1. The Task Mechanics

You will have 35–40 seconds to prepare by looking at the text, followed by 35–40 seconds to record your response.

• Preparation Time: Use this time to identify difficult words and practice the rhythm of the sentences.
• Recording: Start speaking immediately after you hear the tone. If you remain silent for more than 3 seconds, the recording stops.
• Content: You will see 6–7 Read Aloud items in your test.

2. Scoring Pillars: Fluency & Pronunciation

The AI is looking for a natural, steady flow of speech rather than a fast one.

• Chunking: Group words into meaningful phrases. Don't read word-by-word; read in logical "chunks."
• Intonation: Rise and fall your voice naturally. Pay attention to commas (slight pause) and full stops (longer pause).
• No Self-Correction: If you misread a word, do not go back. Keep moving forward to save your fluency score.
• Confidence: Speak at a moderate volume. Do not whisper or shout, as it confuses the AI's clarity detection.

3. How to Handle Difficult Words

Encountering an unfamiliar word is common. Don't let it ruin your performance.

1. Don't Hesitate: If you don't know a word, guess the pronunciation quickly and move on.
2. Maintain Flow: Stumbling over one word is better than pausing for 2 seconds to figure it out.
3. Phonetics: Use your preparation time to break long words into smaller syllables (e.g., "en-thu-si-as-ti-cal-ly").

4. Targeted Practice Resources

5. Next Steps in Your Prep

After mastering Read Aloud, move to the next speaking task: PTE Repeat Sentence. Understanding how these tasks work together is key to our 6-Week Training Plan.