If you’ve ever taken the PTE Speaking test, you’ll know it is different from any other English exam. It’s not about how smart your answers sound but about how clearly and naturally you speak when the clock is ticking.
The truth is, even people with good English end up with lower scores. Not because their grammar is wrong or their vocabulary is limited, but because they make small mistakes that bring down their score.
Let’s walk through those common mistakes, one by one, and talk about how you can avoid them.
1. Speaking Too Fast or Too Soft
You might think speaking quickly shows confidence, but in PTE, it can actually bring down your scores. The computer doesn’t care about how fluent you are, it scores you on the basis of how clearly it can recognise your words. When you rush, your words blend together. On the other hand, speaking too softly is just as bad. If the mic can’t catch your sound properly, it’ll register gaps or missing words.
Try this: Sit a few centimetres away from the mic, close enough to be heard clearly, but not breathing into it. Speak as if you’re talking to a person sitting across a small table. Not shouting, not whispering, just steady and clear.
2. Long Pauses While Thinking
In the speaking section, if you pause for more than three seconds, the system assumes you’ve finished and automatically moves on. So if you stop mid-sentence trying to find the perfect word, the test doesn’t wait, it just cuts you off.
What helps: Don’t chase perfection, if you forget a word, replace it quickly. For example, if you can’t remember “significant,” say “important.” Keeping the sentence going sounds far more natural than going silent.
3. Reading Too Slowly in “Read Aloud”
This task feels easy on paper, you just read what’s on the screen. But a lot of people overthink it. They read each word slowly and carefully, trying not to make a mistake, which ends up making them sound robotic. Others rush through too fast, and the clarity disappears.
A better way: Read it like you’re explaining it to a friend, natural rhythm, small pauses where punctuation appears, and just enough energy to sound engaged.
4. Forgetting the Rhythm in “Repeat Sentence”
This one catches a lot of test-takers off guard. You hear a short sentence, and you’re supposed to repeat it exactly. Many try to remember every single word and end up hesitating halfway. That pause breaks your fluency. The system doesn’t mind if you miss one or two words, it minds when your rhythm collapses.
Tip: Listen for meaning, not every word. If the sentence is “The bus leaves at half past nine,” remember “bus,” “leaves,” and “half past nine.” Reproduce the idea and tone, not just the text.
5. Trying to Describe Every Detail in “Describe Image”
You get 25 seconds to prepare, and most people waste that time panicking, trying to look at every number or shape, running out of time mid-sentence.
Here’s what actually works:
- One sentence to say what the image shows.
- Two or three short points describing trends or patterns.
- One closing line summarising what you noticed.
Make it simple, clear, confident and well within the time limit, you don’t have to over-explain anything.
6. Giving Vague Answers in “Retell Lecture”
This task asks you to listen to a short lecture and summarise it. What most people do is start with something too generic like “The lecture was about education” but that’s not enough.
A stronger approach will be to focus on the main idea and a few key details. If the lecture talks about how online learning helps working adults, say: “The lecture discussed how online learning allows flexible study schedules for people with jobs. It also mentioned that technology has made education more accessible.”
You don’t need fancy words, just accuracy, structure, and flow.
7. Overthinking “Answer Short Question”
It’s easy to lose marks on simple questions when nerves take over. The question might be, “What do bees produce?” and suddenly, you second-guess yourself.
Tip: Don’t overcomplicate it, a short, direct answer is enough, just one or two words. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess because staying silent is always worse than trying.
8. Using Too Many Fillers
We all use fillers like “um,” “ah,” or “you know” when we think. But in PTE, those little words add up and signal hesitation and the AI counts them as breaks in fluency.
Try this instead: When you feel yourself about to say “um,” just pause for half a second. Silence sounds more confident than fillers. You can also use connecting words like “also,” “so,” or “then” to keep your speech flowing naturally.
9. Not Practising in Real Conditions
The test room won’t be quiet as everyone around you will be speaking at the same time. If you’ve only practised in silence, it might throw you off on test day.
Do this: Practise in a slightly noisy environment, maybe with background chatter or soft music. Get used to hearing your own voice while others are speaking. It’ll train your focus so you stay calm when it counts.
10. Forgetting How the AI Scores You
PTE’s system doesn’t judge personality or style, it analyses pronunciation, fluency, and how well your words match the prompt. Some people think speaking louder or more emotionally will earn extra marks, but that’s not how it works.
Keep it balanced: Speak clearly, stay steady, and finish within time. Treat the system like a listener who values clarity over flair.
Final Thoughts
The PTE Speaking test is about sounding human, confident, and in control. Once you understand what the computer is listening for, you can work with it, not against it.
Focus on being clear, steady, and natural. Practise in real situations, listen to your own recordings, and aim for progress. When you sound like someone who genuinely communicates, not someone trying to “perform,” your score will reflect it.
At Englishwise, our PTE coaching helps you target all aspects and takes you closer to your dream score. Connect with us today and find expert guidance at each step.
