Master the PTE Speaking Update 2025: What’s New and How to Prepare

 

Starting from 7th August 2025, the PTE Speaking section is getting an important update that every test taker should know about. Two PTE Academic New Questions Format are being introduced, aimed at assessing not just your grammar skills but how well you can use English in real-world situations. These changes even consider modern communication challenges like "", making it more relevant to today’s global environment.

If you're preparing for the test after this date, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—clearly, simply, and practically.

🔄 Why Is the PTE Speaking Format Changing?

In the real world, English is used for solving problems, sharing ideas, and communicating with people from all backgrounds. It’s not about perfect grammar—it's about effective communication.

Pearson’s new format reflects that. They want to see how well you can:

Understand different perspectives

Think quickly and respond clearly

Use English naturally in everyday situations

This is especially useful for students and professionals planning to study or work in English-speaking environments.

🆕 What’s New in the Speaking Section?

There are two brand-new tasks designed to be more practical and life-like:

1. Summarize Group Discussion

2. Respond to a Situation

These tasks will test your listening, thinking, and speaking skills—just like how you use English in a real conversation.

📘 Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

What You'll Hear:

A 2–3 minute audio of a group of people discussing a topic

You get 10 seconds to prepare

Then, you have 2 minutes to speak and summarize the discussion

How to Handle It:

Focus on what each speaker says. Take quick notes—just a few words or symbols will help you remember key points.

Use this simple structure:

“The discussion was about…”

 “Speaker A believed… while Speaker B disagreed, saying…”

 “Overall, the group shared a variety of viewpoints.”

Tips to Do Well:

Don’t share your opinion—just report what you heard

Keep your language formal but clear

Mention at least two different speakers

Practice by listening to group podcasts or interviews and summarizing them out loud

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation

What You'll Hear:

A 20–30 second recording describing a real-life issue or request

You get 10 seconds to think

Then, you’ll have 40 seconds to respond

How to Handle It:

Listen carefully to understand the problem. Then respond as if you're helping someone in real life.

Use this structure:

“Thanks for letting me know…”

 “Here’s what I’ll do to help…”

 “I’ll follow up with you shortly.”

Tips to Do Well:

Be polite and stay calm

Keep it simple—don’t over-explain

Practice responding to everyday situations, like customer complaints or colleague requests

📌 Format Summary

Summarize Group Discussion

Audio: 2–3 minutes

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Response Time: 2 minutes

Goal: Summarize what each speaker said in a formal, organized way

Respond to a Situation

Audio: 20–30 seconds

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Response Time: 40 seconds

Goal: Give a polite, practical response to a real-life problem or question

📚 How to Prepare for the New Speaking Tasks

1. Practice Active Listening

Watch videos of group discussions or panels

Write down the main point each person makes

Try summarizing the conversation out loud

2. Get Comfortable Thinking on Your Feet

Use everyday prompts like:

“You got the wrong delivery.”

“Your classmate is asking for help.”

“A customer is unhappy with a service.”

Time yourself to get used to the pressure

3. Use a Simple Structure

For any task, stick to:

 Introduction → Key Details → Conclusion

Use phrases like:

“On the one hand…”

“In contrast…”

“To wrap up…”

4. Boost Your Fluency and Pronunciation

Read aloud every day

Mimic native speakers using shadowing techniques

Use apps that help improve pronunciation and speech speed

💡 Handy Vocabulary and Phrases

For Group Summaries:

“The discussion centered on…”

“Speaker A raised the point that…”

“There were differing views regarding…”

For Situation Responses:

“I understand how frustrating that can be.”

“Let me help resolve this for you.”

“Would you prefer a follow-up by phone or email?”

✅ Do’s and Don’ts

✅ Do:

Stay polite and professional

Use a timer during practice

Focus on the task—not perfection

Speak clearly and with purpose

❌ Don’t:

Give your opinion in summaries

Use slang or overly casual language

Repeat the prompt unnecessarily

Rush through your response

🎯 Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic New Questions Format is designed to test how well you can use English in real-life situations, not just how much you’ve memorized. It’s more natural, more relevant, and a great opportunity to show what you can really do.

Start preparing today. Practice listening actively, speak confidently, and get comfortable with quick thinking. With steady practice, you’ll be more than ready to take on the new speaking section—and succeed.

Source: Angel EduNext

Prepare for Success: How to Tackle the New PTE Question Types in 2025

 

If you’re planning to take the PTE Academic exam after August 7th, 2025, there’s a big update you need to know about. Pearson has introduced New PTE Question Types designed to better assess how you communicate in everyday academic and social situations. Instead of focusing just on memorization or grammar rules, these new tasks will test your ability to think on your feet and engage in real-life conversations. In this blog, we’ll break down the new question types, why they’re important, and share practical tips to help you ace them.

🆕 What’s Changing in the Speaking Section?

The New PTE Question Types added to the speaking section are:

Summarize Group Discussion

Respond to a Situation

These tasks are all about testing how you listen, understand, and respond in dynamic, real-world contexts—whether it’s in a university setting or the workplace. You’ll need to move beyond the standard reading or repeating exercises and start thinking and speaking more naturally.

🎯 Why Are These Changes Happening?

Pearson is making these changes to focus on what truly matters in effective communication:

Testing your ability to think and speak spontaneously

Encouraging clear, structured speaking

Mirroring real-life communication environments

Moving away from rote learning to practical language use

If you’re someone who thrives in spontaneous conversations and can quickly respond to different situations, these changes could work in your favor. The goal is to assess how you communicate when it matters most—when you’re responding in real-time.

🗣️ A Closer Look at the New Tasks

1. Summarize Group Discussion

What to Expect:

You’ll listen to a discussion among 3–4 speakers (2–3 minutes).

You’ll have 10 seconds to plan your response.

Then, you’ll have 2 minutes to summarize the discussion.

How to Answer:

Pay attention to each speaker’s main points.

Use formal phrases like: “The discussion revolved around…” or “One participant pointed out…”

Be sure to present both sides of any debate, if there is one.

Wrap it up with a balanced conclusion: “In summary, the group shared differing perspectives on…”

Key Tip:

Stick to summarizing the discussion—this isn’t the time to include your personal opinion.

2. Respond to a Situation

What to Expect:

You’ll hear a brief real-world scenario (20–30 seconds).

A prompt will follow, and you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare.

You’ll then have 40 seconds to respond.

How to Answer:

Start by acknowledging the situation and showing empathy: “I understand your concern…”

Offer a clear, reasonable solution or next steps.

End with something like: “Let me know if I can assist you further.”

Key Tip:

Keep your response focused, calm, and polite. Don’t try to overcomplicate it.

📌 Key Information (No Tables)

Summarize Group Discussion

Audio: 2–3 minutes

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 2 minutes

Goal: Summarize the key points and viewpoints shared in the discussion.

Respond to a Situation

Audio: 20–30 seconds

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 40 seconds

Goal: Provide a clear, appropriate, and polite response to a real-world scenario.

📚 How to Prepare for the New PTE Question Types

Train Your Listening Skills

Listen to podcasts, panel discussions, or debates.

Focus on understanding the main points and who’s saying what.

Practice summarizing conversations aloud, focusing on clarity and structure.

Boost Your Speaking Fluency

Shadow native speakers in TED Talks or YouTube videos.

Try to match their tone, speed, and expression as you repeat what they say.

Practice speaking without hesitation or fillers to sound more fluent.

Prepare for Real-Life Situations

Role-play common scenarios you might encounter, like solving a problem or offering advice.

Use polite, professional language and practice staying calm under pressure.

Pair up with a friend or tutor to rehearse impromptu speaking.

Learn Useful Phrases

For Summarizing Discussions:

“The group discussed…”

“One participant emphasized that…”

“There was disagreement on…”

For Responding to Situations:

“Thank you for bringing that up.”

“Let me explain how we can address this.”

“Would you like to explore another option?”

✅ Top Tips for Success

Think Fast: You only have 10 seconds to prepare, so practice responding quickly.

Keep It Short and Sweet: Don’t ramble—stay on topic and make your points clearly.

Be Polite and Professional: Always use formal language for the Summarize Group Discussion task and be polite and empathetic for the Respond to a Situation task.

Record Your Responses: Listening to your recordings can help you spot areas for improvement.

Prioritize Clarity: Focus on being clear and understandable—don’t worry too much about using complex words.

❌ Mistakes to Avoid

Speaking too fast or unclearly: Speak slowly and clearly so your ideas come across.

Using informal language or slang: Keep it professional and polite throughout.

Adding personal opinions in summaries: Focus only on summarizing what was discussed.

Getting off-topic due to nerves: Stick to what’s asked and stay focused.

Missing the tone of the prompt: Understand the context of the question and respond accordingly.

🧠 Final Thoughts

The New PTE Question Types coming in August 2025 are designed to test your real-life communication skills. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about sounding natural, clear, and confident in your responses. By understanding the new tasks, practicing in realistic conditions, and focusing on structured, effective communication, you’ll be well-prepared for the changes.

Source: Angel EduNext

PTE Academic 2025: Complete Guide to Major Changes, New Speaking Format, and Updated Preparation Strategy

 

If you’re planning to take the PTE after August 7th, 2025, then you're in for a big shift. The PTE August Update 2025 introduces some important changes — especially to the speaking section — along with tweaks to the user interface and how your answers are scored. Whether you're looking to study abroad or planning to migrate, these updates will have a direct impact on how you should prepare. Let’s break down the changes, so you’re fully prepared for the new format!

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

Pearson has revamped the PTE Academic to reflect more real-world communication. Instead of just focusing on structured answers or memorized templates, the new test format emphasizes fluency, natural tone, and clarity — all the things that matter in everyday conversations. These changes come from feedback collected from thousands of test-takers, as well as data from global educational trends and pilot tests. The goal is simple: reward actual communication skills rather than rote memorization.

🗣️ Two New Speaking Tasks

🔊 Respond to a Situation

This new task is all about reacting to real-life scenarios in a natural way. You’ll hear a situation — for example, being invited to a party while you’re feeling sick — and then need to respond as if you were in the situation.

Preparation Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 30-40 seconds

What’s Assessed: Fluency, tone, clarity, and appropriateness of response

Sample Scenarios:

“Your boss asks you to work late, but you already have family plans.”

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

What matters here is how you express yourself naturally — not memorized lines.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Summarize a Group Discussion

In this task, you’ll listen to a conversation between 2 to 4 people discussing a topic. Then, you’ll summarize the key points in your own words. Think of it like reporting a team discussion, highlighting the main ideas clearly.

Speaking Time: 20-30 seconds

What’s Assessed: Listening comprehension, summary clarity, and logical structure

Be concise, clear, and stick to the main points. Avoid adding unnecessary details.

🔁 The New “Beep” Cue in Repeat Sentence

To make the Repeat Sentence task easier, Pearson has introduced a helpful “beep” cue. When you hear the beep, that’s your cue to start speaking — no more guessing when to begin!

Pro Tip: Start speaking immediately after the beep. Pausing too long can hurt your fluency score.

🖥️ Smarter User Interface (UI) Updates

It’s not just the questions that have changed; the PTE August Update 2025 also improves the overall test-taking experience. Here are the UI updates to look out for:

Mic Check Now Happens Twice: A second mic check ensures your microphone is working properly, so no unexpected issues during the test.

No More Keyboard Check: You won’t be distracted by a keyboard check before the test begins. This helps you start more smoothly.

Circular Progress Indicator: The old linear progress bar is replaced by a circular one, making it easier to track your time in a more intuitive way.

Smaller Fonts and Layout Changes: Expect slightly smaller fonts, allowing more info to be displayed on the screen, but this could take a little getting used to.

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

⏱️ Exam Duration and Structure Changes

The structure and timing of the exam have been updated as well:

Tasks Increased: From 20 to 22 tasks (thanks to the addition of two new speaking tasks).

Total Duration: The exam now lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes — that’s 15 extra minutes compared to the old version.

Faster Setup: Despite the longer duration, the updated interface ensures a quicker and smoother setup process.

👩‍🏫 Human Evaluation for 7 Key Tasks

Here’s the big change: seven key tasks in the PTE will now be reviewed by human examiners. This move is designed to discourage robotic, memorized answers and encourage test-takers to give more genuine, thoughtful responses.

Tasks Now Scored by Humans:

Describe Image

Retell Lecture

Respond to a Situation (new)

Summarize Group Discussion (new)

Summarize Written Text

Write Essay

Summarize Spoken Text

With human evaluation, fluency, creativity, and structure matter more than ever.

📚 Smart Preparation for PTE 2025

🗨️ Practicing Situational Speaking

For the Respond to a Situation task, it’s important to practice real-life conversations. Think about how you’d respond to situations like:

A teacher asking about your missed assignment.

A friend canceling plans at the last minute.

A neighbor complaining about noise.

Follow this structure for your answers:

Opening → Main Point → Polite Closure

Record your responses, listen to them, and work on improving your fluency and tone.

🧠 Mastering Group Discussion Summaries

To prepare for Summarize a Group Discussion, try listening to podcasts or debates with multiple speakers. Pay attention to how opinions shift and how speakers use transitions like:

“On the other hand…”

“However…”

“In contrast…”

Practice summarizing discussions in under 30 seconds. Keep your summary clear, concise, and logical.

🧪 Use Updated Mock Tests

To prepare effectively, use mock tests that are aligned with the PTE August Update 2025. Look for:

The new beep cue for Repeat Sentence

Updated question formats and task types

Real-time feedback that simulates human scoring

Simulated user interface with progress circle and live waveform

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Relying on Templates: Avoid using memorized answers. The human evaluators will spot them, and they’ll hurt your score.

Ignoring the Beep Cue: Don’t miss the beep in the Repeat Sentence task. Start speaking immediately to score better.

Using Old Materials: Practice with updated materials that reflect the new test structure and tasks.

🛠️ Tools to Make Preparation Easier

To ensure your preparation is up to date, use tools and platforms that reflect the PTE August Update 2025:

Angel EduNext Platform (fully updated with 2025-specific content)

E2 Test Prep / PTE Tutorials / PTE Practice Apps

Voice recording tools to track your speaking progress

Mock test platforms that simulate the updated interface and real-time scoring

📌 Quick Recap: What’s Changed in 2025

The speaking section now includes 9 tasks, with two new tasks

The beep cue is now part of Repeat Sentence

New user interface with a progress circle and live waveform

Test duration is now 2 hours and 15 minutes

Seven tasks are now scored by human evaluators

💡 Final Thoughts: Be Real, Be Ready

The PTE August Update 2025 is all about testing real communication skills. If you want to succeed, move away from memorized responses and focus on natural, fluent speaking. This is your chance to show how well you can communicate in real-world situations. To make sure you're fully prepared for the updated PTE, Angel EduNext offers the right tools and resources to help you succeed.

Source: Angel EduNext