Use a headset, not laptop speakers
PTE centres and the AI scorer work best with a close, clear signal. A USB or 3.5mm headset mic keeps your voice consistent and blocks room echo.
MIC INPUT
idle
press record to start mic test
TRANSPORT
no input
00:00
allow microphone access to start testing your mic
Microphone Status
Checking…Microphone
Unknown
Recording
Not supported
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PTE Speaking Tips
PTE Microphone Setup Tips
A few minutes of mic hygiene can save you 10+ points on the speaking section of your PTE exam.
Position the mic correctly
Place the microphone 10–15 cm from your mouth — about two finger-widths from your chin. Too far and the scorer hears background noise; too close and you clip.
Speak at a steady, natural volume
Don't shout. The PTE speech recogniser rewards the same volume you'd use in a conversation. Avoid sudden spikes that cause clipping.
Eliminate background noise
Close windows, mute notifications, and tell people you're testing. The PTE Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence tasks penalise background interference.
Test before every mock test
Run this free PTE microphone test before each mock exam. Device settings can change between sessions, especially after OS updates or new Bluetooth pairs.
Check your mic settings in the PTE app
Pearson's software includes a built-in sound check. Use both this page and Pearson's check to confirm your selected device is the one being recorded.
Ready to practice speaking?
Try OpenPTE's AI-scored speaking mock tests with realistic PTE Read Aloud and Repeat Sentence tasks.
PTE Microphone Test — FAQ
Everything you need to know about testing your mic for PTE Academic.
Need more help? Visit our full PTE FAQ or explore free PTE resources.