Practice every PTE Core Speaking task
Answer each task out loud on the timings Pearson publishes, from Read Aloud to Respond to a Situation. See estimated scores on Pearson's scales, a 10–90 Speaking estimate and the CLB levels it covers, shown as an estimated range.
PTE Core Speaking at a glance
As of September 2026, the Speaking part of PTE Core has five scored task types and an unscored Personal Introduction: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation and Answer Short Question. There is no Retell Lecture and no Summarize Group Discussion. PTE Core is based on everyday English, where PTE Academic is based on academic English.
Speaking and Writing share Part 1 of the test, which takes 50–65 minutes. PTE Core is taken at a test center. You hear each audio prompt once and record each answer once, and the microphone closes after three seconds of silence.
PTE Core is for Canada: IRCC accepts it for permanent residence through economic immigration programs, for citizenship and for post-graduation work permits. It is not accepted for Australian visas.
Sources: Pearson: PTE Core test format, Speaking & Writing · Pearson: PTE Core · Pearson: Prepare for PTE Core
The speaking tasks and their timings
Timings Pearson publishes, as of September 2026. The number of items is the range Pearson publishes for one test.
| Task | Items per test | What you do | Preparation | Answer time | Scored on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Introduction | 1 | Introduce yourself. | 25 s to read the prompt | 30 s | Not scored |
| Read Aloud | 6–7 | Read a text of up to 60 words aloud. | 30–40 s, depending on the length of the text | 30–40 s, depending on the length of the text | Content (words read correctly), Pronunciation 0–5, Fluency 0–5 |
| Repeat Sentence | 10–12 | Hear a 3–9 second sentence once and repeat it exactly. | None: recording starts when the audio ends | Up to 15 s | Content 0–3, Pronunciation 0–5, Fluency 0–5 |
| Describe Image | 3–4 | Describe a picture, map, chart or process in detail. | 25 s | 40 s | Content 0–5, Pronunciation 0–5, Fluency 0–5 |
| Respond to a SituationScored on Appropriacy | 2–4 | Read and hear an everyday situation of up to 60 words, then respond as if you were in it. | 20 s after the audio | 40 s | Appropriacy 0–3, Pronunciation 0–5, Fluency 0–5 |
| Answer Short Question | 5–6 | Hear a 3–9 second question and answer in one word or a few words. | None: recording starts when the audio ends | 10 s | Vocabulary: correct or incorrect |
- Read Aloud counts toward Reading and Speaking. Repeat Sentence and Answer Short Question count toward Listening and Speaking. Describe Image and Respond to a Situation count toward Speaking.
- On every speaking task, recording stops if you are silent for three seconds, including when you do not start speaking.
- Start speaking as soon as the status changes to Recording. A short beep may play; don't wait for it.
- Repeat Sentence answer time is from Pearson's PTE Core webinar for teachers (February 2024); the other timings are from the format page and the Score Guide. Last checked 23 September 2026.
Sources: Pearson: PTE Core test format, Speaking & Writing · Pearson: PTE Core Test Taker Score Guide (January 2026) · Pearson webinar: PTE Core Speaking and Writing for teachers (February 2024)
How practice works
The practice area follows the PTE Core task flow: one recording per answer, a clock on every step, and feedback built from what you actually said.
Every task, on the published timings
All six tasks, including the Personal Introduction, with the preparation and answer times Pearson publishes. Read Aloud time is set from the length of each text, Respond to a Situation gives you 20 seconds to prepare, and every prompt plays once.
The 3-second rule
Recording stops after three seconds of silence on every task, as Pearson describes for PTE Core. You build the habit of starting as soon as Recording appears.
Practice sets and mock tests
Practice one task at a time with feedback after every answer. Take a full speaking mock with as many items as the shortest real test, or a quick mock with one to three items of each scored task, and see your results at the end.
Estimated scores on Pearson's scales
Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence and Describe Image answers get estimated scores for Content, Pronunciation (0–5) and Fluency (0–5). Respond to a Situation answers get Appropriacy (0–3), Pronunciation and Fluency. Answer Short Question is marked correct or incorrect, and the Personal Introduction gets feedback without a score. Your results add a Speaking estimate on the 10–90 scale and an estimated CLB range.
Word-level feedback
See which words you missed, changed or added in Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence, and a pronunciation score for the words that need the most work.
Feedback on register and content
For Respond to a Situation, see whether your tone, politeness and level of detail fit the person and the situation. For Describe Image, see the key features you covered and missed, and a stronger version of your answer.
PTE Core speaking question bank
Realistic practice questions written to the official format.
Every question is original, written for Lingo Copilot to the task formats Pearson publishes. Real test content is confidential and is never used.
- A separate PTE Core set in everyday English: work, home, services and community situations, not university life.
- Browse the questions for every speaking task, and filter by difficulty, topic or what you have already practiced.
- Study a question before you answer it: a strategy for that question is always visible, and on-screen prompts such as Read Aloud texts, Describe Image pictures and Respond to a Situation prompts can be studied too.
- Transcripts, answer keys and model answers unlock once you have recorded the question, or when you choose Reveal answers.
- For Respond to a Situation: who you are speaking to, the register to use, what to include and avoid, and what each Appropriacy level looks like, with model answers at two levels.
- Describe Image covers picture sequences, maps, charts, tables and processes, drawn as clear illustrations. In the real test an image may be a photograph.
- Keep private notes on each question: ideas and key facts, not a script.
- Mock tests draw only from this bank and pick questions you have not studied first. If you studied a question before a mock, your results say so.
Use model answers to see how a good answer is built, then answer in your own words. Pearson's lowest bands cover answers built on pre-prepared or memorized material.
How PTE Core Speaking is scored
What Pearson publishes
- Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence and Describe Image are scored on Content, Pronunciation (0–5) and Fluency (0–5). Respond to a Situation has no Content trait: it is scored on Appropriacy (0–3), Pronunciation and Fluency. Answer Short Question is scored on Vocabulary, correct or incorrect.
- Appropriacy looks at whether you say what the situation needs clearly and politely, in a formal or informal register that suits the person you are speaking to, with the level of detail the situation calls for.
- Describe Image Content (0–5) rewards covering the key elements of the image, how they relate, and a conclusion or implication. The lowest band covers answers built on pre-prepared or memorized material.
- PTE Core speaking is scored automatically. Pearson trains its scoring on ratings by human experts, and a human expert re-marks your test only if you request a paid rescore.
- Each skill is reported on a 10–90 scale, next to an overall score that is not an average of the skills. Pearson does not publish how item scores are weighted into the Speaking score.
What our estimates are
- Trait scores are AI estimates on the same scales, from speech analysis of your recording and a language model that reads your transcript.
- The Speaking estimate maps your trait scores onto 10–90. It is shown as a range because Pearson's weighting is not public.
- Next to it you see an estimated CLB range: the CLB levels your estimated Speaking range covers in Pearson's published alignment. It is not an official CLB result; IRCC only uses results from approved tests.
- For a score from Pearson's official scoring engine, take one of Pearson's PTE Core Scored Practice Tests before test day.
AI estimate for practice. Not an official score.
Sources: Pearson: PTE Core Test Taker Score Guide (January 2026) · Pearson: PTE Core scoring · Pearson: Rescore policy · Pearson: PTE Core Scored Practice Test
PTE Core Speaking scores and CLB levels
Pearson publishes how PTE Core scores line up with Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels, and IRCC uses the same bands. The Speaking bands are narrow, so a few points can move a score across a level: CLB 7 is 68–75 and CLB 8 is 76–83.
| CLB level | Speaking score |
|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89–90 |
| CLB 9 | 84–88 |
| CLB 8 | 76–83 |
| CLB 7 | 68–75 |
| CLB 6 | 59–67 |
| CLB 5 | 51–58 |
| CLB 4 | 42–50 |
- Bands from Pearson's PTE Core Score Guide (January 2026). IRCC publishes the same bands on its Express Entry page (CLB 7–10) and its post-graduation work permit page (CLB 3–10). Pearson reviews the alignment from time to time, so check IRCC for the current table. Last checked 23 September 2026.
- Our estimated CLB range is a practice estimate derived from an estimated Speaking score. It is not an official CLB result.
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) is the national standard maintained by the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. Lingo Copilot is not affiliated with or endorsed by CCLB, IRCC or Pearson.
Sources: Pearson: PTE Core Test Taker Score Guide (January 2026) · IRCC: Express Entry language test results · IRCC: Post-graduation work permit, language level from test results
CLB minimums for common IRCC programs
IRCC sets a minimum CLB level for each program, for your first official language. A few examples, as of September 2026:
| Program | Minimum level |
|---|---|
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program | CLB 7 in all four abilities |
| Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class | CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs |
| Express Entry: Federal Skilled Trades Program | CLB 5 in speaking and listening, CLB 4 in reading and writing |
| Canadian citizenship (ages 18–54) | CLB 4 in speaking and listening (PTE Core: 42 or higher in speaking, 28 or higher in listening) |
| Post-graduation work permit | CLB 7 for university programs, CLB 5 for other programs |
- IRCC accepts results that are less than two years old. Requirements change: check the IRCC page for your program before you book. Last checked 23 September 2026.
Sources: IRCC: Express Entry language test results · IRCC: Citizenship proof of language · IRCC: Post-graduation work permit eligibility · IRCC: Express Entry language testing
Who PTE Core is for
PTE Core is a general English test for Canada. Pearson lists three uses: permanent residence through economic immigration programs, Canadian citizenship, and post-graduation work permits. IRCC has accepted it since 30 January 2024.
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts three English tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. PTE Academic is not accepted for Express Entry.
PTE Core is not accepted for Australian visas: the Department of Home Affairs lists PTE Academic, not PTE Core. Pearson also says that to apply to a Canadian university or college you need PTE Academic instead. In either case, practice for PTE Academic.
- Pearson, IRCC and Home Affairs set and update these rules. Last checked 23 September 2026.
Sources: Pearson: PTE Core · IRCC: Express Entry language testing · IRCC: Addition of Pearson language test (January 2024) · Home Affairs: English language requirements
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| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
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| Your results and attempt history | Included | Included |
| Practice by task with instant scoring | Not included | Unlimited |
| Quick mock tests | Not included | Included |
| Question bank with answers and model answers | Not included | Included |
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PTE Core Speaking questions
What are the PTE Core Speaking tasks?
As of September 2026 there are five scored speaking tasks: Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image, Respond to a Situation and Answer Short Question. An unscored Personal Introduction comes first. Retell Lecture and Summarize Group Discussion are PTE Academic tasks and are not part of PTE Core.
Is this the same as PTE Academic practice?
No. PTE Core practice has its own questions in everyday English, and the speaking section is different: there is no Retell Lecture or Summarize Group Discussion, Respond to a Situation gives you 20 seconds to prepare and is scored on Appropriacy (0–3), Describe Image Content is scored 0–5, and Read Aloud also counts toward Reading. Pearson says PTE Academic preparation materials are not suited to PTE Core, because PTE Core is based on everyday English.
Do you use real PTE Core questions?
No. Every question is original, written for Lingo Copilot to the task formats Pearson publishes. Real test content is confidential, and using it can get a test taker's score cancelled, so it is never used here.
Can I use PTE Core for an Australian visa?
No. The Australian Department of Home Affairs lists PTE Academic, not PTE Core. PTE Core is for IRCC: Canadian permanent residence through economic immigration programs, citizenship and post-graduation work permits.
What PTE Core Speaking score do I need for Express Entry?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program asks for CLB 7 in all four abilities, which is 68 or higher in PTE Core Speaking. Minimums differ by program: for example, the Federal Skilled Trades Program asks for CLB 5 in speaking (51 or higher), and citizenship asks for CLB 4 (42 or higher). Check the IRCC page for your program before you book.
Will I see my CLB level?
You see an estimated CLB range: the CLB levels your estimated Speaking range covers in Pearson's published PTE Core to CLB alignment. It is a practice estimate, not an official CLB result. IRCC only uses results from approved tests.
Should I memorize a template for Respond to a Situation or Describe Image?
No. Pearson's lowest Describe Image band covers pre-prepared or memorized material, and Appropriacy 0 describes short, pre-packaged phrases that do not fit the situation. Model answers here show how an answer is built for one situation; learn the moves, then answer in your own words.
Why does the recording stop early?
As in the real test, recording stops after three seconds of silence, including when you do not start speaking. Start as soon as the status changes to Recording. A short beep may play; don't wait for it.
Is my Lingo Copilot score an official PTE Core score?
No. It is an AI estimate for practice, on the scales Pearson publishes. Pearson's PTE Core Scored Practice Tests are marked by the official scoring engine.
Try a full PTE Core speaking mock test
Your first full mock is free: every speaking task on the published timings, with an estimated score, an estimated CLB range and feedback on every answer.