If you’re planning to take the PTE after August 7th, 2025, it’s time to get ready for some important changes. The PTE August Update 2025 brings a whole new set of features that will change how the test is taken. From a redesigned speaking section to improvements in scoring and user interface, these updates directly impact how you should prepare. Whether you’re aiming for university admission or migration, understanding these changes is key to your success. Let’s dive into the details to help you navigate the new PTE format and prepare effectively.

🆕 What’s New in the PTE August Update 2025?

The PTE Academic has been redesigned to better reflect real-world communication. Instead of relying on memorized responses, it now focuses on your ability to speak naturally and respond to situations realistically. Pearson has made these changes based on feedback from test-takers, pilot testing, and global trends. The aim is to reward real communication skills and move away from test hacks and scripted answers.

🗣️ Two New Speaking Tasks

🔊 Respond to a Situation

This new task challenges you to respond to real-life scenarios. You’ll hear a situation (like turning down a work request or explaining why you can’t attend a meeting), and you’ll have to respond appropriately.

• Preparation Time: 10 seconds
  
  

• Speaking Time: 30-40 seconds
  
  

• What’s Assessed: Fluency, tone, and coherence.
  
  

Example Scenarios:

• “Your boss asks you to work overtime, but you have family plans.”
  
  

• “A friend invites you to a party, but you’re not feeling well.”
  
  

The goal here is to show how you would respond naturally in a real-world conversation. The more genuine your answer, the better.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Summarize a Group Discussion

In this task, you’ll listen to a group discussion between 2-4 people. Afterward, you’ll need to summarize the conversation clearly and concisely. You’re expected to capture the key points and relay them in your own words.

• Speaking Time: 20-30 seconds
  
  

• What’s Assessed: Listening skills, clarity, and logical structure.
  
  

You’ll need to focus on the main points and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary details. A well-organized and concise summary is key.

🔁 The “Beep” Cue in Repeat Sentence

One helpful update in the Repeat Sentence task is the addition of a beep cue. This cue tells you exactly when to start speaking, reducing the guesswork and making it easier to stay on track.

• Pro Tip: Start speaking immediately after the beep to keep your fluency up. Pausing too long might impact your score.
  
  

🖥️ Enhanced User Interface (UI)

Along with changes to the test content, there have been updates to the PTE’s user interface. These changes aim to make the test-taking experience smoother and less stressful:

• Double Mic Check: You’ll now do two mic checks to avoid any audio issues during the test.
  
  

• No Keyboard Check: The keyboard check has been removed, meaning you can get started faster.
  
  

• Circular Progress Indicator: Instead of the traditional linear progress bar, there’s now a circular progress indicator that makes it easier to track your progress visually.
  
  

• Smaller Fonts: The font size on screen has been slightly reduced to fit more information without cluttering the space.
  
  

• Live Audio Waveform: As you speak, you’ll see a real-time waveform of your voice, helping you adjust your volume and clarity.
  
  

⏱️ Changes to Exam Duration and Structure

With the new tasks and updates, the PTE exam structure has also been modified:

• More Tasks: The number of tasks has increased from 20 to 22, thanks to the two new speaking tasks.
  
  

• Longer Exam Duration: The test is now approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is 15 minutes longer than before. However, the streamlined interface means the setup time is faster.
  
  

• More Efficient Setup: With fewer checks and a simpler interface, you’ll spend less time getting ready for the test and more time focusing on the tasks.
  
  

👩‍🏫 Human Scoring for 7 Key Tasks

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of human scoring for seven key tasks. This means that your responses will now be reviewed by human evaluators, not just AI. This shift is designed to better assess your ability to communicate in a natural, authentic way.

Tasks Scored by Humans:

• Describe Image
  
  

• Retell Lecture
  
  

• Respond to a Situation (new)
  
  

• Summarize Group Discussion (new)
  
  

• Summarize Written Text
  
  

• Write Essay
  
  

• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

Human reviewers will evaluate your fluency, creativity, and coherence, so it’s important to express yourself clearly and naturally rather than relying on templates or memorized answers.

📚 Smart Preparation for PTE 2025

🗨️ Practicing Situational Speaking

For the Respond to a Situation task, practice answering real-world scenarios where you need to react naturally. Some examples to practice:

• A colleague asking you to take on a last-minute task.
  
  

• A friend asking you to change your plans.
  
  

• A teacher asking why you missed class.
  
  

When practicing, aim for responses that are:

• Clear and concise
  
  

• Polite and thoughtful
  
  

• Fluent and natural
  
  

Recording and reviewing your answers will help you improve your tone and fluency.

🧠 Mastering Group Discussion Summaries

For the Summarize a Group Discussion task, practice summarizing group conversations or debates you find online. Focus on identifying the main ideas and how they were discussed. You can use transitions like:

• “In contrast,”
  
  

• “However,”
  
  

• “On the other hand…”
  
  

Keep your summary to 20-30 seconds, and make sure it’s direct and to the point.

🧪 Use Updated Mock Tests

Make sure you’re practicing with updated mock tests that reflect the PTE August Update 2025. Look for tests that offer:

• The beep cue in the Repeat Sentence task.
  
  

• Updated speaking tasks.
  
  

• Real-time feedback that mimics human scoring.
  
  

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Relying on Templates: The human scoring will penalize answers that feel scripted or memorized. Instead, aim for natural, authentic responses.
  
  

• Ignoring the Beep Cue: In the Repeat Sentence task, not starting immediately after the beep could hurt your fluency score.
  
  

• Using Outdated Materials: Using old practice materials won’t help you with the new task types and scoring changes. Be sure to use updated resources.
  
  

🛠️ Tools to Make Preparation Easier

Here are some tools to help you prepare for the PTE August Update 2025:

• Angel EduNext Platform (designed for the 2025 updates)
  
  

• E2 Test Prep / PTE Tutorials / PTE Practice Apps
  
  

• Voice recording tools to practice speaking
  
  

• Mock test platforms that simulate the updated UI and scoring system
  
  

📌 Quick Recap: What’s Changed in 2025

• The speaking section now includes 9 tasks, with two new speaking types.
  
  

• A helpful beep cue has been added to the Repeat Sentence task.
  
  

• The user interface now includes a circular progress indicator and live audio waveform.
  
  

• The exam duration has increased to 2 hours and 15 minutes.
  
  

• Seven tasks are now scored by human evaluators.
  
  

💡 Final Thoughts: Be Real, Be Ready

The PTE August Update 2025 focuses on testing your real-world communication skills. With the addition of human scoring and the revamped task types, it’s no longer about memorized answers — it’s about speaking naturally, clearly, and coherently. So, focus on fluency, avoid templates, and practice with updated resources. With platforms like Angel EduNext offering tailored tools for the new format, you’ll be fully prepared to take on the PTE.

Source: Angel EduNext