Pros & Cons of the Speaking Section in PTE Academic

If you wish to pursue higher education in Australia or want to apply for visa, you must pass the PTE Academic test with a good score.

Wondering, what is PTE?

Well, PTE is a globally accepted English language proficiency exam that measures a non-native English speaker’s Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing skills in English language.

PTE Academic score is accepted by all Australian state governments, universities, and colleges. Taking Pearson English test improves an international, non-native student’s proficiency in the language, making him or her eligible for admission in an Australian university or getting visa approval.

PTE Academic test comprises of four different modules that are specifically designed to determine the English language abilities (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) of a candidate. Each module holds a separate score. Students generally face certain difficulties in the Speaking section. However, it also comes with several advantages that make it easier for test takers to score high.

Below are the pros and cons of the ‘Speaking’ section in PTE Academic.

Pros of PTE Speaking Module:

1. Automated Testing System:
One of the most appealing factors of ‘Speaking’ section of the PTE Academic test is that it is fully automated and computer-based. This means there is no personal examiner to test your speaking skills. This is a great convenience for non-native test takers who are less confident while sitting in front of an English expert and talking to him for an extended period of time. Unlike other English proficiency tests, the test format here is fully computerized, and it is much easier to speak to a machine that is not instantly judging every word you speak. Moreover, you feel more confident speaking to a computer than to a person in real.

2. A Wide Variety of Sections:
The Speaking test comprises of varied sections that make it easier to get through this segment of Pearson English test. Moreover, you are at an advantage of interacting with a computer and do not have to face an examiner who will ask questions as per their whims and fancies.

3. Lenient Test Format:
The computerized testing format in PTE Academic is very lenient, but extremely reliable in testing proficiency in English language. However, during the speaking test, one should speak fluently and clearly since the computer will stop recording if there is 3 seconds gap between words. But, nothing to worry! Three seconds are much longer than you think. Instead of being cleverer with your speech, it is important to be clearer.

Cons of PTE Speaking module:

1. Lack of Privacy:
One of the disadvantages of speaking section is that if you are taking the exam in a room with other students, you might have difficulty in speaking while others are also doing the same. However, that isn’t a problem at all if you are able to concentrate on your exam. Moreover, the microphones are programmed in a manner to eliminate outside noise and exclusively pick your voice. An important tip here is to choose PTE exam date that falls on a weekday. This would increase your chance of giving the speaking test in a relatively empty classroom.

Considering the above pros and cons, you know why more and more international students are taking the PTE Academic over other English proficiency tests. Though the speaking module appears to be difficult, it is equally easy to ace it if practised in a right direction. So, just go ahead and book a date.