Speaking · Part 1 · Speaking & Writing
PTE Retell Lecture Practice
Your ability to understand spoken academic content and summarise the main points orally.
Content part-scored by humans + AIListeningSpeaking
Practise Retell Lecture
Includes the recording interface, model response and self-check score analysis.
Before you start: Retell Lecture tipsHide
Do
- Note-take in keywords and arrows: topic → point 1 → point 2 → implication.
- Say what the lecture was about in one sentence, then cover 2–3 main points in your own words.
- Link ideas with simple connectors: “because”, “as a result”, “however”.
Avoid
- Writing full sentences in your notes and missing the next idea
- Opening with a long memorised introduction that uses up your 40 seconds
- Repeating random keywords without connecting them
More questions for this task are coming soon.
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How Retell Lecture works
Timing, what Pearson scores, common mistakes and our strategy.
Preparation10 seconds
Response40 seconds
SkillsListening + Speaking
ScoringPartial credit
1 Task overview
You listen to (and sometimes watch) a short lecture, then retell it in your own words.
2 What Pearson assesses
- Content — accuracy of the main points
- Pronunciation
- Oral fluency
Partial credit. Integrated task. Content is part-scored by human experts as well as AI.
3 · Preparation time
10 seconds
4 · Response requirements
40 seconds
5 Common mistakes
- Writing full sentences in your notes and missing the next idea
- Opening with a long memorised introduction that uses up your 40 seconds
- Repeating random keywords without connecting them
6 PTE Junction strategy
- Note-take in keywords and arrows: topic → point 1 → point 2 → implication.
- Say what the lecture was about in one sentence, then cover 2–3 main points in your own words.
- Link ideas with simple connectors: “because”, “as a result”, “however”.
7 Related lessons
Last reviewed: 26 September 2026