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PTE Core · Speaking · SW1

PTE Core Speaking: Read Aloud

Read Aloud is the first scored task in PTE Core Part 1. A short text appears on screen, you get 30 to 40 seconds to read it silently, and then you read it into the microphone. It is marked on how clearly and smoothly you speak and how closely you follow the words.

Items per test
6–7
Preparation
30–40 seconds, depending on the text
Response
Recording time depends on the text length
Silence rule
Recording stops after 3 seconds of silence
Where it sits
Part 1: Speaking & Writing

How it works

  1. 1A short everyday or workplace text appears with a preparation countdown.
  2. 2Read it through silently and decide where the natural pauses fall.
  3. 3A tone sounds and the microphone opens; read the whole text aloud once.
  4. 4The recording ends when the timer runs out or after 3 seconds of silence.

Sample task

Original sample · not from an official test

Read the text aloud: "The community pool will close early on Friday for routine maintenance. Swimming lessons scheduled after four o'clock have been moved to Saturday morning. Members who cannot attend the new time can request a refund at the front desk before the end of the month."

Show a strong response

Outline: A steady reading with short pauses after "maintenance", "morning" and "front desk", stressing key information such as "Friday", "four o'clock" and "refund".

The text has three clear ideas. Grouping words into sense units and pausing at the full stops keeps the reading fluent, while stressing times and days sounds natural rather than flat.

Tips that work

  • Use the preparation time to mark breath points at commas and full stops, not to rehearse every word under your breath.
  • Start speaking within a second or two of the tone; a long silence at the start can close the microphone.
  • If you misread a word, keep going. Going back to correct it breaks your rhythm and costs more than the slip.
  • Say numbers, dates and times the way people say them in daily life, for example "four o'clock" rather than "four zero zero".

Common mistakes

  • Reading word by word at an even pace, which sounds robotic.
  • Rushing to finish early and swallowing word endings such as -ed and -s.
  • Pausing for several seconds on an unfamiliar name, which can end the recording.

Questions candidates ask

What happens if I stop talking in PTE Core Read Aloud?

The microphone closes after 3 seconds of silence and whatever you recorded is what gets marked, so keep a steady flow even if you stumble.

Do I have to read every word?

Yes. Skipped, added or replaced words count against you, so aim for accuracy first and then natural speed.

How long are the texts?

They are short, everyday or workplace passages. The preparation time is 30 to 40 seconds and adjusts to the text.

Can I practise with feedback?

EnglishHub gives AI feedback on your recording, with practice sets that follow this task's timing.

Other PTE Core Speaking tasks

PTE Core overviewPTE Core Speaking: all partsPTE Core full mock testsPTE Core articles on the blog