If you’re planning to sit the PTE Academic in 2025, you might be in for a surprise – the test has been updated, and the Speaking section now has two new question types.
These changes aren’t about making the test harder. In fact, they’re designed to make the exam reflect real-life communication skills you’ll actually need in university lectures, workplace discussions, and everyday life in Australia.
If you’re preparing for the test, it’s important to adjust your study plan so you’re ready for the PTE new changes. One of the best ways to do this is by enrolling in a PTE course that covers the updated speaking format and gives you targeted practice for both the old and new question types. In this guide, we’ll walk through what changes in PTE exam 2025, the updated PTE speaking format, how scoring works, and practical strategies to help you prepare with confidence.
Why the PTE Changes Matter
The PTE Academic has always been a go-to test for students, migrants, and professionals heading to Australia. The 2025 update is all about testing communication in a more realistic way.
It’s no longer just about reading sentences or describing pictures – now you’ll be tested on skills like summarising group discussions and responding naturally to everyday situations. That means your PTE speaking practice will need to include these new styles of tasks if you want to maximise your score.
The Updated PTE Speaking Format in 2025
You’ll still see familiar speaking PTE format tasks such as:
- Read Aloud
- Repeat Sentence
- Describe Image
- Re-tell Lecture
- Answer Short Question
But now, Pearson has introduced two new question types. Here’s what they look like and how to prepare.
1. Summarise Group Discussion
What happens:
You’ll hear a short discussion between several speakers – think of it like listening in on a seminar, meeting, or group project discussion. You then have 40 seconds to summarise the key points.
Why it’s important:
This tests your ability to listen carefully, identify main ideas, and explain them in a clear, structured way — skills that are vital for both study and work in Australia.
How to prepare:
- Take quick, clear notes while listening – focus on the main ideas, not every single detail.
- Structure your answer with an opening line, key points, and a short conclusion.
- Keep your pace steady so you’re clear but not rushed.
2. Respond to a Situation
What happens:
You’ll be given a short real-life scenario – for example, dealing with a late delivery, suggesting a solution to a team problem, or helping a classmate. You’ll then have 40 seconds to respond.
Why it’s important:
It tests whether you can think quickly and respond in a way that sounds natural, polite, and well-structured.
How to prepare:
- Adjust your tone to match the situation – professional for work-related topics, friendly for casual ones.
- Use linking phrases like “First of all…”, “In this case…”, or “A good solution would be…”.
- Avoid long silences – keep talking until the timer ends, even if you rephrase your points.
How Many Questions in PTE Speaking?
In 2025, you can expect around 30–35 speaking tasks in total, spread across the old and new question types. The exact number depends on the specific test set you get.
How PTE Speaking is Scored
Whether you’re doing the new tasks or the older ones, PTE speaking is scored using Pearson’s AI-based system. You’ll be graded on:
- Oral Fluency – speaking smoothly without awkward pauses.
- Pronunciation – being clear enough to be understood (you don’t need a native accent).
- Content – including all the important details.
- Grammar & Vocabulary – accurate and varied use of language.
This is why taking a PTE speaking mock test is so valuable – it shows you exactly where you need to improve before the real exam.
How to Prepare for the New PTE Speaking Format
1. Enrol in a PTE Course or English Language Speaking Course
A good course will make sure you’re practising with up-to-date materials and getting feedback on the latest PTE changes. You’ll also get personalised strategies to improve fluency, pronunciation, and confidence.
2. Make Summarising a Habit
- Listen to podcasts, panel discussions, or news debates and practise summarising them in 40 seconds.
- Record your answers and listen back – check if you’re clear, concise, and organised.
3. Practise Real-World Scenarios
- Role-play workplace conversations or university discussions with a friend.
- Focus on sounding natural and structuring your sentences smoothly.
4. Manage Your Time
- Remember, you only have 40 seconds – plan your answer quickly so you can cover all your main points before time runs out.
5. Keep Practising Older Tasks Too
While the new question types are important, the original tasks like Repeat Sentence and Describe Image still carry weight. Don’t neglect them in your study plan.
Example – Respond to a Situation
Scenario:
“The campus café is closed for repairs. Suggest an alternative for students who need a place to eat and relax.”
Possible Answer:
“I know the café is a popular spot for students, so one option could be setting up a temporary food stall in the student lounge. This would give students a convenient place to eat and socialise until the café reopens.”
Once you’ve prepared for the changes, make sure you know exactly how to secure your test date — here’s a step-by-step guide on how to book the PTE test in Australia.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Speaking too quickly and losing clarity.
- Adding too much unnecessary detail.
- Pausing too long (the mic will cut off after 3 seconds of silence).
- Forgetting to structure your answer.
For more practical advice, check out our top 10 PTE speaking tips.
Final Thoughts
The PTE new changes for 2025 are designed to test the kind of speaking skills you’ll use in real life — in class, at work, or in social situations. If you adjust your preparation and practise both old and new question types, you’ll be ready to handle whatever comes your way.
If you want personalised help, the Boston Institute offers PTE courses designed around the updated format, complete with PTE speaking practice for the latest tasks. Our trainers will guide you through the speaking PTE format, help you master how PTE speaking is scored, and make sure you walk into your test confident and well-prepared.
FAQs
What changes in PTE exam should I know about?
Two new speaking tasks – Summarise Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation.
How many questions in PTE Speaking?
Around 30–35, including both old and new question types.
How PTE Speaking is scored?
Based on fluency, pronunciation, content, grammar, and vocabulary.
Are the new tasks harder?
Not necessarily – they just test different skills. With practice, most students adapt quickly.
Can I still use old prep materials?
Yes, but make sure you add practice for the new question types as well.
