PTE Academic August 2025 Update: New Speaking Questions & How to Tackle Them

If you’re planning to take the PTE Academic exam after 7th August 2025, there are two important updates you need to know. Pearson is introducing new PTE question types in the Speaking section to better assess real-world communication skills. These changes focus on evaluating how well you understand and respond to spoken English—just like you would in academic, professional, or everyday situations.

Why Did Pearson Update the PTE?

Pearson’s decision to update the PTE reflects a move toward testing practical communication rather than memorized responses. In real life, speaking English involves:

• Understanding others’ viewpoints
  
  

• Responding naturally and clearly
  
  

• Participating in conversations and discussions
  
  

Whether you're studying abroad or working in an English-speaking country, these are the skills you’ll use daily. The updated exam now aligns more closely with these real-world communication needs.

What’s New in the PTE Speaking Section?

Starting 7th August 2025, the Speaking section will include two new tasks:

1. Summarize Group Discussion

This task simulates a group conversation involving multiple speakers. You must listen carefully and then summarize the key points in your own words.

What to Expect:

• A 2–3 minute audio of a group discussion
  
  

• 10 seconds to prepare your response
  
  

• 2 minutes of speaking time to summarize
  
  

Skills Tested:

• Listening comprehension
  
  

• Summarizing multiple viewpoints
  
  

• Speaking fluently and clearly
  
  

Tips for Success:

• Identify the main arguments presented by each speaker
  
  

• Stay neutral—avoid giving your own opinion
  
  

• Use linking phrases such as:
  
  

• “On the other hand”
  
  

• “In contrast”
  
  

• “For example”

2. Respond to a Situation

This task places you in a common real-life scenario. You’ll hear a short audio and see a written prompt. You then respond as if you're part of the situation—for example, assisting a customer, replying to feedback, or handling a polite conversation.

What to Expect:

• 20–30 seconds of an audio prompt
  
  

• A written scenario provided after the audio
  
  

• 10 seconds to prepare
  
  

• 40 seconds to speak your response
  
  

Skills Tested:

• Interpreting context accurately
  
  

• Speaking fluently and naturally
  
  

• Using appropriate tone and language
  
  

Tips for Success:

• Imagine yourself in the situation and respond accordingly
  
  

• Use polite, clear language like:
  
  

• “I completely understand.”
  
  

• “Let me help you with that.”
  
  

• Keep your response concise and relevant
  
  

Why These Changes Matter

These new question types better reflect how English is used in real life—whether you're in a classroom, at work, or interacting with others socially. Pearson is shifting from testing your memory to assessing your true communication ability.

By focusing on how well you understand spoken English and how appropriately you respond, the updated PTE provides a more accurate measure of your English proficiency.

How to Prepare for the Updated PTE Speaking Section

1. Practice Active Listening

• Listen to podcasts, debates, or academic discussions
  
  

• Identify key points and viewpoints
  
  

• Summarize discussions in your own words
  
  

2. Improve Speaking Fluency

• Read aloud from news articles or blog posts daily
  
  

• Record your responses to situational prompts
  
  

• Review your recordings to improve clarity and confidence
  
  

3. Strengthen Time Management

• In the Summarize Group Discussion task, focus on main ideas, not every detail
  
  

• Practice speaking within time limits (2 minutes for summaries, 40 seconds for responses)
  
  

• Develop strategies to quickly structure your answer in the 10-second prep time
  
  

Useful Vocabulary to Practice

Having a ready set of functional phrases will help you sound natural and appropriate during your responses.

Purpose	Examples
Purpose	“The purpose of this discussion is to...”
Apologizing	“I’m sorry for the confusion.”
Making Requests	“Could you help me with...?”
Expressing Concern	“There seems to be a problem with...”
Clarifying	“Could you clarify what you mean by...?”
Responding	“Yes, I understand what you’re saying.”

Final Thoughts

The August 2025 PTE Academic update is a major step toward making the exam more meaningful and applicable to real-world communication. These new question types offer candidates a chance to demonstrate their true English skills, beyond grammar rules and memorized templates.

If you start preparing now, focusing on listening, fluency, and natural speech, you’ll be well-equipped not only for the test but also for real academic and professional situations.