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PTE Describe Image: A Step-by-Step Guide to Graphs, Charts and Maps
Ask ten students which PTE task makes them most nervous, and a good number will say PTE Describe Image. You get a picture, a few seconds to look at it, and then a microphone that is already waiting. It feels like there is too much to say and too little time.
The good news is that this task is very learnable. Once you understand what the scoring system listens for, you can build a calm, repeatable routine that works on almost any image. This guide walks you through that routine step by step.
What Is the PTE Describe Image Task?
In Describe Image, an image appears on your screen. You have 25 seconds to study it, then 40 seconds to describe it aloud. The image can be a bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, flowchart, process diagram or a photograph.
It sits in the speaking section, so it affects your speaking score. It also feeds into the oral fluency and pronunciation scores that count across the whole test. Several Describe Image questions appear in a typical sitting, which means this one task can lift or drag down your overall result. If you are still getting familiar with the whole exam, our PTE exam format guide shows where each task fits.
How Describe Image Is Scored
Pearson’s software marks your answer on three things:
- Content: Did you mention the main features, the key numbers and the relationships between them?
- Oral fluency: Did you speak smoothly, without long pauses, repeated words or restarts?
- Pronunciation: Could your words be understood clearly?
Notice what is missing. Nobody is awarding marks for fancy vocabulary or for guessing what the image means. The system rewards a clear, organised description delivered at a steady pace. If you want to understand more about how the software works, read our explanation of how the PTE AI scoring engine works.
A Four-Step Method You Can Use on Any Image
Step 1: Read the title and labels (first 8 to 10 seconds)
Start with the title, the axis labels, the units and the legend. These tell you what the image is about. Many candidates jump straight to the tallest bar and forget to say what the bars actually measure. Say that first.
Step 2: Find the story (next 10 seconds)
Look for three things: the highest value, the lowest value, and the overall direction. Is something rising, falling, or staying flat? Which item stands out? Pick two or three details and ignore the rest. Trying to mention everything is the most common reason people run out of time.
Step 3: Speak in a simple structure (40 seconds)
Use this order every time:
- Introduction: what the image shows.
- Main points: two or three key features with numbers.
- Conclusion: one sentence that sums up the trend or the message.
Step 4: Keep talking until the end
Silence hurts your fluency score, and a long gap may cause the recording to stop early. If you finish your points early, add a comparison or a short closing remark rather than going quiet.
A Worked Example: Describing a Bar Chart
Imagine a bar chart titled “Number of Students Enrolled in Online Courses, 2019 to 2023”. Enrolment starts near 20,000, grows each year and reaches about 65,000 in 2023. A natural answer could sound like this:
“The bar chart shows how many students enrolled in online courses between 2019 and 2023. In 2019, enrolment was the lowest at around 20,000 students. After that, the number rose steadily every year, and it reached its peak in 2023 at roughly 65,000. So overall, online course enrolment more than tripled during this period, which shows that online learning became far more popular.”
That answer is short, has numbers, names the lowest and highest points, and ends with a clear conclusion. You do not need to memorise it. Use it as a pattern, then replace the details with whatever the screen shows.
How to Handle Different Image Types
Line graphs
Focus on the direction of change over time. Use verbs such as “increased”, “declined” and “remained stable”. Mention the starting point, the end point and any sharp rise or fall in between.
Pie charts
Name the largest share, the smallest share, and one comparison between them. For example, “Housing takes the biggest share at about 40 percent, which is almost double the share spent on transport.”
Tables
Do not read every cell. Pick the highest and lowest values, then compare one or two rows or columns.
Maps
Describe the layout first, such as north to south or inner to outer areas. Then point out what is near what, and what has changed if two maps are shown. Directional phrases like “to the east of” and “next to” keep you organised.
Flowcharts and process diagrams
Follow the sequence. Use linking words such as “first”, “then”, “after that” and “finally”. Say how many stages there are and what the final result is.
Photographs
Describe the setting, the people or objects, and what appears to be happening. Stay with what you can see and avoid long guesses.
Mistakes That Quietly Cost Marks
- Over-preparing a script. A memorised paragraph often sounds flat, and it breaks the moment the image does not fit.
- Speaking too fast. Nerves push people to rush. A steady, clear pace scores better than a speedy one.
- Stopping to correct yourself. If you slip on a word, keep going. Restarts damage fluency more than a small grammar error does.
- Ignoring the numbers. Content marks come from specific details, so include at least two figures where the image gives them.
- Using up the preparation time on one detail. You have 25 seconds in total, so scan the whole image before you commit.
- Forgetting a conclusion. One closing sentence completes the answer and fills the last few seconds.
A Simple Weekly Practice Routine
Describe Image improves quickly with short, regular practice. Try this for four weeks:
- Week 1: Practise only the structure. Describe one image a day with a timer and record yourself.
- Week 2: Add numbers and comparisons. Listen back and count how many pauses you hear.
- Week 3: Work on image types you find hardest, usually maps and process diagrams.
- Week 4: Mix everything together and practise under exam conditions with a headset.
Pair this with work on your other speaking tasks. Our posts on PTE speaking tips and techniques and Re-tell Lecture strategies cover the neighbouring tasks, and a full mock test shows how all of this holds up under pressure. If your practice scores and your real result ever disagree, this explanation of why mock scores differ from real scores may help.
Getting Expert Feedback in Dhaka
Recording yourself is useful, but it is hard to hear your own fluency and pronunciation problems. A trainer can spot patterns you miss, such as a habit of dropping word endings or pausing before numbers. At PEC-Education, our trainers give task-by-task feedback on speaking practice and run mock tests that follow the real exam environment. If you would like to see how your Describe Image answers sound right now, contact us at pecpte.com and ask about a free counselling session. You can also read our complete PTE Academic guide for Bangladeshi students to plan your whole preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I get for PTE Describe Image?
You get 25 seconds to look at the image and 40 seconds to speak.
Do I need to describe every detail?
No. Choose the two or three most important features and support them with numbers. A focused answer scores better than a rushed list of everything.
Can I use a template for Describe Image?
A basic structure of introduction, main points and conclusion is helpful. A fully memorised script is risky, because the content must match the actual image and your delivery may sound unnatural.
What if I do not understand the image?
Describe what you can clearly see, such as the title, the labels and the obvious high and low points. Keep speaking, because fluency counts even when the content is imperfect.
How many Describe Image questions are in the test?
Several appear in the speaking section, though the exact number can change between sittings. Check Pearson’s official website for the latest format.
How can I improve my fluency fast?
Practise out loud every day with a timer, record yourself, and listen for long pauses and restarts. Short daily sessions work better than one long weekend session.
Final Thoughts
PTE Describe Image rewards calm structure, not clever language. Read the labels, find the story, speak in three clear parts and keep going until the time ends. Do that consistently for a few weeks and the task stops feeling like a guessing game.
Note: Exam formats, timings and scoring can change. Please confirm current details on the official Pearson PTE website before you book your test.
