Common Mistakes to Avoid in the PTE Speaking Test

Understanding the most common mistakes candidates make in the PTE Speaking section is important to avoid during your own practice. Some of the most common mistakes that test-takers should be aware of are as follows:

1. Speaking Too Fast or Too Slow

One Common mistake while speaking in the PTE test is speaking too fast or very slow. In an effort to finish quickly, some speakers rush through their answers; others speak too slowly, with time running out for them before they can answer within time.

Why this occurs: It is caused by anxiety and poor handling of the passage of time.
How to prevent it: Record yourself with a timer to get accustomed to the time limit. Find a comfortable speech rate where you can articulate clearly without rushing.

2. Errors in pronunciation and intonation
   
   

Another common mistake is neglecting pronunciation and intonation. If your pronunciation is vague, or your intonation is flat, the computer scoring system may not understand you.
Why this happens: Non-native speakers might have trouble with specific English sounds or accents.
How to avoid it: Emphasize the sounds you are least comfortable with. You can use online materials, apps, or work with a coach who will offer specific exercises.
 

3. Excessive use of fillers or hesitations
   The excessive use of fillers like “um,” “ah,” or “like” gives an unpolished and disorganized sound to your speech. These fillers lower the fluency of your response and, therefore your score.
   
   Why it happens: Nervousness or uncertainty during the exam often leads to fillers.
   How to avoid it: Instead of using fillers, take short pauses. This way, you will sound more confident, and also let yourself organize the thoughts to be expressed.
   
   
4. Mismanaging content in Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture
   In the Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture tasks, candidates sometimes mismanage the content. Either they miss key details or bring in irrelevant information that doesn’t contribute to the task.
   
   Why it happens: The lack of understanding of the task’s requirements or nervousness leads to rambling.
   How to avoid it: Adopt a systematic approach for every assignment. For Describe Image, try to focus on the main features and trends. For Re-tell Lecture, summarize the lecture’s key points and avoid unnecessary details.
   
   

5. Not Adhering to the Time Limits
   Not managing time can make a response tardy or incomplete. The PTE Speaking test is timed very closely, and a test-taker’s failure to keep their responses within the allotted time is likely to be counted against them.
   
   Why it happens: Test-takers tend to not practice under time constraints or do not gauge how long their responses should be.
   How to avoid it: Timed mock tests should be practiced regularly and an attempt should be made that the responses are neither disorganized nor incomplete.