PTE Academic · Speaking task

PTE Academic Answer Short Question

Answer Short Question is a PTE Academic task in the speaking part of the test. You hear a question of 3 to 9 seconds, sometimes with an image, and answer it in one word or a few words within 10 seconds. There is no tone before the microphone opens and you can answer only once. A test has 5 or 6 items.

Each answer is scored correct (1 point) or incorrect (0), on whether the words you use are appropriate. Although you speak, Pearson counts this task toward Listening only: your Speaking score is not affected by it.

Last reviewed against the official sources listed below.

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Answer Short Question at a glance

PTE Academic Answer Short Question, tests taken from 7 August 2025
DetailAnswer Short Question
Items in the test5–6
What you doHear a question and answer with a single word or a few words
Prompt length3–9 seconds of audio, played once; you may also see an image
Preparation timeNone: the microphone opens when the audio finishes
Start of recordingNo short tone. Start when the status changes to "Recording".
Time to answer10 seconds
AttemptsOne recording. You cannot replay the audio.
3-second ruleRecording stops if you wait more than 3 seconds to start, or stop for 3 seconds while speaking
Scored onCorrect (1) or incorrect (0): whether the words in your answer are appropriate
Counts towardListening only. Pearson says your speaking and writing skills are not tested by this task.
  • No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response, and there are no extra marks for extra words.

Sources: Pearson: PTE Academic test format, Speaking & Writing · Pearson: PTE Academic Test Taker Score Guide (PDF)

How Answer Short Question is scored

Pearson scores each answer as correct or incorrect on one trait, Vocabulary: 1 point for an appropriate word choice, 0 for an inappropriate one. A short, accurate answer earns the point; a full sentence with the same answer earns the same point and nothing more.

Pearson's own example: for "What do you call a person who comes first in a race or competition?", the answers "Winner" and "A winner is a person who comes first in a race or competition" score the same.

  • It is the only speaking-part task Pearson scores right or wrong rather than with partial credit.
  • Pearson's format page lists no Pronunciation or Oral fluency score for this task, but the answer still has to be clear enough for the system to recognize it.

Sources: Pearson: PTE Academic Test Taker Score Guide (PDF) · Pearson: PTE Academic test format, Speaking & Writing · Pearson: PTE Academic Test Tips, Speaking (PDF, January 2026)

How to approach Answer Short Question

Speed and clarity matter more than anything else here. These steps follow Pearson's own tips.

  1. 1

    Listen for the question word

    What, who, which or how many tells you what kind of answer is needed. Pearson's tips say the answer is likely to be a noun or an adjective.

  2. 2

    Answer straight away

    There is no tone. Start as soon as the question finishes and the status shows "Recording".

  3. 3

    Keep it to a word or two

    There are no extra marks for a sentence, and a long answer gives more chances to say something wrong.

  4. 4

    Guess if you are not sure

    Pearson's tips say there is no penalty for saying something incorrect, so a guess can only help.

  5. 5

    Speak clearly at a normal volume

    Too quiet, too loud or too slow can stop the system recognizing your answer.

  6. 6

    Do not take notes

    Pearson's tips say there is no time for note-taking in this task.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting for a tone

    There isn't one. Waiting more than three seconds ends the recording.

  • Answering in a full sentence

    It scores the same as one word and wastes your 10 seconds.

  • Skipping a hard question

    Silence scores 0; a guess might score 1.

  • Giving two answers ("a thermometer... or a barometer")

    Choose one. A hedge is unlikely to be judged appropriate.

  • Thinking it adds to your Speaking score

    Pearson counts it toward Listening only. Treat it as a listening and vocabulary task.

  • Overthinking a simple question

    Pearson's tips warn against thinking too long: the microphone closes after three seconds of silence.

Worked examples

Questions we wrote in the Answer Short Question style, with a short answer that would earn the point and a common way to lose it.

Our original example, not a real test item

Four short questions

Question 1

"What instrument do we use to measure temperature?"

Short answer: "A thermometer."

Question 2

"How many sides does a triangle have?"

Short answer: "Three."

Question 3

"What do you call the person who leads an orchestra?"

Short answer: "The conductor."

Question 4

"If a meeting is held every year, how often is it held?"

Short answer: "Annually." ("Once a year" also answers the question.)

Why it works

  • Each answer is a noun, number or adverb that answers exactly what was asked, which matches Pearson's advice.
  • "A thermometer, I think, or maybe a barometer" offers two answers; choose one.
  • Starting with "Um, let me think..." and then pausing risks the three-second stop.

Free PTE Academic Answer Short Question practice videos

New practice questions on YouTube every day: answer out loud before the timer ends, then compare with a model answer. Realistic practice written to the official format, never real test content.

Playlists

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Practise Answer Short Question with no tone

Create a free account for a 2-minute Quick score and one full PTE Academic speaking mock, with every speaking task on the official timings, Answer Short Question included, marked correct or incorrect. No credit card needed.

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Answer Short Question questions

Does Answer Short Question count toward Speaking?

No. Pearson's Score Guide and format page list it under Listening only, and the format page says your speaking and writing skills are not tested by this task.

How many Answer Short Question items are there?

Pearson's Score Guide gives 5–6 items per test. Each question is 3 to 9 seconds long, and you have 10 seconds to answer.

Is there a beep before Answer Short Question?

No. Pearson's format page says there is no short tone: start speaking as soon as the status shows "Recording".

Do I get more points for a full sentence?

No. Answers are correct or incorrect. Pearson says there are no extra marks for additional words.

What happens if I pause?

If you wait more than three seconds to start, or stop for three seconds while speaking, the recording stops and the item is marked completed. You then click Next.

Should I guess if I don't know the answer?

Yes. Pearson's tips say there is no penalty for saying something incorrect, and that the answer is likely to be a noun or an adjective.

Sources

Every timing, count and scoring fact on this page comes from these official pages. Last reviewed . Test owners change their tests: check the official pages before you book.