Practise Describe Image with a clear review goal
Practice clinic by Kate Feng, Language Education Specialist. Updated 7 September 2026.
The original enrollment chart below shows Business as the largest faculty in both years. Engineering also grows substantially, while Arts is the only faculty to decline. Start with that pattern, then select figures that support it.
The chart compares university enrollment in four faculties in 2020 and 2024. Business remained the largest, rising from 4,200 to 6,100 students. Engineering also increased, from 3,600 to 5,500. Arts was the only faculty to decline, while Science grew more modestly.
This is an example of selecting evidence, not a script to memorise or a guaranteed score. The chart does not explain why enrollment changed, so avoid inventing tuition changes, job-market demand or a new campus.
- During preparation, identify the visual type, main pattern and two comparisons.
- Record your description in Describe Image practice.
- Check content accuracy separately from fluency and pronunciation.
- Repeat the method with a different visual. A map or process needs a different organisation from this bar chart.
After targeted work, use the PTE Academic mock-test guide to plan a fuller rehearsal. Read the Academic versus Core comparison if you are unsure which exam your application requires.
Describe Image at a glance
How Describe Image works
- An image such as a chart, graph, map, process or photograph appears on screen.
- You have 25 seconds to inspect it and plan a response.
- You then have 40 seconds to describe the image in your own words.
What your response is scored on
Relevant features, relationships and conclusions should accurately represent the image.
Words and phrases should be intelligible to a regular English speaker.
The response should progress smoothly with natural phrasing and limited hesitation.
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.
Sample-style chart
This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.
How to improve at Describe Image
- Identify the visual type, main trend and two useful details during preparation.
- Use a simple structure: overview, evidence, then a concise conclusion.
- Describe only what the visual supports; accuracy is more useful than decorative language.
Learn the strategy here, then practise filtered Describe Image items in the Practice Hub.
A 15-minute Describe Image practice loop
Preview the rules
Re-read the timing, scoring traits and common mistakes on this guide before opening practice.
Run focused attempts
Open the filtered Practice Hub view and complete several Describe Image attempts without switching task types.
Review and repeat
Use your activity history and target plan to decide whether to repeat this task or move to the next weak family.
Stay on this task for a short focused set, then review whether it should remain your priority.
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
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.