If you’re planning to take the PTE Academic exam on or after August 7, 2025, it’s important to understand the key changes Pearson has introduced. The newly redesigned PTE Academic test focuses more on assessing your real English communication skills, rather than just memorized answers. The updated exam format is designed to be more practical, natural, and fair, so it’s better aligned with how English is used in real-life situations. Understanding these changes will help you feel more confident as you prepare and give you the tools to succeed in the new PTE Academic exam format.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and how you can prepare for these updates.

What’s New in the PTE Academic 2025?

1. Two New Speaking Tasks

The 2025 PTE exam introduces two new speaking tasks that reflect real-world communication:

Respond to a Situation
In this task, you’ll hear a scenario and need to respond in a natural, polite way. For example, you might have to refuse an invitation, offer help, or give advice. This task tests your ability to handle everyday conversations, so practicing natural responses will help you succeed here.

Summarize a Group Discussion
You will listen to a short conversation between multiple speakers, then provide a 20-30 second summary of what was discussed. This task assesses both your listening and speaking skills, as it requires you to listen carefully and summarize key points clearly. This mirrors real-life situations, such as team discussions, where summarizing is often necessary.

Both tasks emphasize natural communication, so the key is to respond conversationally and not rely on memorized answers.

2. Beep Sound in “Repeat Sentence” Task

In the past, some test-takers were unsure when to begin speaking in the “Repeat Sentence” task. Now, a clear beep sound signals when it’s time to start. This small change removes any confusion and helps reduce stress, making it easier to focus on your answer.

3. Improved Test Interface

The test interface has been revamped to improve your overall experience:

• Double microphone check – Ensures that your voice is being recorded correctly before starting the speaking tasks.
  
  

• No keyboard check – Saves time and streamlines the test process.
  
  

• Circular progress bar – Visually shows how much time is left for each task, helping you stay on track.
  
  

• Adjustable font size – Makes the test easier to read, which is helpful for anyone with specific readability needs.
  
  

• Audio waveform display – Helps you monitor how well your voice is being picked up during speaking tasks, ensuring that you are speaking clearly.
  
  

These updates allow you to focus more on your responses and less on navigating the interface.

4. Longer Test Duration

The PTE Academic exam is now 2 hours and 15 minutes long, which is 15 minutes longer than before. The added time accommodates the new speaking tasks and allows you more time to finish each section without feeling rushed. This extra time reduces pressure and gives you a better chance to demonstrate your skills.

5. Human Evaluation for 7 Tasks

A significant update in 2025 is the introduction of human evaluation for seven key tasks:

• Describe Image
  
  

• Retell Lecture
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Summarize Written Text
  
  

• Write Essay
  
  

• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

These tasks will now be scored by human evaluators who will assess how clearly and naturally you communicate. This means that memorized answers or templates are less likely to help you, as the focus is on natural, fluent communication. To do well in these tasks, you’ll need to speak and write in a clear and conversational manner.

How to Prepare for the New PTE Pattern

With these changes, you may be wondering how best to prepare. Here are some tips to help you adjust to the new PTE Academic exam format:

• Practice speaking naturally: Focus on responding to everyday situations like refusing invitations, offering help, or giving advice. These tasks are designed to assess how you handle real conversations.
  
  

• Summarize discussions: Listen to podcasts, group discussions, or videos, and practice summarizing the main points. This will help you perform better on the “Summarize Group Discussion” task.
  
  

• Use updated practice tests: Make sure you’re practicing with test materials that reflect the new 2025 format. This will help you become familiar with the changes and feel more prepared.
  
  

• Work on clarity and fluency: The new exam places a premium on natural communication. Focus on speaking clearly and confidently, rather than relying on memorized answers or phrases.
  
  

• Record and listen to yourself: Recording your responses allows you to assess your own performance, identify areas for improvement, and track your progress over time.
  
  

• Avoid memorized templates: While it's useful to know how to structure your responses, memorizing long phrases or templates can hurt your score. Speak naturally and focus on delivering your answers in your own words.
  
  

Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic 2025 update is designed to provide a more accurate and realistic measure of your English skills by focusing on real-world communication. By understanding the new format and practicing natural, fluent communication, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the updated test with confidence.

Stay calm, practice regularly, and focus on speaking and writing clearly. These strategies will help you succeed in the new PTE Academic exam format and give you the best chance to achieve your desired score.

Source: PTE Academic Update 2025