Speaking & Writing
Retell Lecture
You hear a lecture of up to 90 seconds, often with an image, then retell the main points in your own words.
- Listening
- Speaking
- Items on a test
- About 2–3
- Lecture
- Up to 90 seconds
- Prepare
- 10 seconds
- Speak
- 40 seconds
Item counts vary slightly by test form. The ranges follow Pearson’s PTE Academic test-taker score guide.
What this task asks
The audio starts automatically. An image related to the lecture may be on screen, and you have about three seconds before the audio to glance at it. You may take notes while you listen. After the audio you have 10 seconds, then 40 seconds to speak. You hear the lecture once and record once.
The retell has to be in your own words. The content scale explicitly marks down responses that repeat lecture language without reformulating it.
How scoring works
Content is scored from 0 to 6. The strongest responses paraphrase the main ideas, expand on important points, and connect those ideas so a listener can follow. Weaker responses are inaccurate, stick to minor details, or string together disconnected words from the lecture.
The item contributes to Listening and Speaking. Reading is only used to follow the instructions.
Pronunciation and oral fluency are each scored from 0 to 5. A high pronunciation score means vowels, consonants and word stress are easy for a regular speaker of English to understand. Pearson accepts regional and national varieties of English when most listeners can understand them. A high oral fluency score means a steady pace and natural phrasing, without long pauses, repetitions or false starts.
The automated system scores this task, and a human expert reviews Content before the score is finalised. Pronunciation and oral fluency, where they apply, stay with the automated scoring.
Timings and scoring follow Pearson’s published format for Speaking & Writing.
Tips that match the task
- 1
Use the image, in those few seconds before the audio, to predict the topic and the kind of vocabulary you might hear.
- 2
Note content words, numbers and relationships, not full sentences. Symbols such as arrows and plus signs are faster than words.
- 3
Start with the topic, then the main points in a logical order, then one implication or result if the lecture gave you one.
- 4
Paraphrase. “The speaker argued that…” plus a reformulated point scores as comprehension. A list of keywords copied from the lecture does not.
- 5
Connect points with simple, real links such as “so”, “then” and “which”. Pearson’s tips specifically warn against mechanical linkers that do not join the ideas.
- 6
Speak for most of the 40 seconds. You cannot cover a 90-second lecture word for word, so choose the main points and develop them.
- 7
If you lose a detail, skip it. Inventing a fact the lecture did not say is an accuracy problem.
Common mistakes
- Using a memorised introduction that is not about this lecture. Pearson’s test tips say a significant amount of pre-memorised content scores 0 for content, and fluency and pronunciation are then not scored.
- Listing keywords with no relationship between them. The scale wants characters, actions and how the points connect.
- Trying to repeat everything and finishing mid-sentence when the 40 seconds end.
- Repeating the lecture’s sentences instead of reformulating them.
- Adding filler that is not in the lecture, such as a stock conclusion you use for every retell.
Frequently asked questions
How long is PTE Retell Lecture?
The lecture lasts up to 90 seconds. You then have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak. A test form includes about 2–3 of these items.
Do I have to mention everything in the lecture?
No. The lecture is longer than the speaking time. Pearson’s tips say to cover the key points, plus the relationships between them, rather than every detail.
Which skills does Retell Lecture score?
Listening and Speaking. Content is 0–6 and is reviewed by a human expert as well as the automated system. Pronunciation and oral fluency are 0–5.
Practise Retell Lecture on a real question
Open a free practice question in the LearnPTE app and try this task with instant feedback.