Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
The task and its timing
Pearson's PTE Core page says the audio plays automatically, sometimes with an image, and the microphone opens when it finishes, with no short tone. You cannot replay the audio and can record once. If you wait more than three seconds, the recording stops and the status changes to 'Completed'.
| Detail | PTE Core | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Items per test | 5–6 | 5–6 |
| Question length | 3–9 seconds | 3–9 seconds |
| Time to answer | 10 seconds | 10 seconds |
| Tone before speaking | No | No |
| Scoring | Correct/incorrect, vocabulary 1 or 0 | Correct/incorrect, vocabulary 1 or 0 |
| Skills scored | Listening and Speaking | Listening |
What counts as correct
The PTE Core Score Guide has one trait, vocabulary: 1 for appropriate word choice, 0 for inappropriate. Pearson's format page says the answer is scored on how appropriate the words you use are, and that no credit is given for no response or an incorrect response.
Keep it short. Pearson says there are no extra marks for additional words, and gives an example where a one-word answer and a short phrase score the same.
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Why it matters more in Core
Because the Core Score Guide feeds these items into Speaking as well as Listening, a quick correct word helps two skill scores. The PTE Core format page also lists vocabulary among the areas the task affects. The PTE Academic Score Guide uses the same vocabulary trait and item count but counts its version towards Listening only.
Frequently asked questions
Does Answer Short Question count towards speaking in PTE Core?+
Yes. The PTE Core Score Guide lists Listening and Speaking.
Is there negative marking?+
No. A wrong answer or no answer scores 0.
Should I answer in a full sentence?+
No need. Pearson says there are no extra marks for additional words.
What if I don't know the answer?+
Say your best guess straight away. Silence of more than three seconds closes the recording.
Keep reading
Related
- PTE Academic Answer Short Question scoring
- What happens if you stop speaking for 3 seconds
- Answer Short Question practice
- All 3112 guides
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