Speak with Confidence: Your Ultimate Guide to the New PTE Question Types 2025

 

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is introducing some exciting changes starting from 7th August 2025! With the addition of two brand-new tasks in the Speaking section, the New PTE Question Types 2025 are designed to focus more on your ability to communicate naturally in everyday situations. Whether you're applying to study abroad or looking for a job in an English-speaking country, these changes will test how well you can speak in real-world scenarios.

In this guide, we’ll break down what’s changing, why these updates matter, and how you can prepare confidently for these new question types.

🎯 Why Pearson Is Updating the PTE Exam

Language isn’t just about knowing words and grammar—it’s about how well you can communicate in real life. Pearson wants to assess:

How well you understand conversations

How naturally you respond in real situations

How clearly and appropriately you speak

These changes bring the exam closer to how English is actually used in academic settings, the workplace, and everyday life. The new tasks focus on testing real-world communication skills, making the exam more practical and reflective of the language skills you’ll need to succeed.

🔍 What Are the New PTE Question Types 2025?

The New PTE Question Types 2025 introduce two fresh tasks in the Speaking section:

Summarize Group Discussion

Respond to a Situation

These tasks are designed to test how well you can listen, understand, and speak clearly in practical situations. Let’s break down each task and explore how you can tackle them with confidence.

🧠 Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

What You’ll Face:

You’ll hear a 2–3 minute recording of multiple people discussing a topic. After a 10-second preparation time, you’ll need to summarize the discussion in your own words for around 2 minutes.

Your Strategy:

Take quick notes during the discussion, focusing on key arguments, different viewpoints, and any contrasts or agreements.

Stay neutral—your job is to summarize the conversation, not give your own opinion.

Start your response with something like: “The discussion focused on…” and explain the key points from the conversation.

Pro Tips:

Use phrases like: “One speaker mentioned…,” “Another speaker pointed out…,” or “There was disagreement on…”

Highlight both agreements and disagreements to show you understand the full discussion.

Keep your tone professional—avoid sounding casual or overly informal.

🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation

What You’ll Face:

You’ll hear a short 20–30 second audio describing a real-life situation, such as a complaint or a problem at work. After reading a prompt to understand your role, you’ll have 10 seconds to prepare and then speak for 40 seconds.

Your Strategy:

Identify the core issue quickly—what’s the main problem you need to address?

Respond empathetically and clearly—show that you understand the situation and offer a solution or helpful response.

End with confidence, like: “I’ll take care of that for you” or “Let me help resolve this.”

Pro Tips:

Practice role-playing real-life scenarios with friends or tutors—acting out common situations like handling a complaint or offering assistance can help.

Stay calm and speak naturally—don’t rush or overthink your answer.

Use polite, natural phrases like: “I see your point,” “Let me help you with that,” or “I understand the issue.”

📌 Task Format Breakdown

Summarize Group Discussion

Audio: 2–3 minutes

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 2 minutes

Focus: Summarizing key points, viewpoints, and contrasting opinions

Respond to a Situation

Audio: 20–30 seconds

Prep Time: 10 seconds

Speaking Time: 40 seconds

Focus: Offering a clear and empathetic response to a situation

📚 How to Prepare for New PTE Speaking Tasks

Practice Summarizing Conversations

Watch debates, interviews, or panel discussions and take notes on key points.

Practice summarizing these conversations aloud, focusing on clarity and structure.

Improve Fluency with Role-Playing

Partner with a friend or tutor to role-play various scenarios (e.g., a customer complaint, a workplace issue, or giving a presentation).

Time yourself—spend 10 seconds thinking and then respond for 40 seconds.

Learn Useful Phrases for Each Task

For Summarizing Group Discussions:

“The discussion was centered on…”

“Speaker A highlighted…”

“There was disagreement on…”

For Responding to a Situation:

“I understand your concern.”

“Let me assist you with that.”

“Here’s what we can do to resolve this…”

✅ Top Do’s for the New Format

Do maintain a polite and professional tone throughout your response.

Do use transition phrases to help organize your thoughts (e.g., “Firstly,” “On the other hand,” “To summarize…”).

Do focus on the content from the audio, staying on topic without guessing or adding extra information.

Do manage your time well—be sure to wrap up with a strong, confident closing statement.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t use informal or slang language.

Don’t rush through your response—take your time to speak clearly and confidently.

Don’t add personal opinions in your summaries—stick to summarizing the content shared in the discussion.

Don’t stray off-topic—always stay focused on the task and respond directly to the scenario.

💡 Extra Tips to Boost Your Score

Read aloud summaries of articles or news stories to practice summarizing in your own words.

Record yourself speaking, and listen for clarity, pronunciation, and pacing.

Simulate real-world scenarios—practice with podcasts, news reports, or interviews to improve your listening and speaking abilities.

Shadow native speakers—try repeating what they say to improve fluency and natural flow.

🎯 Final Thoughts

The New PTE Question Types 2025 represent a significant shift toward testing real-world communication skills. With these updates, Pearson is focusing on how well you can understand and respond in real-world academic, workplace, and social situations. These tasks are designed to evaluate your ability to speak naturally and confidently, skills that are crucial for success in everyday life.

Embrace the changes as an opportunity to show off your practical communication abilities. With regular practice and a confident mindset, you can turn these new tasks into an opportunity for success. Remember to stay calm, stay focused, and let your communication skills shine!

Source: Angel EduNext