PTE Describe Image: Templates, Practice Tips & Examples

The PTE test seems no stranger to numerous people worldwide, especially students.

However, this international exam is also popular due to its difficulty, especially the PTE describe image section that requires candidates to have good speaking fluency and analytical skills.

Yet, when you understand its structure and grasp the following tips in this article by PTE Magic, you will no longer feel afraid of this part.

What are you waiting for?

Let’s check them out!

Related:

• PTE speaking tips for maximum scores
• PTE training for new test-takers

3 Things You Should Know About The PTE Describe Image

As its name suggests, the PTE describe image part requires you to look at the picture and present its main details within the required time. A challenging part is that you must use all your grammar and vocabulary to describe the image fluently.

The Format

As mentioned earlier, this item tests your ability to speak English fluently and especially gains deeper insights into your analytical thinking skills. 

When entering the test, you will be shown several pictures on the screen, and each image is displayed for about 25 seconds. You must notice and remember its main details before presenting them to your examiner during this time. 

Your presentation lasts about 40 seconds; after completing it, you will move on to the next image and repeat this process. The images are mainly graphs, like line graphs, bar charts, tables, etc., with much data. You’d better watch out! 

The Scoring Guide

The score is based on a scale from 0 to 5, focusing on three major criteria: pronunciation, content, and oral fluency. To score 5 on the content, you must cover all the image’s main details and relevant parts. 

One tip for you is to figure out their relationships and link them together using comparative words. As regards pronunciation, you must speak the words, phrases, and sentences as correctly as possible. 

Apart from that, you must know how to place stress on words correctly and speak English fluently without interruptions during your speech. 

Three Steps Of Success

Step 1: Give an impressive introduction

Prepare well for your introduction, and try not to stumble on words right from the beginning of your speech. It is advisable to paraphrase the diagram’s title and include its name in the speech, so assessors are aware of what you are saying.

Step 2: Focus on the main details

When the picture shows up on the screen, you are advised to look from its corner to the middle. After a comprehensive understanding of the image, pick three features you feel most relevant and make your speech stand out. 

Step 3: Give a concise conclusion

Many candidates disregard the importance of a conclusion, yet this part is very important by summarizing your speech. In this case, providing a summary or predicting what could happen in the near future are two suggested ways to conclude. 

6 PTE Describe Image Practices

Here are some tips for each type of describe image PTE practice that you should pay close attention to.

Bar/Line Graph

PTE graphs practice is one of the easiest charts because you can see the differences between columns without a hitch. 

• Look at the whole picture and notice the units on the vertical and horizontal axis. They could be the units of length (meters), weight (kilograms), number of international students, etc. 
• Find the most notable column in the graph to compare. For instance, this column has witnessed the greatest growth over the past 10 years. 
• Try to make many comparisons by grouping relevant data and emphasizing the changes of one target if the vertical axis shows the time. 

Table

When seeing a table chart PTE, you might be confused because there is an overload of numbers and statistics. How to cope with them?

• Determine the names of columns and units presented in the table clearly to lower the chance of mistaking them.
• Figure out the three main points of the table: the greatest number, the greatest percentage of change, or the lowest figure.
• Suppose the table includes data from different periods; you should try to explore the trend (an increasing/decreasing tendency over time).

Map

A map chart PTE requires you to pinpoint the direction precisely. 

• When starting the test, you might panic, easily mistaking one direction for another. Try to be clear about where the north/south/west/east is. 
• You start to look from your standing (a red spot on the image) and find a way to reach the destination. 
• If an assessor shows two pictures of a city or a village and makes you compare their modifications, look quickly to notice the differences. 

Pie Chart/Flow Chart

This chart is quite easy, only harder than the line/bar graph, and you can find many PTE describe image examples to practice.

• Most pie charts use the percentage unit, so you should always follow the percent after each number, like 15% or 20%, while A flow chart is usually a process chart PTE.
• Emphasize a target’s change from the commencing time to the end of a period.
• Use various linking words to ensure the consistency of your speech, like, however, moreover, but, etc.

Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram might confuse you because various circles are integrated. 

• Focus on each independent circle to know what messages or information it tries to convey.
• Look at the integration point of different circles; you must analyze it clearly in front of your examiners. 
• Ensure to speak and present details of those circles logically. 

Photo

When provided with a photo, you might feel more familiar with it. Yet, this is still a challenge if you don’t know how to present it. 

• Take advantage of 25 seconds to look at the overall picture and pinpoint what targets, like a person, an animal, etc., you want to talk about. 
• Based on your imagination and provided details, making a storyline is strongly recommended. 
• Avoid including every detail in your speech; just focus on the main parts. 

6 Tips To Boost Your PTE Describe Image Score

Below are 6 tips for you to improve your PTE describe image score. 

Place Emphasis On Punctuation And Fluency

This part tests your speaking skills; punctuation and fluency are two concrete contributors to an outstanding speaking performance. That’s why when you can manage these two aspects, you will succeed in boosting the score. 

To do so, you could control your breath rate, think freely of stress or pressure, and speak slowly enough for assessors to catch your words. 

Don’t Try To Include Every Detail Of An Image In Your Speaking

You only have about 40 seconds to present the image in front of many examiners. So, if you want to explain every image’s detail, you will not have enough time to show the main parts. And this flaw can lower your score greatly. 

Speak For More Than 30 Seconds

You must not speak for less than 30 seconds to score high in this part. When you only speak for 20-25 seconds, you aren’t able to present the primary content that an image delivers to the audience, especially assessors. 

Form A Logically Organized Description Of An Image

Describing your picture logically is very important. You’d better start from the introduction before entailing the most distinctive features and concluding in an impressive way. 

Time Practice Is Necessary

You must practice the test under time pressure to better prepare for the real test. When taking the exam, you might easily get panicked, and you might need lots of time to calm down. 

Attempt To Describe The Image More Clearly

Understand and apply all the describe image PTE tips for each image type we have presented above. Hope you will nail it!

Practice Materials & Templates For PTE Describe Image

There are three sources you could take materials and templates to enhance your PTE describe image score. 

• The PTE Magic coaching website is an ideal site, which provides AI-scored mock tests, along with a question bank and templates for each type of question. However, PTE describe image templates are only available after you enroll in the courses.
•  A series of 2-hour videos by the Head of Trainer Moni to broaden your horizon and practice the shadowing method. 
• Read the Ebook “How to pass PTE in 7 days” with a detailed guide for each section. 

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, you have equipped yourself with helpful knowledge about the PTE describe image part after reading this article. Based on my experiences, if you want to master it, always remember to calm down, focus on the main details, and present them fluently.

Last updated on 28/09/2023

Moni PTE Magic

My name is Moni, and I am a seasoned PTE teacher with over 6 years of experience. I have helped thousands of students overcome their struggles and achieve their desired scores. My passion for teaching and dedication to my student’s success drives me to continually improve my teaching methods and provide the best possible support. Join me on this journey toward PTE success!