The PTE Academic exam is evolving in a big way starting August 7th, 2025, particularly in the Speaking section. With the introduction of two new tasks, the exam will require you to demonstrate spontaneous speaking skills rather than just recalling memorized answers. This shift means you’ll need to be prepared for real-world communication, and that's where the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 come in. These expert tips will guide you on how to handle the new tasks with confidence, ensuring you're fully ready to tackle the updated test format.

🔄 Why Did Pearson Update the Speaking Tasks?

Pearson's goal behind these changes is to make the PTE Academic exam more reflective of real-life communication. Rather than memorizing answers or relying on scripted responses, the exam now focuses on:

• Listening carefully to different perspectives
  
  

• Summarizing and communicating key points effectively
  
  

• Responding naturally and appropriately in everyday situations
  
  

• Organizing your ideas clearly and speaking fluently
  
  

These updates aim to make the exam feel more like the real-world conversations you might have in classrooms, meetings, or social settings abroad. It’s all about testing your ability to think on your feet and respond thoughtfully in a variety of scenarios.

🆕 What’s New in the 2025 PTE Speaking Section?

The most significant update in the PTE Speaking section is the addition of two new tasks:

• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  

• Respond to a Situation
  
  

These tasks are designed to assess your ability to process information quickly and communicate clearly, skills that are essential for real-life conversations. Here’s how you can prepare for each task.

🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion
What You’ll Do:

• Listen to a 2–3 minute group conversation with multiple speakers
  
  

• Identify the key points and perspectives shared
  
  

• Summarize the views in a neutral, formal tone in around 2 minutes
  
  

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 for This Task:

• Quick Note-Taking: Use symbols like “+” for agreement or “→” for conclusions to capture key ideas fast.
  
  

• Identify Different Viewpoints: Focus on each speaker’s contribution and note contrasting opinions.
  
  

• Structure Your Answer: Begin with, “The discussion focused on…” to give a clear overview.
  
  

• Be Neutral and Formal: Avoid adding personal opinions or casual language. Stick to a professional tone.
  
  

• Use Linking Words: Words like “however,” “in contrast,” and “moreover” help connect your ideas smoothly.
  
  

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation
What You’ll Do:

• Listen to a 20–30 second real-life scenario (e.g., a workplace issue or customer complaint)
  
  

• Read the prompt shown after the audio
  
  

• Respond to the situation in 40 seconds, as if you were directly involved
  
  

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 for This Task:

• Acknowledge the Situation: Start by acknowledging the concern, e.g., “I understand your point…” or “Thank you for letting me know.”
  
  

• Provide a Solution: Offer a clear and practical solution to the situation.
  
  

• Stay Focused: Stick to one main idea in your response, avoiding unnecessary details.
  
  

• End on a Positive Note: Conclude by saying something like, “Let me know if there’s anything else I can help with.”
  
  

• Sound Natural but Professional: Your answer should be conversational, but keep it professional—don’t sound robotic.
  
  

🎯 What Makes These New Tasks Challenging?

• Time Pressure: You’ll only have a few seconds to prepare your response before speaking.
  
  

• Context Sensitivity: Each situation requires a response that fits the tone and context of the scenario.
  
  

• No Second Takes: Once you’ve given your answer, there’s no going back—so it’s crucial to get it right the first time.
  
  

• Real-World Complexity: Unlike scripted exams, these tasks are more dynamic and unpredictable, requiring you to think on your feet.
  
  

These challenges might seem intimidating at first, but with the right preparation, you can handle them confidently!

✅ How to Prepare Effectively for the New Tasks

1. Enhance Your Active Listening Skills:
   
   

• Listen to podcasts, debates, or discussions in English to get used to hearing diverse viewpoints.
  
  

• After each speaker, pause and try to summarize their main points out loud.
  
  

• Focus on filtering out key information quickly to help you respond effectively.
  
  

2. Master the Art of Quick Note-Taking:
   
   

• Use symbols like “+” for agreement, “-” for disagreement, and “→” for conclusions.
  
  

• Don’t try to write full sentences—just jot down keywords or short phrases.
  
  

• Practice summarizing TED Talks, news broadcasts, or interviews in just a few bullet points.
  
  

3. Practice Spontaneous Speaking:
   
   

• Simulate real-life scenarios (like answering a customer question or explaining a project update) and practice speaking out loud.
  
  

• Time yourself: Give yourself 10 seconds to plan, then 40 seconds to speak.
  
  

• Record your responses and listen to them to assess your fluency, tone, and structure.
  
  

4. Learn Context-Specific Phrases:
   
   

• Workplace: “Let me escalate this issue to the right person.”
  
  

• Academic: “The speaker emphasized the importance of…”
  
  

• Social: “I totally understand where you’re coming from, and I agree with that.”
  
  

📚 Useful Phrases to Remember

For Summarizing Group Discussions:

• “The discussion centered on…”
  
  

• “One participant pointed out that…”
  
  

• “Another speaker argued that…”
  
  

• “In conclusion, the group had varying opinions on…”
  
  

For Responding to Situations:

• “I’ll take care of that right away.”
  
  

• “Let me look into that for you.”
  
  

• “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll get on it right now.”
  
  

• “Would you prefer an alternative solution?”
  
  

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Speaking too quickly out of nervousness—take a deep breath and speak at a steady pace.
  
  

• Going off-topic or adding unnecessary personal opinions—keep your answers focused and relevant.
  
  

• Overusing fillers like “um,” “like,” or “you know”—practice smooth, confident responses.
  
  

• Ignoring the tone of the situation—adjust your tone based on whether it’s formal or informal.
  
  

📌 Test Format Recap

• Summarize Group Discussion:
  
  

• Audio: 2–3 minutes
  
  

• Prep Time: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speaking Time: ~2 minutes
  
  

• Goal: Summarize key viewpoints using neutral, formal language.
  
  

• Respond to a Situation:
  
  

• Audio: 20–30 seconds
  
  

• Prep Time: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speaking Time: 40 seconds
  
  

• Goal: Respond naturally and professionally to a real-life situation.
  
  

🧠 Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic New Speaking Tips 2025 are designed to help you adapt to the new exam format and perform at your best. By practicing active listening, sharpening your note-taking skills, and staying calm under pressure, you’ll be ready to handle these new tasks with ease. Remember, the goal is real-world communication—so the more you practice, the more natural and confident you’ll sound.