“How can I achieve 79+ score in all PTE Academic section” is a question that is constantly asked by those wishing to take the test. If you are amongst the majority of people struggling with attaining your desired score especially in the speaking section and you will like an improvement, then this article is for meant for you.

Speaking and writing are tested together, however, marks allocation between the two communicative skills is separated. The questions that contribute marks to speaking include read aloud, repeat sentence, describe image, re-tell lecture and answer short questions. It is important before attempting the test to understand the format clearly.

The speaking section test format

 Read aloud prompts the test taker to read up to 60 words text displayed on the screen. This area assesses speaking and reading. There is a clock countdown of 30-40 seconds and during this time the test taker has to prepare and practice answer. At the end of the timer, a soft tone will come on after which you should start recording your answer.

 Repeat the sentence assesses the listening and speaking skills. The task is to listen to an audio of 3-9 seconds and repeat the content of the audio within 15 seconds. In this case, there is no tone to alert the test taker to start speaking, therefore, you have to figure when to start speaking on your own.

 Describe image assesses speaking. The task here is to describe the image or chart displayed on the screen. There is 25 seconds preparation and when it elapses the tone will come on giving the test taker the signal to provide his/her answer.

 Re-tell lecture assesses listening and speaking skill. It can be tested by either listening to the audio or watching a video clip. The task is to retell the content of the lecture in your own words. The length of the audio/video is 90 seconds and you have 10 seconds to prepare and 30 seconds to respond.

 Answer short question assesses listening and speaking. The audio of 3-9 seconds long plays after which the test taker has to answer in just a few words in just 10 seconds.

The reason why you are scoring low in PTE speaking

1. Lack of knowledge of scoring criteria

The scoring criteria for the speaking and writing section is comprehensive and not as straightforward as in other sections. To better understand how each question gets marked, it important for the test taker to refer to PTE scoring guide. The guide highlights important points required to obtain the highest marks and errors that hinder achieving a good score. The score range for most questions is 0 -5 where 5 is obtained when all the required points have been mentioned and zero is just the opposite.

2. Failing to include all the important points in your answer

As it has been mentioned in the preceding section, understanding the score criteria is very important as it offers a clear compass of how to answer questions as best as possible. The common mistakes that lead to losing marks include repetition of words, using filler words, pausing in the middle of recording for a “lengthy” time. It also includes failing to provide a clear description of the image, stammering in your speech and many more.

3. Lack of research
Research and knowledge gathered from the community of people who have taken the test before or are the expert in PTE Academics can help you to avoid losing resources unnecessarily. Find all the information you can get and use it to prepare better and to get better marks.

Tips to score high in the reading section

a) Deliver a clear natural speech
This means when recording your answer you try by all means to flow naturally in your speech. Be confident when speaking and avoid speaking fast as it has a negative impact on the score. Your speech should sound the same way as when giving a professional presentation either in front of a judging panel or other academics.
b) Don’t forget the enabling skills

The enabling skills assessed are punctuation and oral fluency whose score criteria is also comprehensive. It should be noted that it is highly possible to get high marks for speaking communicative skills but low marks in enabling skills. This can further be understood by reading the score guide. Basically speaking is assessed based on content while enabling skills score is based on the test taker’s ability to portray native-like English skills.