Get ready for some big changes in the PTE exam! Starting on August 7, 2025, the Speaking section will introduce two new tasks designed to better reflect real-life conversations. This update, called the PTE Academic New Questions Format 2025, is Pearson's way of aligning the test more closely with actual academic and workplace communication. If you're preparing for the PTE after this date, this blog will guide you through the new tasks and offer you practical tips to ace them with confidence.

🔄 Why Is Pearson Updating the Speaking Section?

Pearson is updating the Speaking section to ensure it tests your ability to communicate in the real world, rather than just focusing on rote memorization or repeating phrases. The new format will focus on:

• Listening to and understanding conversations with multiple speakers
  
  

• Summarizing key points from discussions
  
  

• Responding naturally to real-life situations
  
  

• Speaking fluently with appropriate pronunciation and tone
  
  

The PTE Academic New Questions Format 2025 is all about assessing your performance—how well you understand context, respond to others, and express yourself in everyday situations.

🆕 What’s New in the Speaking Section (August 2025 Onward)

Two exciting new tasks will be introduced:

1. Summarize Group Discussion
   
   

2. Respond to a Situation
   
   

These tasks replace more mechanical exercises and focus on testing real communication skills. You’ll be expected to engage with conversations in a more natural, interactive way—just like you would in a university or professional environment.

🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

What You’ll Experience

In this task, you’ll listen to a 2–3 minute group conversation with multiple speakers discussing a specific topic. After 10 seconds to prepare, you’ll have about 2 minutes to summarize the main points discussed.

What Skills This Tests

• Active listening to understand multiple viewpoints
  
  

• Structuring and clearly presenting ideas
  
  

• Speaking fluently and coherently
  
  

Tips to Nail It

• Take quick, organized notes using symbols or speaker initials to track key points.
  
  

• Start your summary with phrases like: “The group discussed…” or “The main focus of the conversation was…”
  
  

• Highlight 2-3 key points and avoid adding personal opinions.
  
  

• Conclude with a short, neutral wrap-up: “In summary, the key points discussed were…”
  
  

🧏 Task 2: Respond to a Situation

What You’ll Experience

For this task, you’ll hear a real-life situation (such as a request or a problem), along with a written prompt. After 10 seconds to prepare, you’ll have 40 seconds to respond as if you’re directly involved in the situation.

What Skills This Tests

• Spontaneous speaking and real-time responses
  
  

• Emotional intelligence and cultural awareness
  
  

• Fluency and clarity in stressful or time-sensitive situations
  
  

Tips to Nail It

• Start by acknowledging the situation: “I understand your concern…” or “I see what you mean…”
  
  

• Offer a clear and helpful solution or response.
  
  

• Speak in a calm, polite, and natural way—avoid sounding too rehearsed.
  
  

• End with a positive, supportive closing: “I hope that helps!” or “Feel free to reach out again.”
  
  

🎯 Why These New Tasks Are Important

These changes reflect real-world language use, especially in academic and professional settings:

• Summarize Group Discussion mimics the type of conversations you’d hear in university tutorials or team meetings, where you need to listen, summarize, and present ideas from multiple speakers.
  
  

• Respond to a Situation mirrors situations like customer service interactions, job interviews, or office discussions, where you need to respond appropriately and professionally.
  
  

These tasks are all about interaction, not just repetition. They’ll test how well you understand others and how effectively you can engage in conversations.

📝 Format and Timing Breakdown

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Audio Duration: 2–3 minutes
  
  

• Prep Time: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speaking Time: ~2 minutes
  
  

• Style: Formal, neutral tone (focus on summarizing viewpoints, not personal opinions)
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

• Audio Prompt: 20–30 seconds
  
  

• Prep Time: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speaking Time: 40 seconds
  
  

• Style: Polite, natural, context-specific tone
  
  

🧠 Key Scoring Criteria

Both tasks will be scored based on:

• Content: Did you cover all important points and stay on topic?
  
  

• Fluency: Did you speak smoothly, without hesitation?
  
  

• Pronunciation: Was your speech clear and easy to understand?
  
  

• Appropriacy: Did your tone, word choices, and response fit the situation?
  
  

The evaluation will be done using a combination of AI and human raters to ensure fairness and accuracy.

📚 How to Prepare for the PTE Academic New Questions Format 2025

1. Practice Listening to Group Discussions
   
   

• Listen to podcasts or watch debates with multiple speakers.
  
  

• Try summarizing the main points and differentiating viewpoints.
  
  

• Practice linking ideas with transitions like “however,” “on the other hand,” or “in contrast.”
  
  

2. Simulate Real-Life Scenarios
   
   

• Record yourself responding to situations like a customer complaint or a work-related request.
  
  

• Set a timer: 10 seconds to prepare, 40 seconds to speak.
  
  

• Focus on being clear, polite, and concise.
  
  

3. Build a Speaking Framework
   
   

• For summaries: Start → Speaker 1 → Speaker 2 → Conclusion
  
  

• For responses: Acknowledge → Respond → Close politely
  
  

4. Improve Fluency and Timing
   
   

• Practice speaking for 2 minutes without stopping.
  
  

• Use a timer to help you stay within the time limits.
  
  

• Speak naturally, like you would in a conversation.
  
  

📖 Useful Vocabulary and Phrases

• For Summarizing Discussions:
  
  

• “The group discussed the following topics…”
  
  

• “One speaker mentioned…”
  
  

• “Another participant emphasized…”
  
  

• “To conclude, the main points were…”
  
  

• For Responding to Real-Life Situations:
  
  

• “I understand where you’re coming from.”
  
  

• “Let me help with that.”
  
  

• “Could you clarify what you mean?”
  
  

• “Thanks for bringing this to my attention.”
  
  

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t rush through your speech—clarity is more important than speed.
  
  

• Avoid using fillers like “um,” “uh,” or “like.”
  
  

• Stay on topic and keep your responses relevant.
  
  

• Speak naturally—don’t sound robotic or overly rehearsed.
  
  

✅ Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic New Questions Format 2025 is a major change that will help you show off your real-world communication skills. Whether you’re summarizing a group discussion or responding to a situation, these new tasks test your ability to interact, think quickly, and speak clearly in different contexts.

Start practicing now, and the more familiar you are with the new format, the more confident you’ll be on test day. Good luck, and remember that the key to success is regular practice and staying calm!

Source: Angel EduNext