7, 2025, the PTE Academic speaking section has 7 scored speaking modules. The original 5 remain, and 2 new tasks were added permanently.
PTE Academic Speaking Read Aloud
You see a short academic passage on screen, up to 60 words. You have 30 to 40 seconds to prepare, then you read it aloud after a short tone.
Scoring: Content, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation. Contributes to Speaking only.
Read Aloud appears 6 to 7 times per test. Because both fluency and pronunciation are assessed here, a weak delivery hurts your entire speaking band.
What works?
- Maintain the same speed throughout the whole passage. Don’t fade away at the end.
- If you mess up a word, keep speaking. Stopping hurts your fluency score more than the error does.
- Never start speaking before the mic opens. The system will not record it.
If there is no speaking for 3 seconds, the recording will end automatically.
PTE Academic Speaking Repeat Sentence
You hear a sentence played once. It will be 3-9 seconds in length. Immediately after the sentence finishes playing, the mic will open for 15 seconds for you to repeat the sentence.
Scoring: Content, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation. Contributes to both Speaking and Listening.
This task scores two sections at once. Getting good at it moves your overall score faster than almost anything else.
What works?
- If you miss a word, keep going. The overall word sequence matters more than perfection.
- Do not try to write anything down. There is no time. Memory improves through daily oral practice.
- Start the moment the recording ends.
Practice 50 to 60 new sentences daily. Within 2 weeks you will see your memory of holding the sentence pattern will get better.
PTE Academic Speaking Describe Image
A picture will be displayed. You will have 25 seconds to view the picture. You will then have 40 seconds to talk after you hear the tone. Pictures may be bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, maps, or process charts.
Scoring: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation. Pronunciation and oral fluency are scored automatically. Pearson’s Score Guide confirms content is also reviewed by a human expert for this task.
A generic response that ignores the actual image will score low for content. Engage with what is specifically in front of you.
What works?
Use this flexible framework and adapt it to the actual image.
- “This image shows [main topic].”
- “The main feature is [most important trend or element].”
- “Additionally, [a real data point or observation].”
- “Overall, [a brief conclusion from what you see].”
Mention real numbers and real trends. A scripted response that ignores the actual data will cost you marks.
PTE Academic Speaking Retell Lecture
You will listen to a lecture that lasts 40-90 seconds. There may be a picture along with the lecture. You will have 10 seconds to get ready. When you are ready, you will have 40 seconds to retell what you heard.
Scoring Criteria: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation. Oral Fluency and Pronunciation are scored automatically. Pearson’s Score Guide confirms content is also reviewed by a human expert for this task. Engaging with the real topic matters more than fluent but generic speech.
What works?
While listening, note the main topic and core arguments.
When you speak, follow this structure.
- “The speaker discussed [topic].”
- “The main argument was [finding].”
- “The speaker also mentioned [example or data].”
- “To summarize, [key takeaway].”
Answer Short Question
You hear a question and give a one or two word answer. No full sentences needed.
Scoring: Correct or incorrect. Contributes to Listening. This exercise is for vocabulary and general knowledge.
It’s not about your ability to speak. Learn 5 to 10 new words every day. Topics can be science, health, history, or general life. The more variety you know, the better you’ll do.
- “What do you call a doctor who performs operations?” Answer: Surgeon
- “How many sides does a triangle have?” Answer: Three
- “What instrument measures temperature?” Answer: Thermometer
Summarize Group Discussion (New, Permanent from August 2025)
This task was added permanently on August 7, 2025. Many students are still not preparing for it. That is a real disadvantage going into the exam.
What happens?
- You will listen to 3 speakers having a conversation. It will be around 2.5-3 minutes in length.
- You have 10 seconds to prepare when the audio ends.
- You will speak for up to 2 minutes. You will summarize the main points.
Scoring: Content, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation. Pronunciation and oral fluency are scored automatically. Pearson’s Score Guide confirms content is also reviewed by a human expert for this task.
What works?
- While listening, take notes. Jot down points as you hear them.
- Identify what the conversation is about. Then listen for important phrases and ideas.
- Do not give your opinion! Just report what was said.
- Start strongly with an opening like: “The speakers discussed [topic]. They also argued that [point]. Moreover, they suggested that [point]. Overall, the discussion focused on [theme].”
Paraphrase naturally rather than copying what you heard directly.
Respond to a Situation (New, Permanent from August 2025)
This task measures spontaneous, real-world communication. Updated August 7, 2025.
What happens?
- You listen to and read a real-life situation, like leaving a voicemail message or requesting assistance from a professor.
- You have 10 seconds to think about the scenario after listening to the audio.
- Then you have 40 seconds to speak and reply as you would in real life.
Scoring: Content, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation. Pronunciation and oral fluency are scored automatically. Pearson’s Score Guide confirms content is also reviewed by a human expert for this task.
What works?
- Begin with a natural greeting. Hello Joe, Good morning, Dr. Smith,
- Address the main point directly and specifically
- Keep your tone conversational. This task rewards natural communication, not formal speech
- Cover all the key points from the prompt within your 40 seconds
Common scenarios include workplace situations, university situations, and everyday scenarios. Read the prompt and respond specifically to what it describes.
How to Improve Speaking Score in PTE Academic
Knowing how to improve speaking in PTE Academic means more than just knowing the tasks. Here is what actually moves your score.
Record Yourself Every Day
Record a Read Aloud or Describe Image response, then listen back and check four things.
- Where you paused too long
- Whether you stressed the right words
- Whether your pace stayed steady
- Whether you covered the main content point
Many students avoid this because it can feel strange. However, it is the fastest way to find true errors before the testing day.
Practice Pronunciation, not Accent
PTE Academic understands that there are regional and national differences in English. The scoring does not penalize you for your accent, it ensures your sounds are intelligible.
Focus on these specific areas.
- Consonant endings. Say “test,” not “tes.” Say “stand,” not “stan”
- Vowel sounds. “Ship” and “sheep” are scored differently
- Word stress. “REC-ord” (noun) vs “re-CORD” (verb)
Take PTE Academic Speaking Practice Tests Weekly
A PTE Academic speaking practice test puts you under real exam conditions. Many students freeze the first time the mic opens. Practicing beforehand removes that anxiety before it costs you marks.
Take 2 to 3 full mock tests before your exam. Include all 7 tasks.
PTE Academic Speaking Tips That Actually Work
- Speak at 120 to 150 words per minute. Faster hurts pronunciation. Slower drags down your fluency score
- Never pause for more than 3 seconds. The mic stops recording automatically. Bridge with “In addition to this…” if you lose your place
- Use all your preparation time. Even 10 seconds of planning makes your response more organized
- Speak directly into the microphone at a consistent volume. Do not turn your head mid-response
- Avoid filler words. Every “umm” and “uh” reduces your oral fluency score
- For the two new tasks, speak naturally. Pearson’s sample materials favor authentic, conversational responses over rehearsed structures
- Do not start speaking before the tone. Your voice will not be recorded if the mic is not open yet
Common Mistakes in PTE Academic Speaking
Using a fixed template word for word. Experienced PTE coaches advise against rigid memorized templates. A flexible framework that adapts to the actual content serves you far better.
Not preparing for the two new tasks. Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation are permanent. Students who skip them will face 2 unfamiliar task types on exam day.
Speaking too fast. When you rush, pronunciation drops. The scoring system picks up unclear sounds as errors even when your vocabulary is strong.
Stopping after a 3-second silence. Many students do not realize the mic cuts off automatically. They pause to think and the recording ends. Bridge through hesitation with a filler phrase instead.
Skipping preparation time. Students who start speaking immediately tend to lose direction halfway through. Therefore, use every second of prep time to plan your main points before you open your mouth.
Generic responses in Describe Image or Retell Lecture. Because content goes through human review on these tasks, generic responses that ignore the actual content score low.
How to Build Confidence for the PTE Academic Speaking Test?
Confidence comes from habits, not hope.
- Take a full mock test every week. Familiarity with the exam environment reduces anxiety more than anything else
- Find your weakest task and give it 30 extra minutes of daily practice
- Take a slow breath before each task. It reduces the shakiness that nerves cause in your voice
PTE Academic Speaking Score Guide 2026
The PTE Academic score scale ranges from 10 to 90 (Global Scale of English). Requirements vary by institution. Standard programs often sit around 59 to 75. More competitive courses often ask for 65 or above. Always check your specific course requirements.
This rough guide shows what different score ranges reflect.
Reaching 65 and above requires more than technical fluency. Authentic, content-accurate responses are what push students forward.
Your Weekly PTE Academic Speaking Practice Plan
Daily:
- Record 5–10 Read Aloud responses and listen back critically.
- Practice 30–40 Repeat Sentence questions.
- Practice 5 Describe Image tasks.
- Practice 5–10 Summarize Group Discussion or Retell Lecture tasks.
- Practice 5 Respond to a Situation prompts aloud.
Every 3 days:
- One full PTE Academic speaking practice test under timed conditions
- Review your results and focus on your weakest task the following week
Start Your Preparation with Learn with Hafiz
Learn with Hafiz covers all 7 PTE Academic speaking modules, including the two new tasks. You get daily practice sets, scoring feedback, and mock test reviews.
Your target score is reachable. Every week you delay is a week of practice you do not get back.
Visit learnwithhafiz.com and start your PTE Academic speaking preparation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does PTE Academic speaking Get Scored?
PTE Academic speaking is automatically scored using Pearson’s speech technology for pronunciation and oral fluency. For content, Pearson’s Score Guide confirms that four tasks receive human expert review before the final score is confirmed. These are Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, and Respond to a Situation. Scores range from 10 to 90.
How many speaking tasks are in PTE Academic now?
PTE Academic has 7 scored speaking tasks as of August 2025. Two speaking tasks were added permanently from August 7th, 2025. These tasks are Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation.
How long does speaking and writing for PTE Academic last?
Speaking and Writing take 76-84 minutes. The entire exam takes approximately 2 hours.
Is it okay to use templates for PTE Academic speaking?
Templates can help you be flexible. Many professional PTE tutors recommend moving away from verbatim templates. Pearson’s tips and examples recommend speaking naturally and staying on topic.
Does Read Aloud still contribute to my reading score?
No. After the August 2025 update, Read Aloud contributes to Speaking only. It no longer affects your Reading score.