If you’re preparing for the PTE Academic exam, it’s
important to know that Pearson has officially updated the PTE test format
starting August 7, 2025. These updates are now active and apply to PTE
Academic and PTE Academic UKVI candidates worldwide.
This blog post provides a complete overview of what has
changed, how it affects your preparation, and what you should do to adapt to
the new format.
What’s New in the PTE Exam?
Pearson has made the following major changes to the Speaking
section and the overall test interface:
1. Two New Speaking Tasks Introduced
Respond to a Situation
- In
this task, test takers are presented with a real-life situation and must
speak appropriately.
- Example:
You may be asked to leave a voicemail, apologize for being late, or
request help.
Summaries a Group Discussion
- You
will listen to a short group conversation (usually between 2–4 speakers)
and then summarize the key points in your own words.
- This
tests your ability to process multiple speakers and convey a clear
summary.
These new question types are designed to better reflect how
English is used in real-life and professional environments.
Other Key Changes in the Exam Interface
Along with the new tasks, Pearson has updated the test
layout and user experience to make the exam more efficient:
- A beep
sound has been added at the start of the “Repeat Sentence” task to
help you know when to begin.
- The progress
bar is now circular instead of linear, offering a more visual
way to track time.
- The mic
check now happens twice for better clarity, and the previous keyboard
check has been removed.
- You’ll
now see a live voice waveform during speaking tasks, which helps
ensure your microphone is picking up your voice correctly.
- Font
sizes are slightly smaller, especially for listening and reading
tasks, so test takers should practice reading more compact text.
Has the PTE Exam Duration Changed?
Yes, the exam is now slightly longer.
- The overall
test duration is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, compared to the
previous 2 hours.
- The
added time comes from the two new speaking tasks, but the rest of the
sections remain mostly the same in structure.
Impact on Your PTE Preparation
If your test is scheduled on or after August 7, 2025,
your preparation strategy should include the following:
Update Your Practice Material
Ensure your mock tests and preparation sources include the
new task types.
Practice Real-Life Speaking Scenarios
Work on leaving voicemails, making requests, and summarizing
conversations to build natural fluency.
Get Used to the New Interface
Familiarize yourself with the circular timer, beep sounds,
and voice waveform display.
Improve Listening and Summarising Skills
The group discussion task requires quick note-taking and
accurate summarization in real-time.
Who Is Affected by This Change?
These updates apply only to the following exams:
- PTE
Academic
- PTE
Academic UKVI
There are no changes in the PTE Core or PTE Home
exams at this time.
Final Thoughts
The new changes introduced by Pearson aim to make the PTE
exam more reflective of real-world communication. As a test taker, this is your
opportunity to not just memorize templates but to truly improve your communication
and listening skills.
At IELTA Pro, we have already updated our course
material, mock tests, and classroom strategies to match the new format. If
you’re preparing for PTE after August 7, join our training and stay one step
ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the changes in the PTE exam from August 7,
2025?
The updated PTE Academic now includes two new speaking
tasks: “Respond to a Situation” and “Summaries a Group Discussion.” Interface
features like the timer, beep sounds, and microphone check have also been
improved.
2. Do these changes apply to all PTE exams?
No. These changes only apply to PTE Academic and PTE
Academic UKVI. PTE Core and PTE Home remain unchanged.
3. Has the exam duration increased?
Yes, the test is now approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
long, due to the addition of the new speaking tasks.
4. What is the new “Respond to a Situation”
task?
You’ll be asked to speak in response to a practical,
everyday scenario, such as apologizing or leaving a voicemail. It’s designed to
assess real-world communication skills.
5. How should I prepare for the updated format?
You should practice listening to group conversations,
summarizing key ideas, and speaking in real-life scenarios. Use updated
materials that reflect the new task types.