Many candidates fail in PTE Speaking section, not due to a lack of language skills but due to some avoidable mistakes. Whether you are learning on your own or taking coaching, being aware of these common mistakes can significantly improve your performance.
In this blog, we will go through some of the most common mistakes candidates make during PTE Speaking section and provide practical advice on how to avoid them. Our aim is to give you information that can help you speak confidently and clearly during your test.
Danger of Rushing Your Words
One of the most common mistakes in PTE Speaking is speaking too quickly. Many candidates feel the need to rush through their answers, fearing they would have enough time to express their thoughts. However, this approach often does more harm than good.
Why Speaking Too Fast Is a Problem?
When you speak too fast, a number of problems can arise. First, clarity suffers. PTE tests are scored by a computer algorithm that needs to understand every word you speak. If your speech is too fast, your words may get mixed up, making it difficult for the software to process your answer correctly.
Secondly, speaking fast increases the chances of making mistakes. You may skip important words, mispronounce phrases, or lose focus on your thoughts, leading to inconsistent and incoherent responses. Even if you manage to express everything correctly, your response may sound unnatural or overly rehearsed, which can negatively affect your score.
How to control your speed?
To avoid this mistake, practice speaking at a moderate pace. When joining PTE online coaching, your instructor can provide feedback on your speed and help you find the right balance. Focus on speaking clearly, emphasizing important words, and pausing naturally between thoughts. This will not only make your speech more understandable but also give you time to think and structure your answers better.
Remember – it is not about how much you speak but how well you speak it. Quality is more important than quantity in the PTE Speaking section.
Trap of Excessive Use of Fillers
Another frequent problem in PTE Speaking section is the excessive use of filler words such as “like,” “um,” “you know,” and “well.” While these words may seem harmless in normal conversation, they can substantially reduce your performance in a formal exam setting.
Why Fillers Are Problematic?
Fillers disrupt the flow of your speech and make you appear less confident. They may also indicate that you are unsure of what to say next, which the scoring algorithm may interpret as a lack of fluency. Additionally, excessive use of fillers can make your speech seem repetitive and unrefined, reducing the overall impact of your response.
For example, compare the following two sentences:
“Um, I think, like, the environment is really important, you know?”
“The environment is critically important.”
The second sentence is clear, straightforward, and authoritative, while the first sentence is hesitant and filled with unnecessary words.
Strategies to reduce fillers
Reducing fillers requires conscious effort and practice. One effective strategy is to pause instead of using fillers. Pausing gives you time to gather your thoughts, without resorting to words that add no value to your answer. This is a skill that can be honed through regular practice, especially under the guidance of PTE online coaching.
Another technique is to become more aware of your speech patterns. Record yourself speaking and listen for fillers. Once you identify where you use them, you can work on replacing those instances with intentional pauses or more meaningful language.
Pitfalls of Informal Language
Using informal or colloquial language is another common mistake that can negatively affect your PTE Speaking score. While informal language may be acceptable in everyday conversation, PTE test requires a more formal and academic tone.
Risks of Informality
Colloquial language, slang, and idioms can make your responses sound unprofessional. For example, saying “I’m going” instead of “I’m going to” or “kind of” instead of “kind of” can reduce the perceived quality of your speech. PTE Speaking section is designed to assess your ability to communicate in a professional and academic context, so it’s important to match your language to this setting.
Also, colloquial language can sometimes be ambiguous or imprecise. In a test where clarity and accuracy are important, this can lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of your responses.
How to maintain a formal tone?
To avoid this mistake, practice using more formal language in your daily speaking practice. Replace informal phrases with their formal equivalents. For example, instead of saying “the results were very good”, say “the results were quite satisfactory”.
Attending regular PTE mock test can be particularly beneficial here, as practice can help you identify and correct your use of informal language.
Reading academic articles, listening to professional presentations and practising structured speaking exercises can all help you develop a more formal tone in your responses.
Fragmented speech
Speaking in fragments rather than full sentences is another mistake many candidates make during PTE speaking section. This often happens when test takers are nervous or unsure of how to structure their thoughts under time pressure.
Problem with fragments
Fragmented speech can make your answer seem incomplete and disorganized. For example, saying “It’s important because…” instead of “Because it’s important” confuses the listener and doesn’t fully convey your idea. PTE scoring system evaluates your ability to present information in a clear, logical, and coherent way, so speaking in fragments can significantly affect your score.
Also, fragmented speech can indicate that you’re struggling to express your thoughts clearly, which can undermine the flow and coherence of your answer.
How to speak in complete sentences?
To avoid this mistake, practice speaking in complete sentences, even when answering simple questions. For example, if you are asked why you like a certain type of music, instead of saying “Because it’s relaxing,” respond by saying “I like this type of music because it’s relaxing.”
Additionally, practice structuring your answers using PTE’s preferred formats, such as the introduction-body-conclusion structure. This will help you organize your thoughts and express them in a way that is both complete and coherent.
During your PTE online coaching sessions, work with your instructor to develop strategies for effectively structuring your answers. They can provide you with exercises to practice forming complete sentences and help you hone your speaking skills.
