5 Strategies to Master the PTE Repeat Sentence Task

Many test-takers struggle with repeating the exact information they hear from the test recording.

This blog by PTE Magic reveals the top 5 strategies for mastering the Repeat Sentence task of the PTE Academic test, test-takers listen to a sentence and must try to repeat it as much as possible.

The audio lasts 3 to 9 seconds, and once the audio ends, you will have 15 seconds to answer the PTE Repeat Sentence task.

If you encounter the same issue, this blog is for you!

Key Takeaways

• Test-takers will listen to a sentence and must try to repeat it as much as possible in the Repeat Sentence task.
• While we do not encourage taking notes for this task, it can be the best method for candidates who struggle with repeating the exact information.
• Below, PTE Magic has concluded the best tips and strategies to help you perform the task more effectively.

Related:

• Proven PTE courses that can help you achieve 79+ quickly
• How to prepare for your next PTE test

Overview of the PTE Repeat Sentence Task

PTE Academic Repeat Sentence

Test-takers will listen to a sentence and must try to repeat it as much as possible in the Repeat Sentence task of the PTE Academic test. The audio lasts from 3 to 9 seconds, you will have 15 seconds to answer once the audio ends. 

For this question type, repeat the sentence exactly as you heard it from the audio. Pearson will automatically play the recording and you will see the “Recording” status once the audio stops. This is when you should start speaking immediately because there will be no starting signal.

Remember to finish speaking before the progress bar ends. Once it ends, the “Recording” status will switch to “Complete” and you cannot redo your answer, so pay attention.

PTE Core Repeat Sentence

Performing the Repeat Sentence task in the PTE Core test is similar to the PTE Academic test. The audio will also play automatically, and your mission is also to repeat the sentence exactly as they heard it. 

The only difference is that PTE Core test-takers will have 40 seconds to answer this task instead of 15 seconds, as in the PTE Academic test.

As with any section, make sure to speak clearly and at a steady pace to achieve a higher score on this task. Below, PTE Magic has concluded the best tips and strategies to help you understand the recording and repeat it effectively.

Related:

• PTE Core vs PTE Academic – A quick comparison

Best Strategies To Master PTE Repeat Sentence Task

Expand Your Vocabulary

Expanding your vocabulary helps you recognise and pronounce words in the PTE Repeat Sentence task more accurately. The wider your vocabulary, the better you can capture the words and phrases in a sentence. PTE Magic has listed some useful methods to enhance learners’ vocabulary:

• Read frequently: Different materials such as books and articles will bring you new words from various topics. 
• Use flashcards: Flashcards are an effective method with a two-sided function – one side for the new word and the other for its meaning. This method is useful for your memory when learning new words.
• Listen to podcasts: Podcasts can help you become familiar with how words are pronounced and used in specific contexts. Repeat the words while listening to practise your pronunciation.
• Have a vocabulary notebook: With each new word you learn, write it down in your notebook. We recommend using a small notebook to carry it around and review the new words whenever possible.
• Play word games: Scrabble and other crossword games are attractive study methods for learning new words and expanding your vocabulary. These games make you think and use your brain to play with words, which helps your memory remember them better.

Remember The Word Order

Remembering the words is not enough, you must memorise their order as well. Pay attention and try to capture the words while the recording is playing. 

Focus on the speaker’s speech and identify the keywords as you hear them. This method helps test-takers re-order the sentence more easily. Remembering the smaller phrases or parts of the sentence is also helpful.

Please note that you won’t receive full points if you mention the correct words in the wrong order. 

Listen For Meaning

First, you should understand the context of the audio. Understanding the meaning will help you remember the sentence more easily, rather than trying to memorise the words separately. 

While listening, try to use hints to guess the context. Context guessing will help you better collect information keywords. Remember to actively listen by concentrating 100% on the speaker to understand the recording’s meaning effectively. 

Note Taking

For some test-takers, the words they hear from the audio may not always appear the same in their minds. They might hear a word differently from other test-takers, resulting in answering with the wrong word. 

While we do not encourage taking notes for this task, it can be the best method for these candidates. This method helps prevent mistaken words because they can compare the words with the context. If the test-taker misheard, they can easily figure out the correct word from the notes because the wrong one won’t fit in the sentence’s context.

Additionally, create a short note system to help you write notes faster. Use short-term words, or even draw symbols to speed up your note-taking process. However, avoid scribbling too fast or you won’t be able to read your notes. 

Moreover, instead of capturing the whole sentence, focus on keywords that express the main ideas. This way, you can recreate the sentence in the correct order.

Practise, Practise, and Practise

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For test-takers who are struggling with listening and pronunciation, practising is your best strategy. You can follow these suggestions:

• Daily schedule: Consistency is key to success. Set a specific duration each day to practise listening and repeating sentences.
• Practise with PTE Magic: Learners can find numerous practising question banks, mock tests, and personalised courses as tools to enhance their performance on the PTE test. PTE Magic’s resources mimic the actual PTE test to help test-takers familiarise themselves with the task’s format and timing.
• Record your speech: Record yourself while practising the Repeat Sentence task. Immediately repeat each sentence you hear. When you re-listen to your audio, you will realise which parts you need to improve, whether it’s pronunciation or pace.
• Start small: Don’t jump to practising long sentences. Start with short sentences first, then slowly move to more complicated ones. You will build your confidence and skills more effectively this way.

Final Thoughts

PTE Magic has revealed our best strategies for mastering the PTE Repeat Sentence task. Your mission now is to select and apply the most suitable method for your PTE practice. Keep going, and soon, you will achieve your dream score!

Last updated on 14/08/2024