If you're planning to take the PTE Academic exam on or after August 7, 2025, it’s important to be aware of the changes Pearson has introduced. These updates aim to make the test more practical, focusing on how well you can use English in real-world situations rather than how well you can memorize set answers.

Let’s break down what’s new in the 2025 format—and how you can prepare effectively.

Key Updates in PTE Academic 2025

1. Introduction of Two New Speaking Tasks

Pearson has added two speaking tasks that evaluate your ability to communicate in practical, everyday scenarios:

Respond to a Situation
You’ll be presented with a real-life scenario and asked to respond appropriately. For example, you might need to politely decline an invitation, offer help, or give advice. This task measures your ability to navigate social and professional conversations naturally.

Summarize a Group Discussion
You’ll listen to a short conversation involving several people and provide a brief spoken summary of the discussion. This task assesses both your listening and speaking skills, helping test how well you understand group interactions and express the main ideas concisely.

These tasks focus on testing your real-world communication skills rather than pre-learned scripts.

2. Beep Sound Added to the "Repeat Sentence" Task

A clear beep sound will now indicate when to start speaking in the Repeat Sentence task. This change helps reduce confusion and allows you to concentrate fully on delivering your response accurately and fluently.

3. Improved Test Interface for a Better Experience

The exam’s user interface has been updated to enhance clarity and usability. Key improvements include:

• Double microphone check: Ensures your mic is functioning properly before you begin.
  
  

• No keyboard check: Streamlines the test setup process.
  
  

• Circular progress bar: Allows you to track your time visually throughout the test.
  
  

• Adjustable font size: Let's you choose a font size that suits your comfort level.
  
  

• Audio waveform display: Shows your speaking volume in real time, helping you maintain consistent delivery.
  
  

These upgrades make the test experience more intuitive and reduce unnecessary distractions.

4. Slightly Longer Exam Duration

The total exam time is now 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is 15 minutes longer than the previous format. This extension accommodates the new speaking tasks and allows you more time to complete the test without rushing.

5. Human Scoring Introduced for Seven Tasks

Pearson has added human evaluation to seven specific tasks to ensure more accurate and fair scoring. These tasks include:

• Describe Image
  
  

• Retell Lecture
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Write Essay
  
  

• Summarize Written Text
  
  

• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

With human scorers involved, clear and natural communication becomes even more important. Avoid robotic or overly rehearsed responses and focus on expressing your thoughts authentically.

How to Prepare for the New PTE Format

To succeed with the updated exam, you’ll need to shift your preparation strategy. Here’s how:

• Practice speaking: Focus on responding to realistic situations—offering advice, expressing opinions, or politely refusing requests.
  
  

• Summarize group conversations: Listen to English discussions (such as podcasts or talk shows) and practice summarizing them out loud in 30 seconds or less.
  
  

• Use updated practice tools: Choose mock tests and platforms that reflect the 2025 test pattern.
  
  

• Improve fluency and clarity: Speak at a natural pace with proper intonation. Avoid overused templates that may lower your score under human evaluation.
  
  

• Stay confident: Confidence plays a key role. Practice regularly, record yourself, and aim to speak clearly and concisely.
  
  

Final Thoughts

The August 2025 PTE Academic update is designed to better reflect how English is used in real life. These changes make the test more practical, not necessarily harder, especially if you’re comfortable communicating naturally in English.

To do well, focus on real-world communication, avoid memorized answers, and get comfortable with the new format through consistent practice. By doing so, you’ll not only adapt to the changes but also increase your chances of achieving a higher score.

Source: PTE New August Update