Repeat Sentence in PTE

Repeat Sentence in PTE

What is Repeat Sentence in PTE Speaking?

Repeat Sentence is the second task in the PTE Speaking section.
You will hear a short sentence (typically 10–15 words) spoken by a native English speaker. After the audio finishes, you must repeat the sentence exactly as you heard it — word for word, with correct pronunciation, intonation, and fluency.

This task tests:

• Listening (understanding spoken English accurately)
• Short-term memory (retaining the exact wording)
• Speaking fluency & pronunciation

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Time for Each Question

Action	Time Allowed
Audio plays	3–9 seconds (sentence length varies)
Preparation	None – you must start speaking immediately after the beep
Recording time	15 seconds (to repeat the sentence)

Important: The microphone opens automatically after a short beep. You have about 15 seconds to speak. If you finish early, stay silent until the recording stops.

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Number of Questions in the Test

In a standard PTE Academic test, you will get 10 to 12 Repeat Sentence questions.

The exact number varies slightly depending on the test version.

They appear randomly mixed with other Speaking tasks (Read Aloud, Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Answer Short Question).

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Scoring in Speaking & Listening Modules

Repeat Sentence contributes points to both Speaking and Listening.

Module	Percentage Contribution	What is scored?
Speaking	~30–35% of total Speaking   score	Content (exact words), pronunciation, oral fluency
Listening	~25% of total Listening score	Content accuracy (words correct)

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Scoring breakdown for each Repeat Sentence question

Criterion	Weight	Details
Content (0–3)	3 points	3 pts = all words correct; 2 pts = 75% correct; 1 pt = 50% correct; 0 pts = <50% or no response
Pronunciation (0–5)	5 points	Native-like clarity, stress, intonation
Oral Fluency (0–5)	5 points	Smooth, natural pace; no hesitations, false starts, or repetitions

Tip: Even if you miss a few words, speaking fluently with good pronunciation will save your score.

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Useful & Crucial Tips for Repeat Sentence

Before the audio plays

• Close your eyes – Reduces visual distractions and focuses your brain on listening.
• Do not write anything – Writing takes too long. Use pure auditory memory.
• Listen for meaning – Understand the sentence as a whole, not just isolated words.

During the audio

• Focus on the first 3–4 words – These set the structure (e.g., "The professor mentioned that…").
• Catch the last 2–3 words – Endings are often forgotten; pay extra attention.
• Mimic intonation – Copy the speaker's rising/falling pitch. PTE’s algorithm rewards natural speech.

After the audio (when microphone opens)

• Start speaking immediately – Any silence over 3 seconds will close the mic.
• Speak at a natural, steady pace – Not too fast, not too slow.
• If you forget a word – Skip it and continue fluently. Never stop or correct yourself.
• Use chunking – Group words into 3–4 natural phrases (e.g., "The students / who studied regularly / passed easily").

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General strategy

• Practice shadowing daily – Listen to short English sentences (news, YouTube) and repeat instantly.
• Prioritize fluency over perfection – 90% correct words said fluently scores higher than 100% correct with hesitations.
• Don’t add or change words – No “um,” “uh,” “the” if not there, or plural/singular changes.
• If you remember only half – Say that half confidently. Partial content (50%) gives 1 point.
• Train your memory – Start with 8-word sentences, increase to 15 words over 2 weeks.

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Sample Repeat Sentence Questions (with real test style)

Easy (8–10 words)

The meeting has been postponed until next Friday.
Please submit your assignments by the end of the day.
Students must bring their identification cards to the exam.

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Medium (11–13 words)

The guest speaker will arrive at the conference hall around two o’clock.
Our professor recommended reading the first three chapters before Monday.
Many scientists believe that climate change is accelerating rapidly.
You are required to turn off all electronic devices during takeoff.
The library will close early today due to a staff training session.

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Hard (14–16 words)

The university’s new policy on plagiarism will take effect next semester.
Although it was raining heavily, the outdoor event continued as planned.
The results of the experiment were published in a well-known scientific journal.
Please ensure that you have completed all sections of the registration form.
The museum will offer free admission to children under twelve years old.

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Very Hard (17–20 words – for high scores)

The economics lecture that was scheduled for Thursday has been moved to the main auditorium.
Before leaving the classroom, make sure you have returned all borrowed textbooks to the front desk.

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How to practice effectively for Repeat Sentence

Method	Example
YouTube “PTE Repeat Sentence” videos	Search: “PTE Repeat Sentence 2025” – play 50 sentences daily
Mobile apps	APEUni, PTE Tutorials, E2 PTE – use their repeat sentence drills
Shadow news anchors	Listen to BBC or NPR short news clips (10 seconds) and repeat
Memory training	Use online “digit span” or “word span” games to increase auditory memory

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Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake	Why it hurts	Fix
Pausing mid-sentence	Fluency score drops dramatically	Practice chunking; keep going
Changing word order	Content score reduces	Repeat exactly, even if odd
Adding “um” or “like”	Fluency and content both penalized	Stay silent instead of fillers
Whispering or mumbling	Pronunciation score low	Speak clearly, even in test booth
Trying to write notes	Miss the next 3–4 words	Trust your memory only

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Quick summary card for Govinda

Aspect	Detail
Task	Repeat a sentence exactly as heard
Number of questions	10–12
Audio length	3–9 seconds (10–15 words average)
Recording time	15 seconds per question
Speaking contribution	~35% of Speaking score
Listening contribution	~25% of Listening score
Most important	Fluency + pronunciation > 100% accuracy
#1 tip	Listen for meaning, not individual words

 

10 Real PTE Repeat Sentence Questions (put exactly as it is):

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10 Real PTE Repeat Sentence Questions

No.	Question (Sentence to Repeat)
1	Please keep the keys with you because the front door often locks automatically.
2	If finance is a cause for concern, scholarships may be available.
3	Carbon fiber is used abundantly in sports vehicles because of its lightweight strength and durability.
4	The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked ethical concerns about job displacement and potential misuse.
5	Professor Smith's arrival for the lecture today will be delayed.
6	A thorough bibliography is needed at the end of every assignment.
7	The campus library will be closed during the winter break.
8	While renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly efficient, they still face challenges in terms of storage and distribution.
9	All students are encouraged to vote in the forthcoming elections.
10	The paper has the potential to transform life sciences.

 

How to Practice These Sentences

• Listen once only — just like the real test (no replay!).
• Repeat immediately — start speaking within 3 seconds of the audio ending.
• Record yourself — compare with the original to check accuracy.
• Use chunking — group words into 2-3 meaningful blocks while listening.

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Target for each score band:

• 50–65: 50%+ words correct + fluent delivery
• 65–79: 70%+ words correct + natural pace
• 79+: 90%+ words correct + near-native fluency