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Describe Image Exam Guidelines

The document provides information and instructions for a speaking task in an exam where test takers are given 25 seconds to study an image before describing it within 40 seconds after hearing a beep tone. It details how the task will be scored based on content, pronunciation, and oral fluency. An example is given showing how grades in these areas would be calculated to obtain a final score for the question. Tips are provided advising test takers to use templates and predefined sentences to enhance fluency and confidence, and emphasizing that accuracy is less important than fluency and pronunciation.

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Aakash Kadia
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94 views3 pages

Describe Image Exam Guidelines

The document provides information and instructions for a speaking task in an exam where test takers are given 25 seconds to study an image before describing it within 40 seconds after hearing a beep tone. It details how the task will be scored based on content, pronunciation, and oral fluency. An example is given showing how grades in these areas would be calculated to obtain a final score for the question. Tips are provided advising test takers to use templates and predefined sentences to enhance fluency and confidence, and emphasizing that accuracy is less important than fluency and pronunciation.

Uploaded by

Aakash Kadia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Question Prompt in Exam:

Introduction:
 Describe image appears on the screen for 40 seconds.
 You will have 25 seconds to study and prepare for your answer. After that, you will
hear a short beep tone.
Aware: Do not start speaking before microphone opens, otherwise your response will
not be recorded.

 Only after a beep and recording bar shows a first blue bar, start speaking.
 Speak as clearly as possible, finish your response within 40 seconds. After that status
will change from “Recording” to “completed”.
 You are only able to record your response once.
Overview:

Item Task Skill Prompt Timings


assessed length
Describe After 25 seconds of preparation time, Speaking NA 40 seconds
image Describe image within 40 seconds after
a beep tone.

Scoring pattern:
Task Total No of Speakin Writing Reading Listening
Contribution Qty g
Describe image 22.2 6-7 22.2
Out of 360 90

Scoring attributes:
Content 5 Describe all elements and description of the image, relative contents
and its correlation and structured development along with conclusion.
4 Describe all elements and description of the image, relative contents
and structured development along with conclusion.
3 Details of most key elements and conclusion.

2 Detail of any one key elements with average understanding of other


core elements and conclusion.
1 Only describing some basic elements without interrelation or
implications.
0 No relative content of the image.
Pronunciation 5 Native-like
4 Advanced
3 Good
2 Intermediate
1 Intrusive
0 Non-English
Oral Fluency 5 Native-like
4 Advanced
3 Good
2 Intermediate
1 Intrusive
0 Non-English

Source: https://pearsonpte.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Score-Guide-for-test-takers-V12-
20191030.pdf
Assumption of score evaluation:
Formula to calculate marks for individual question = Total weightage of marks / No of
question
So, if total weightage for describe image =22.2 for 6 questions,
Then, Marks for individual question = 22.2/6 = 3.7
Now, consider If test taker obtained below three enabling skills for describe image:

Criteria Out of Grade obtained


Content 5 4
Pronunciation 5 4
Oral fluency 5 4
Total 15 12

Then, his/her actual score for single describe image would be


Formula to calculate actual score = (grade obtained in enabling skills* Marks for individual
question)/Max grade of enabling skills.
So, actual score is (12*3.7)/15 = 2.96
Note: Based on the fact of PTE band descriptor chart.
Tips:
Use template to get high fluency even if you are good at speaking. This will help you when
you encounter a difficult image in the exam.
A few predefined fix flow of sentences will enhance your confidence.
Accuracy of content doesn’t matter much.
How long should you speak: 28-35 seconds is more than enough. Don’t stretch much.
Don’t correct and repeat yourself at any point. If you correct yourself for accurate content,
it will reduce your pronunciation and fluency mark on the other side.
Remember: It’s a test of how you speak rather than what you speak. It’s all about your
fluency and pronunciation and not your intelligence or accurate answers.
Have some enthusiasm instead of monotonous tone.

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