If you are planning to take the PTE Academic exam after August 7, 2025, it’s important to understand the key changes that Pearson has introduced. These updates are designed to make the exam more practical and reflective of how you actually use English in real-life situations. Rather than focusing solely on academic English, the new format assesses your ability to communicate in everyday conversations. This blog will walk you through the new changes and give you some tips on how to prepare effectively for the updated PTE exam.

What’s New in the PTE 2025 Update?

1. New Speaking Tasks
   Two new speaking tasks have been added to the exam to make it more realistic:
   
   

• Respond to a Situation: In this task, you’ll hear or read a short scenario and be asked to respond appropriately. For example, you might need to politely decline an invitation or offer advice in a simple situation. This task assesses how well you communicate in everyday scenarios.
  
  

• Summarize a Group Discussion: You’ll listen to a brief conversation or group discussion and then summarize the main points in 20-30 seconds. This task checks your ability to listen, understand, and present key ideas quickly and clearly.
  
  

2. Both of these tasks focus on practical communication skills, so it’s important to practice speaking in a natural and confident manner.
   
   

3. Beep Sound in “Repeat Sentence”
   A small but helpful change is the introduction of a beep sound during the Repeat Sentence task. This beep will signal when you should start speaking, helping you stay on track and ensuring that you respond at the correct time.
   
   

4. Updated Test Interface
   The PTE test interface has been improved to make your experience smoother:
   
   

• A circular progress bar to help you track your progress.
  
  

• Adjustable font sizes to make it easier to read the text.
  
  

• An audio waveform that allows you to check how well your voice is being picked up.
  
  

• A double mic check to improve sound quality during the speaking tasks.
  
  

• The keyboard check has been removed for a more streamlined experience.
  
  

5. Slightly Longer Exam Time
   The total exam time has been extended to 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is 15 minutes longer than before. The additional time is due to the inclusion of the new speaking tasks. While this extra time gives you a bit more breathing room, it’s still essential to manage your time effectively during the exam.
   
   

6. Human Scoring for 7 Tasks
   A significant update is that seven tasks will now be scored by real human raters, instead of just relying on AI. These tasks include:
   
   

• Describe Image
  
  

• Retell Lecture
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Summarize Written Text
  
  

• Write Essay
  
  

• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

7. With human scoring, the focus is now more on how naturally and clearly you communicate. It’s important to avoid memorized answers and instead speak in a way that sounds conversational and authentic.
   
   

How to Prepare for the New PTE Format

• Focus on Natural Communication: The biggest change in the updated PTE exam is the emphasis on speaking naturally. Practice speaking in real-life situations rather than relying on memorized responses. This will help you sound more confident and prepared for the exam.
  
  

• Summarize Information Clearly: For the “Summarize a Group Discussion” task, practice summarizing what you hear in simple and clear language. You can listen to group discussions, podcasts, or even watch videos, and then try to condense the main points into a few sentences.
  
  

• Improve Your Fluency: Fluency is key to success in the new exam format. Practice speaking at a steady pace without rushing or speaking too slowly. Make sure your tone is clear and easy to understand, as this will help you get a better score.
  
  

• Stay Calm and Confident: The updated PTE test is focused on your ability to communicate naturally. Don’t worry about speaking perfectly. The goal is to express your thoughts clearly and confidently, so stay relaxed and do your best.
  
  

Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic 2025 update focuses on testing real-life English skills, such as speaking and understanding in everyday situations. With new speaking tasks, a more intuitive interface, and human scoring, the exam is now designed to assess your ability to use English naturally in real-world contexts. If you prepare by practicing natural speaking, improving your fluency, and staying confident, you’ll be well-equipped to excel in the updated test. Best of luck in your preparation!

Source: New PTE Academic August Update