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 you have 25 seconds to study the image and prepare, then hear a short tone and start speaking. Its sample prompt gives 40 seconds to respond. Finish before the progress bar reaches the end, when 'Recording' changes to 'Completed'. The Score Guide lists 3–4 items, partial credit, Speaking only.
Content: 0–5
The PTE Core Score Guide's content scale:
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Describes all elements of the image and their relationships, possible development and conclusion or implications |
| 4 | Describes all the key elements and their relations, referring to implications or conclusions |
| 3 | Deals with most key elements and refers to their implications or conclusions |
| 2 | Deals with only one key element and refers to an implication or conclusion; basic understanding of several core elements |
| 1 | Describes some basic elements but does not make clear their interrelations or implications |
| 0 | Mentions some disjointed elements; may not deal properly with the prompt because of significant pre-prepared or memorised material |
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Pronunciation, fluency and the Academic version
Pronunciation runs from 0 (Non-English) to 5 (Highly proficient) and fluency from 0 (Disfluent) to 5 (Highly proficient). Pearson's tip is to organise the answer: the main idea first, then details, then a conclusion or implication (PTE Core).
PTE Academic's Describe Image gives 40 seconds to answer, with content also reviewed by a human expert (Academic format page), and scores content from 0 to 6 (Score Guide).
Frequently asked questions
How long is the preparation time in PTE Core Describe Image?+
25 seconds to study the image before the tone.
What is the maximum content score?+
5 in PTE Core. Pronunciation and fluency are also 0–5 each.
Do templates work in PTE Core Describe Image?+
The 0 content band mentions significant pre-prepared or memorised material, and content 0 means no points for the response.
Which skill does it count towards?+
Speaking only.
Keep reading
Related
- PTE Academic Describe Image scoring
- Speaking before the tone in PTE
- Describe Image practice
- All 3112 guides
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