Crack the New PTE Speaking Format: Smart Tips for 2025 Test-Takers

 

If you're planning to take the PTE Academic after August 7th, 2025, there are some exciting changes in the Speaking section that you’ll need to be ready for. The updated format is designed to reflect real-life communication more accurately, which means the test will now focus on how well you can speak spontaneously and naturally in everyday situations. Mastering these PTE Academic New Speaking Tips is essential to help you succeed in this revised format. In this blog, we’ll break down the changes, share why they matter, and provide easy-to-follow tips that’ll help you perform your best on test day.

🔄 Why the PTE Speaking Section is Changing

The new PTE Speaking section is all about testing your real-world communication skills. In the past, it was more about your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. But now, it’s about how well you can:

Think quickly and speak naturally, just like you would in a real conversation.

Listen actively and respond to what others are saying.

Handle academic and social situations with ease and fluency.

Language is not just about memorizing words—it’s about how you use them in real-life scenarios, whether you’re in class, a meeting, or just chatting with someone. Pearson’s update brings the test closer to what you’ll actually need in the real world.

🆕 Overview of the New Speaking Tasks

Pearson has added two new tasks that are much more interactive and practical:

Summarize Group Discussion

Respond to a Situation

These tasks are designed to assess how well you can think and speak on the spot, responding to real-world situations where there’s no time to overthink or plan ahead.

🗣️ Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

What This Task Looks Like

For this task, you’ll listen to a 2–3 minute group discussion. Then, you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare before speaking for about 2 minutes to summarize the conversation.

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task

Take quick, efficient notes: Focus on jotting down key ideas or the main arguments presented by different speakers.

Start with a simple introduction: Open with something like, “The conversation was about…” to give a clear context.

Mention at least two different viewpoints: Include opinions from different speakers to show that you’ve understood the variety of perspectives.

Use formal, academic language: Keep your tone professional and avoid casual language.

Stay organized: Use a clear structure like Introduction → Key Point 1 → Key Point 2 → Conclusion to ensure your summary is easy to follow.

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation

What This Task Looks Like

In this task, you’ll hear a 20–30 second real-life scenario, such as a customer complaint or a request for advice. After that, you’ll have 10 seconds to plan, then 40 seconds to respond as though you’re part of the situation.

PTE Academic New Speaking Tips for This Task

Be polite and empathetic: Start your response with something like, “I understand your concern…” to show you’re engaged and considerate.

Speak naturally: Use everyday language and respond like you would in a real conversation—no need for formal, stiff responses.

Wrap up positively: End your answer with a friendly note, like “Please let me know if I can help further” or “I hope that solves the issue.”

Stay calm and confident: Speak with confidence and avoid sounding rehearsed or robotic. Just be yourself.

🎯 Why These New Tasks Matter

These new tasks aren’t just about testing your vocabulary or grammar; they focus on how well you can:

React quickly and appropriately: You’ll be judged on how well you respond in real-time, just like you would in a conversation.

Speak fluently and clearly: The test is less about perfection and more about natural, coherent communication.

Understand and process information: Both tasks require you to actively listen and respond to what others are saying, mimicking real-world communication.

Handle different types of communication: Whether in academic settings or everyday conversations, the tasks test your ability to adapt.

These skills are exactly what you need in both academic and professional environments, so the new PTE Speaking section is much more practical and relevant.

📚 Preparation Strategies That Work

Practice Listening to Group Discussions

Watch podcasts, interviews, or panel discussions where multiple people express opinions.

Focus on identifying the key ideas and the different viewpoints.

After listening, try summarizing the conversation in your own words.

Simulate Real-Life Situations

Record yourself responding to everyday situations—like giving directions, answering a phone call, or solving a problem at work.

Set a timer: 10 seconds to plan, and then speak for 40 seconds. This will help you get comfortable with the timing.

Practice until you feel confident and your responses sound natural and relaxed.

Structure Your Speech

For Summarizing Group Discussion: Use a clear structure such as, “The topic discussed was…” and “One speaker argued that…” to organize your thoughts.

For Responding to a Situation: Follow a simple pattern: Acknowledge → Address → Conclude.

Expand Your Vocabulary

Workplace: “Would you like me to assist you with that?”

Academic: “The speaker emphasized that…”

Social: “Thanks for your patience. I’ll take care of that right away.”

🧠 Bonus Speaking Tips to Boost Confidence

Speak aloud every day for at least 5 minutes. This will help you get used to expressing your thoughts clearly in English.

Try shadowing: Repeat what native speakers say in podcasts or videos to improve your fluency and pronunciation.

Record yourself speaking and listen for areas where you can improve—especially on pronunciation, tone, and pacing.

Focus on clarity over speed. Speak slowly and clearly so that your ideas are easily understood.

Keep a cheat sheet with common phrases and responses that you can use during the test. Having a few go-to expressions can make you feel more confident.

🚫 Mistakes to Avoid

Rushing your response: Take a moment to gather your thoughts before speaking. Don’t rush to fill the silence.

Using informal language or slang: Stick to professional, neutral language, especially in the summary task.

Including personal opinions in the group discussion task: Stick to summarizing what was said, not adding your own perspective.

Overusing filler words like “um,” “ah,” or “like”—they make you sound less confident.

Going off-topic: Stay focused on answering the prompt directly and don’t drift into unrelated points.

📌 What to Expect on Test Day

Summarize Group Discussion

Audio: 2–3 minutes

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: ~2 minutes

Goal: Provide a clear, neutral summary of the discussion.

Respond to a Situation

Audio: 20–30 seconds

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 40 seconds

Goal: Respond appropriately and naturally, as if you were in a real conversation.

✅ Final Thoughts

The new PTE Speaking section is a big step towards making the exam more reflective of real-life communication. It’s no longer about delivering perfect answers, but about how you react and respond in natural conversations. With the PTE Academic New Speaking Tips, you’ll be ready to approach the test with confidence and clarity.

Start practicing early, use the tips we’ve shared, and focus on speaking naturally and fluently. That’s the key to mastering the new PTE Speaking format in 2025!

Source: Angel EduNext