Original BandLadder material
It teaches a 4-step method: grid, frame, walk and land. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a model answer with its key moves highlighted, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.
With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.
The first 2 of 10 cards
the trap in this task
You report the first speaker at length and run out of time, or you list three opinions with nothing between them.
Maya said ten.1 Jonas said eight.2 Priya said nine.3
A list of opinions isn't a discussion. Show how the views relate.
the official figures
| PTE Academic | PTE Core | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Speak up to 2 min | Not in Core |
| Scored on | Content 6 · Fluency 5 · Pronunciation 5 | Not in Core |
| Counts for | Listening + Speaking | Not in Core |
Timings: Pearson's test format. Scoring and skills: its Score Guides (Academic July 2025, Core January 2026).
Card 3 of 10 onwards
Card 3 is free too
Create a free account for card 3; the other 7 come with any plan.
Create a free account →10 cards
Start Group Discussion: speaker by speaker free
Create a free account to read the first 3 cards. The full lesson and its PDF come with any plan.
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Questions
The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.
The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.
The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.
It is written for PTE Academic.
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