Wednesday, July 30, 2025

PTE Academic Exam August 2025 Update: Two New Speaking Questions Explained and Scoring Guide


The
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is undergoing a major change starting 7th August 2025. This update introduces two new tasks to the Speaking section, reflecting a significant shift in the PTE Academic New Questions Format. These changes are designed to make the test more realistic, academically relevant, and aligned with how English is used in the real world.

If you're planning to take the exam after this update, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
including the new question types, scoring criteria, and practical preparation strategies.

Why Did Pearson Update the PTE Exam?

In everyday life, English communication goes beyond grammar rules and vocabulary memorization. Whether you're studying or working abroad, you’ll often participate in group discussions, handle unexpected situations, and communicate your thoughts clearly and appropriately.

Pearson has updated the test to reflect these real-world needs. The goals of this update include:

  • Simulating authentic academic and workplace conversations

  • Testing your ability to think, listen, and speak in real-time

  • Evaluating communication skills rather than rote memorization

This shift ensures that candidates are not only prepared for the test but also for the environments they’re likely to face abroad.

What’s Changing in the PTE Exam from August 2025?

From 7th August 2025, two new Speaking tasks will be part of the updated PTE Academic format:

  • Summarize Group Discussion

  • Respond to a Situation

These tasks are designed to assess a broader set of skills, including listening, comprehension, critical thinking, and effective spoken communication.

Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion

Overview

Feature

Details

Section

Speaking

Audio Duration

2–3 minutes

Speakers

Multiple (group style)

Preparation Time

10 seconds

Speaking Time

2 minutes (approx.)

Suggested Length

50–70 words

Tone

Formal, Academic, Third-person

Attempts

Single attempt

Scoring

AI + Human Evaluation

Skills Tested

  • Active listening to multiple speakers

  • Identifying and summarizing key viewpoints

  • Structuring a coherent and concise response

  • Using formal, academic language

How to Structure Your Answer

  • Introduction: Start with a neutral opening like, “The discussion focused on...”

  • Body: Briefly summarize each speaker’s perspective.

  • Conclusion (optional): Add a general takeaway if time permits.

  • Stay Objective: Avoid inserting your opinion.

Tips for Success

  • Take quick notes using keywords or symbols

  • Use linking phrases: “However,” “In contrast,” “Additionally,” “Moreover”

  • Paraphrase speakers’ ideas instead of repeating them

  • Practice using podcasts or debate recordings

Task 2: Respond to a Situation

Overview

Feature

Details

Section

Speaking

Audio Prompt

20–30 seconds

Scenario Displayed

After the audio

Preparation Time

10 seconds

Speaking Time

40 seconds

Scoring

AI + Human (Based on 3 metrics)

Scoring Criteria

Criterion

Maximum Marks

Appropriacy

6

Fluency

5

Pronunciation

5

Skills Evaluated

  • Understanding and interpreting real-life situations

  • Responding clearly and appropriately

  • Using polite and professional expressions

  • Speaking fluently under time pressure

How to Respond Effectively

  • Read the scenario and understand the context

  • Structure your response as:

    • Opening: Acknowledge the situation (e.g., “Thank you for your feedback.”)

    • Middle: Respond with a solution or appropriate action

    • End: Use a polite closing line (e.g., “I’ll be happy to assist further.”)

Tips for Success

  • Use clear, simple, and polite language

  • Practice everyday English situations (customer service, complaints, requests)

  • Train yourself to respond within 40 seconds without rushing

Why These PTE Changes Matter

These updates aim to bridge the gap between test performance and real-world language application. With the addition of these two new tasks, the PTE exam now evaluates how well you can:

  • Think critically in a discussion

  • Respond appropriately in social and professional settings

  • Communicate naturally in fluent, understandable English

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

Preparation Tips for the New PTE Speaking Format

1. Improve Active Listening

  • Focus on tone, speaker intention, and argument structure

  • Take notes using keywords and symbols only

  • Listen to academic group discussions or debate podcasts

2. Boost Speaking Fluency

  • Practice reading news articles aloud daily

  • Use the “shadowing” technique—repeat after a native speaker

  • Record your responses and evaluate pronunciation and flow

3. Practice Under Exam Conditions

  • Familiarize yourself with time limits (2 minutes and 40 seconds)

  • Simulate test environments using mock platforms

  • Use the 10-second preparation time to quickly plan a mental outline

Useful Vocabulary and Functional Phrases

Situation

Sample Phrases

Apologizing

“I’m really sorry about that.” / “Please accept my apology.”

Making Requests

“Would it be alright if…” / “Could you possibly…”

Expressing Concern

“There seems to be a problem with…” / “I’m not quite satisfied with…”

Seeking Help

“Could you assist me with…” / “I need help understanding…”

Clarifying

“Could you repeat that, please?” / “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”


Final Thoughts on the PTE August 2025 Update

This update is more than just a format change—it marks a strategic shift toward authentic communication and real-life readiness. The new tasks test your ability to listen, think, and speak in dynamic situations, preparing you for university life, internships, and professional interactions abroad.

Start preparing now. Get familiar with these new tasks, build your listening and speaking skills, and focus on clarity and confidence. With consistent effort, you’ll not only succeed in the updated PTE—but also become a better English communicator overall.

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