If you're planning to take the PTE Academic exam after 7th August 2025, it’s important to know about the changes to the Speaking section. Pearson is introducing new PTE question types aimed at testing your ability to engage in real-world communication. Instead of just focusing on memorized responses, these updated question types are designed to evaluate how well you can listen, understand, and respond naturally in different situations. This shift reflects how English is truly used in everyday academic and professional settings.

Why Did Pearson Change the PTE?

The reason behind these changes is simple: language proficiency tests need to keep up with how people actually use English in real life. Academic and professional environments require more than just repeating memorized phrases—they require quick thinking, active listening, and clear communication. Pearson’s updates aim to ensure the test mirrors real-world interactions. By focusing on these essential skills, the PTE Academic will better prepare you for communication in various situations you might encounter abroad or in an international setting.

What’s New in the PTE Speaking Section?

Starting on 7th August 2025, the Speaking section will include two new question types. These tasks will assess your ability to listen attentively, think critically, and express your thoughts in a clear and natural manner.

1. Summarize Group Discussion

In this task, you will listen to a group discussion and summarize the key points. The aim is to capture the most important information and present it in a concise and coherent way.

What to Expect:

• You’ll listen to a 2-3 minute group discussion.
  
  

• You will have 10 seconds to prepare.
  
  

• You will then speak for about 2 minutes, summarizing the main points.
  
  

What It Tests:

• Your listening skills and ability to pick out the most important points.
  
  

• Your ability to synthesize different viewpoints.
  
  

• Your fluency and clarity when speaking.
  
  

Tips for Success:

• Pay attention to the key ideas and viewpoints each speaker offers.
  
  

• Avoid adding personal opinions—focus solely on summarizing the discussion.
  
  

• Use linking words like “on the other hand,” “in contrast,” and “for example” to create a smooth, logical flow in your summary.
  
  

2. Respond to a Situation

This task tests your ability to respond naturally and appropriately in a real-life scenario. You’ll be given a situation—such as someone asking for help or giving feedback—and you’ll need to respond as if it were happening in real life.

What to Expect:

• You’ll listen to an audio prompt and read a written scenario.
  
  

• You will have 10 seconds to prepare.
  
  

• You will then speak for 40 seconds to provide your response.
  
  

What It Tests:

• Your understanding of the situation and ability to respond effectively.
  
  

• Your fluency and clarity when speaking.
  
  

• Your use of polite, appropriate language.
  
  

Tips for Success:

• Imagine yourself in the situation and respond as you would if it were real life.
  
  

• Keep your tone polite, clear, and calm.
  
  

• Focus on delivering your response in a direct and structured way, while staying within the 40-second limit.
  
  

Why These Changes Matter

These updates to the PTE Speaking section are significant because they reflect real-world communication skills. The new question types focus on evaluating how well you can engage in conversations, understand different viewpoints, and respond appropriately—all key skills for success in academic and professional environments. Instead of merely testing your memorization abilities, the new format will help you demonstrate how effectively you can use English in practical situations. This is a positive shift for anyone preparing for the test, as it helps you build valuable communication skills that go beyond just passing an exam.

How to Prepare for the Updated PTE

While the new question types may seem daunting at first, with consistent practice, you can approach them with confidence. Here are some practical ways to prepare for the updated PTE Speaking section:

1. Practice Active Listening

• Listen to group discussions, podcasts, or debates in English. Try to identify the main points and how different people’s views connect or differ.
  
  

• After listening, practice summarizing what you’ve heard in your own words. This exercise will help you develop both listening and speaking skills, which are essential for the new tasks.
  
  

2. Build Speaking Confidence

• Practice reading aloud daily to improve your fluency and pronunciation.
  
  

• Record yourself responding to common situational questions. For example, how would you respond if someone asked for help in an unfamiliar place? Listening back to your responses will allow you to assess your clarity and tone.
  
  

• Take mock tests that simulate the new question formats so you get used to the timing and structure.
  
  

3. Manage Your Time

• For the Summarize Group Discussion task, practice summarizing the main points in under 2 minutes. Focus on delivering a clear, concise summary without adding unnecessary details.
  
  

• In the Respond to a Situation task, aim to provide a clear, relevant response within 40 seconds. Ensure your answer addresses the situation directly, while keeping it polite and structured.
  
  

Useful Vocabulary to Practice

Using the right phrases will make your responses sound more natural and polished. Here are some useful vocabulary examples for different scenarios:

• Purpose: “The main purpose of this discussion is to…”
  
  

• Apologizing: “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”
  
  

• Making Requests: “Could you help me with…?”
  
  

• Expressing Concern: “I’m concerned that…”
  
  

• Clarifying: “Could you explain that in more detail?”
  
  

• Responding: “I see your point” or “I understand what you mean.”
  
  

Final Thoughts

The August 2025 updates to the PTE Academic exam are a step forward in creating a test that better reflects real-world communication. By introducing new question types that focus on practical communication skills, Pearson is ensuring that the exam tests your ability to think, listen, and respond in a manner that’s relevant to your academic and professional life. With the right preparation and practice, these changes shouldn’t feel overwhelming—in fact, they’ll provide you with an opportunity to sharpen your real-world communication skills, which will serve you well beyond the exam. So, take a deep breath, prepare well, and get ready to approach these new question types with confidence.