About - Read aloud is the first question type in PTE speaking. The question is designed in a such a way to test the test takers ability to read and speak the content from varieties of field such as science, technology, music, philosophy and so on. The average word count per question lies in between 50-60 words. The test takers are allowed the preparation time of 30-40 seconds depending on the length of the question, and once the preparation time is over, the actual recording starts for which the time of 40 seconds is granted.
Scoring -
Speaking and Reading Scoring mainly depends on 3 main factors:
Content, Pronunciation and Fluency. Content is scored based on
the test takers ability to read the question without
replacement, omission or insertion of a word. Each replacement,
omission or insertion of a word is count as one error.
Pronunciation:
The scoring for the pronunciation is measured in the scale of
0-5.
90 Points - Native-Like when all vowels and
consonants are pronounced in a manner that is easily understood
by regular speaker of the language.
79 Points - Advanced: A few minor errors on
consonant, vowel or consonant sequences may be distorted but
still all the words are easily understandable by the regular
speaker of the language.
65 points – Good: Most vowels and consonants
are spoken in a clear manner which is understandable, however,
there might be the regular distortion, omission or
mispronunciation of the certain words.
50 points:2/3 of the speech is only
understandable where there is consistent mispronunciation of the
consonants and vowels. Some consonants are regularly omitted,
and the stress is placed incorrectly on some words.
Fluency: The scoring for the pronunciation is
measured in the scale of 0-5.
90 Points: Native-Like: Smooth rhythmic and
phrasing pattern without any hesitation, repetitions
79 Points- Advanced: There is no more than one
hesitation, one repetition or a false start. Must speak in an
acceptable rhythmic pattern with appropriate phrasing and word
emphasis.
65Points- Good: There may be more than one
hesitation, one repetition or a false start with lack of
phonological simplifications. Speech is at an acceptable speed;
however, the phrasing may be uneven or lack of word emphasis.
50 Points- Average: Speech is uneven with
unacceptable rhythmic pattern. There might be many hesitation
and repetition or false starts. There may be long pauses in
between the phrases or words. Lack of word emphasis.
Strategy Understanding of Native phonological simplifications and their practice will help to boost your pronunciation score. Breathing is important to enhance the rhythmic and phrasing pattern. Breathing can be improved by inhaling and exhaling exercises. Try to take short inhaling and exhaling. This helps to strengthen your vocal muscles. Even though if you do any mistakes in pronouncing the word, do not repeat that word again. Keep the flow and the rhythmic pattern with consistent phrasing. This allows you to maintain the rhythmic pattern. Utilize your preparation time by proper warm up. Speak like the actual recording during the preparation time to activate your muscles.
Time duration: 30-40 seconds time is allowed to prepare before the actual recording. Once this time gets over, you have 40 seconds to speak the paragraph. Even though the time is 40 seconds for actual recording, try to finish speaking within 25-30 seconds. This allows you to maintain the proper rhythmic pattern.