PTE Speaking tasks - how recording works

Speaking tasks follow the real PTE: the prompt plays or appears, a short preparation timer runs, and recording starts automatically.

The steps

1. Audio (if the task has one). An Audio begins in 5s countdown, then the prompt plays once.
2. Preparation. A countdown shows Recording will start in … seconds. Tap Start Recording Now to begin sooner.
3. Recording. A red indicator and a live waveform show you're being recorded. It stops when the time is up, or tap Stop recording.
4. Review (practice only). Play your answer back, then choose Submit or Re-record.

Timing by task

Task	Prepare	Speak
Read Aloud	40 s	up to about 40 s
Repeat Sentence	3 s	up to 15 s
Describe Image	25 s	up to 40 s
Re-tell Lecture	10 s	up to 40 s
Answer Short Question	3 s	up to 10 s
Summarize Group Discussion	10 s	up to 2 min
Respond to a Situation (Core)	10 s	up to 40 s

Note pad (app)

For Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation and Describe Image, tap the note pad button to jot down key words while you listen.

Tips

• Don't stop. Long pauses hurt Oral Fluency more than small mistakes.
• Read Aloud: use the preparation time to read the text in your head and plan where to pause.
• Describe Image / Re-tell Lecture: use a structure. Introduce the image or lecture, then give 2–3 key points and a conclusion.
• Answer Short Question: one word or a short phrase is enough.
• Use a headset microphone and a quiet room. Background noise lowers pronunciation scores.