PTE speaking task guide

PTE Describe Image: format, scoring and practice

Describe Image measures how clearly you can organise and deliver a spoken description of visual information. A strong response identifies the main message and supports it with relevant details.

Practise Describe Image See all PTE tasks
Task overview

Describe Image at a glance

PromptAn image, chart or diagram
Preparation25 seconds
Response40 seconds
Skills scoredSpeaking
Test-day flow

How Describe Image works

  1. An image such as a chart, graph, map, process or photograph appears on screen.
  2. You have 25 seconds to inspect it and plan a response.
  3. You then have 40 seconds to describe the image in your own words.
Scoring

What your response is scored on

Content

Relevant features, relationships and conclusions should accurately represent the image.

Pronunciation

Words and phrases should be intelligible to a regular English speaker.

Oral fluency

The response should progress smoothly with natural phrasing and limited hesitation.

Use scores as direction, not certainty

Pearson does not publish the complete scoring algorithm or raw-to-scale conversion. PrepEx feedback and 10-90 scores are practice estimates, not official PTE results.

Original example

Sample-style chart

Describe Image Sample task
Example chart for PTE Describe Image practice
25 seconds to prepare

This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.

Practice method

How to improve at Describe Image

  1. Identify the visual type, main trend and two useful details during preparation.
  2. Use a simple structure: overview, evidence, then a concise conclusion.
  3. Describe only what the visual supports; accuracy is more useful than decorative language.
Practice this task type

Learn the strategy here, then practise filtered Describe Image items in the Practice Hub.

Practise Describe Image Back to all PTE task types
Focused session

A 15-minute Describe Image practice loop

01

Preview the rules

Re-read the timing, scoring traits and common mistakes on this guide before opening practice.

02

Run focused attempts

Open the filtered Practice Hub view and complete several Describe Image attempts without switching task types.

03

Review and repeat

Use your activity history and target plan to decide whether to repeat this task or move to the next weak family.

Continue the loop

Stay on this task for a short focused set, then review whether it should remain your priority.

Run focused attempts Review attempts Update target plan
Avoidable errors

Common mistakes

  • Listing every number without an overview
  • Using a memorised script that does not fit the image
  • Speculating about causes not shown in the visual
  • Spending preparation time drafting full sentences
Accuracy and source

Checked against Pearson's current format

Task format, timing and published scoring traits were checked against Pearson's current PTE Academic test-format guidance on June 23, 2026. Pearson remains the final authority and may update the test.

Primary source: Pearson PTE Academic test format.

All PTE task typesBrowse the complete 22-task library by section. How PTE scoring worksUnderstand partial credit, score traits and the 10-90 scale. Practise Describe ImageGo directly to matching items in the PTE Practice Hub.
PTE Academic is a trademark of Pearson Education Ltd. PrepEx is independent of Pearson. PrepEx scores are practice estimates, not official Pearson scores.