If you’re preparing for the PTE Academic exam after August 7, 2025, it’s crucial to understand the latest changes to the test format. These updates are designed to better reflect how English is used in real-world communication, moving beyond academic language and memorized responses. The exam will now assess your ability to use English naturally and effectively in everyday situations.

Here’s a breakdown of the key updates and how you can prepare for them with confidence.

What’s New in the 2025 PTE Academic Format?

1. Two New Speaking Tasks Introduced

The most significant change in the 2025 update is the addition of two speaking tasks aimed at evaluating practical communication skills:

Respond to a Situation
In this task, you'll be presented with a short scenario, either heard or read, and asked to respond appropriately. For example, you may need to politely decline an invitation or offer helpful advice. This tests your ability to handle common social or workplace situations naturally.

Summarize a Group Discussion
You’ll listen to a brief discussion involving multiple speakers and summarize the main ideas in 20–30 seconds. This task assesses your ability to grasp key points and express them clearly and concisely, much like summarizing conversations in real life.

These tasks aim to measure how effectively you can communicate in everyday contexts, not just in academic settings.

2. Beep Sound in “Repeat Sentence” Task

To make the “Repeat Sentence” task more user-friendly, a beep sound has been added to indicate when to begin speaking. This small but valuable addition helps you stay focused and reduces the chances of starting too early or too late.

3. Updated Test Interface

The PTE test interface has been refreshed to enhance usability and reduce stress during the exam. Key updates include:

• Circular progress bar for better time management
  
  

• Adjustable font sizes for improved readability
  
  

• Audio waveform display to help monitor your voice levels
  
  

• Double microphone check to ensure audio clarity
  
  

• Keyboard check removed to simplify setup
  
  

These changes are designed to make the testing experience smoother and more comfortable.

4. Slightly Extended Exam Duration

The total duration of the exam is now 2 hours and 15 minutes, extended by 15 minutes to accommodate the new speaking tasks. Be sure to manage your time effectively to stay on pace throughout the exam.

5. Human Scoring for Seven Tasks

Pearson has also introduced human raters to evaluate seven key tasks, ensuring more accurate and realistic scoring. These include:

• Describe Image
  
  

• Retell Lecture
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Summarize Written Text
  
  

• Write Essay
  
  

• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

With human evaluation in place, natural communication becomes even more important. Avoid memorized answers, focus on clarity, fluency, and authentic expression.

How to Prepare for the New PTE Format

1. Practice Natural Speaking

The new format rewards real, conversational English. Instead of memorizing scripts, practice responding naturally to everyday situations. Speak confidently and avoid overthinking.

2. Build Summarizing Skills

Listen to group discussions, interviews, or podcasts and try to summarize the main ideas in your own words. This will help prepare you for the “Summarize a Group Discussion” task and sharpen both listening and speaking skills.

3. Work on Fluency and Confidence

Practice speaking at a steady pace with a relaxed tone. Avoid sounding robotic or rushed. Fluency and comfort with the language are key indicators of your communication ability.

4. Stay Calm and Composed

The updated format is not about perfection; it’s about your ability to communicate ideas effectively. Stay calm, trust your preparation, and focus on delivering your thoughts clearly and naturally.

Final Thoughts

The August 2025 update to PTE Academic brings the exam closer to how English is used in real life. These changes are designed to be more practical, fair, and reflective of your real communication skills.

By preparing with a focus on fluency, natural expression, and real-world practice, you’ll be ready to meet the demands of the new format and succeed.

Good luck on your PTE journey!

Source: New PTE Academic August Update