The Best Microphone positions in PTE

One of the four PTE Academic Test modules that is the most challenging is the Speaking Section, particularly for people who do not speak English as their first language. Many test-takers who are not confident in their speaking abilities are concerned about the Speaking Module. How to get a 90 on the PTE Speaking is a major concern for such test takers.

Because the PTE Academic is a computer-based test, success or failure in the Speaking Module highly depends on microphone placement. On test day, each test taker receives a computer and a headphone with a microphone.

How to Test the Mic?

As a result, the first thing a test taker must do is check the system and the microphone as soon as they are assigned one. If the test-taker discovers any technical problems with the computer or microphone, they must immediately notify the test-center officials.

It is a bad idea to begin the exam without first testing the microphone provided. Examine the microphone during the allotted time to you at the start of the exam.

How should it be done? Speak into the microphone and check the recording to make sure your words were captured correctly. Speak a complete sentence into the microphone to check the quality of the recording. Check that the microphone is not picking up any breathing or static sounds. Adjust it until you are satisfied with what you hear.

In the exam, you can use one of the following sentences to test your microphone:

1. A large size in stockings is hard to sell.
2. Move the vat over the hot fire.
3. Hoist the load to your left shoulder.

These sentences, known as Harvard sentences, are extremely useful in testing the speech characteristics of communication systems.

What are the best microphone positions in PTE?

So, what are the actual difficulties? We eject short bursts of air when we speak, especially when pronouncing plosive sounds. If the microphone interprets these bursts as audio, they may appear as incomprehensible words in your Speaking Module answer, this has a direct impact on your pronunciation score.

So, where should the microphone be placed? Our PTE experts recommend that the microphone be placed close to the chin or parallel to the nose, Following trials with a huge number of test-takers. The microphone will be close enough to the subject to avoid picking up breathing noises when in this position.

Avoid placing the microphone under the nose because the air exhaled while speaking through the mouth and nose may be recorded.

Test-takers should not touch the microphone. Every time you touch the microphone, you risk losing points.

Common Speaking problems

Since we’re talking about PTE Speaking, we want to share some typical problems or errors to avoid. Avoid speaking too quickly. Many people confuse speaking quickly with fluency. Slow down and speak at a fast enough pace that you can clearly enunciate the words. When you’re trying to think of what you’re going to say, avoid using filler words like ‘aahs’ and ‘uhms’ in your speech. Avoid speaking in fragments, or stopping and starting, as this is considered disfluent speech. Finally, avoid using common English or informal language in your speech.

If you require expert assistance with specific Speaking tasks, you can use our Describe Image Correction Service. To sharpen your preparation, you can also get our high-quality materials in Describe Image and Re-tell Lecture.

You will be able to score good in the PTE Academic Speaking if you follow these PTE Speaking tips and practice enough. You can visit CCLHUB for PTE to join PTE Academic classes.