If you’re gearing up for the PTE, you already know the Speaking section can be a tough one. You can be fluent, well-prepared, and confident, but there’s one thing that might trip you up: the PTE AI scoring system. It doesn’t matter how well you speak if the system doesn’t understand what you’re saying, right?
But don’t stress. It’s all about knowing how the AI works and adjusting your speaking style to make sure it hears you correctly. Let’s break it down and look at some simple tips to help you get the most accurate score.
Understanding the PTE AI Scoring System
Before diving into tips and techniques, it’s essential to understand how the PTE AI system works. The system evaluates several aspects of your spoken responses using advanced speech recognition technology. The key components it assesses are:
- Pronunciation: How clear and accurate your words are.
- Fluency: How smooth and natural your speech sounds.
- Intonation: The rise and fall of your voice. A flat voice can confuse the AI.
By understanding these factors, you can focus your preparation on each area, ensuring the AI understands and scores you accurately.
Why Your Speaking Might Not Be Heard Clearly by the AI
Next comes the key question, why might the AI not capture your speech the way you’d expect? Well, the AI isn’t like a person. It doesn’t “listen” to you, it breaks down your speech into chunks like pronunciation, fluency, and clarity. And it individually and collectively considers all these factors to give you a score.
Here are some reasons the AI might not score you well:
- You might pronounce words clearly, but the AI could misinterpret them as it doesn’t always get regional accents or unusual sounds right.
- Speaking too quickly can confuse the AI but speaking too slowly can make you sound less fluent.
Little distractions or not being close enough to the mic can affect your score. - The AI loves smooth, natural flow, so, if you’re hesitating or pausing too much, it can negatively impact your score
Now that we know what could possibly go wrong, let’s look at how you can fix it.
Tips for Getting the AI to Hear You Right
You don’t need to completely change how you speak. Just a few little adjustments here and there can make a big difference. Here’s what you should do:
1. Speak Clearly
The first thing the AI checks is how clearly you pronounce words. You don’t need to sound perfect, just make sure each word is clear enough. If you say a word but it sounds like another one, the AI might get confused.
A good trick is to record yourself saying some of the tricky words. Play it back and see if you sound clear. If not, just practice those words a few times and see how you sound.
2. Don’t Rush
When we’re nervous, it’s easy to speed up. But if you talk too fast, the AI won’t catch everything. On the flip side, if you talk too slowly, it might sound like you’re hesitating. It’s all about finding that middle ground where you speak at a pace that feels natural.
Try recording yourself and listen back. Does it sound rushed? Too slow? Consider these factors and adjust as you go. Some variation in speed is fine, but don’t rush just to finish the answer.
3. Don’t Mumble
It’s easy to mumble, especially when you’re thinking fast or feeling nervous. But mumbling is a huge issue as AI can’t catch what you’re saying if your words are too jumbled. Even if you’re speaking fast, make sure your words are clear.
A simple way to practice is by reading out loud or doing tongue twisters. They might feel silly, but they’ll help your mouth get used to saying things more clearly.
4. Skip the “Ums” and “Uhs”
We all use filler words like “um,” “uh,” or “like” when we’re thinking. But the AI doesn’t care if you need a second to think, it just wants you to sound smooth. If you’re using too many fillers, it might hurt your fluency score.
Instead of saying “um,” just pause for a second. It’s fine to take a moment to think, and it’ll make you sound more confident and less rushed. You might not even realise how often you use fillers until you listen to yourself, so recording is key here.
5. Practice with Mock Tests
The best way to get better is to practice, right? Mock tests are the perfect way to do that. They help you get used to the format, timing, and what the AI is looking for. Plus, they give you a feel for how to pace yourself during the test.
When you practice, time yourself and answer each question like it’s the real test. That’ll help you get used to the pressure and make you feel more confident when it’s time for the actual exam.
6. Use Natural Intonation
When you talk in a flat, monotone voice, it sounds a little robotic. The AI picks up on this and might not score you as well. To sound more natural, try to vary your tone a little but don’t overdo it, just make sure your voice rises and falls a bit as you speak.
Listen to how native speakers talk and notice how they change their tone when emphasising certain words. You don’t have to copy them exactly, but try to make your speech a little more dynamic as it’ll make you sound smoother and more fluent.
Final Thoughts
Getting the AI to understand you is about being clear, smooth, and natural. You don’t need to sound like a native speaker, just make sure the AI can follow along. Focus on clear pronunciation, steady pace, and sounding confident, and you’ll be fine.
So, keep practicing, don’t overthink it, and you’ll be good to go. For more assistance on this front you can connect with us at Englishwise. Our English language experts are always eager to guide you in your PTE journey.
