New PTE Academic Exam Changes 2025 - Explained in Detail

Understand the Two New Question Types

With the update in PTE academic, the total number of questions in the speaking section, which was 7 earlier, has now become to total of 9 questions. These changes are as follows:

1. Summarize Group Discussion

This question type is not very difficult to adapt to. This task is very similar to ‘Summarize spoken text’ question. Here, you will listen to a discussion between three people, then summarize the discussion in your own words.

• Prompt Length: Up to 3 minutes
• Skills Assessed: Listening and Speaking
• Time to Answer: 2 minutes

2. Respond to a Situation

This question type is new to the test takers, but it is not considered a tough task. Here, you will listen to and read a description of a situation. Then answer a question about it with an extended response.

• Prompt Length: Text up to 60 words
• Skills Assessed: Speaking
• Time to Answer: 40 Seconds

Both the two new question types in the Speaking & Writing section are of the similar difficulty level and will asses the speaking ability of the test takers. You have to prepare with the same intensity as these changes do not make the exam tougher.

Preparation Tips for the New Question Types

As these changes in PTE academic test are new, you will need to get introduced to some of the tips that can help you to score well in these particular tasks.

Test Tips for Summarize Group Discussion

• Start the summary by explaining the main ideas from the conversation.
• It is important to mention which speaker said which points.
• While changing the points, use interlinking words to connect your response.
• It is important to denote which speaker agrees or disagrees with the particular idea.
• Remember to denote the points to the correct speaker.
• Take care of the time limit. Do not speak very little or very much.
• Maintain a smooth flow and avoid jumping from different ideas again and again.

Test Tips for Respond to a Situation

• Use the first person speech (such as I, me, etc) and speak as if you are in between a conversation.
• Start with using words such as Hi, or Excuse me.
• Remember to include all the main points, as the examiner is looking for the quality of information you cover in your response.
• Use polite and respectful speech throughout your response.
• Avoid copying the exact words from the prompt and use synonyms.
• Do not summarize the situation. You have to give your side of the response here.
• Avoid repetition of words such as you know and I’d like and others.

These are some of the tips that will help you to cope with the update in PTE exam pattern. So, go through them and achieve a high score in the same.

Additional Test Enhancement

Apart from these, there are several other updates in PTE exam pattern related to questions and scoring methods. So, know about these changes below.

1. Smarter Scoring

The scoring for the total of 7 questions will now include human involvement. However, your pronunciation and fluency will not be judged by them. This step has been taken to check the originality and authenticity of your responses. Here, if you use any template, you will get zero in that particular question. Moreover, the questions with human scoring are:

• Describe image (Already involved human scoring for a long time)
• Retell lecture (Already involved in human scoring for a long time)
• Summarize group discussion
• Respond to a situation
• Summarize written text
• Write Essay
• Summarize spoken text

2. Extra Questions

With this PTE academic change, you will now have an extra number of questions. The 20 original questions will remain as it is, but the 2 new questions will make it a total of 22 questions. Moreover, the PTE section, which had 7 questions, will now have 9 questions in total. It is important to know that the entire test will now have a time duration of 2 Hours and 15 minutes with this update.

3. Enhanced Scoring Criteria

The scoring criteria in the PTE exam have now become more transparent and simpler, making it easy for the candidates to understand and prepare accordingly. With this change, you will be able to get the best possible score for sure.

These are the additional updates to PTE academic test. So, it is clear that the scoring criteria and human involvement have made the PTE exam more transparent and authentic.

Things you Must Know

With these changes in PTE academic, test-takers have developed several doubts and confusions. Thus, in this section, we have tried to cover all these queries and hope to bust all the myths.

• The PTE academic exam will not be difficult. These questions are designed to match the exact level of other questions.
• You will still get the exam results in 2 days. However, exceptions remain similar.
• The countries and institutes accepting this exam will remain the same.
• There will be no change in the price of the exam booking.
• Only PTE Academic will get these changes; other tests remain untouched.
• The exam retaking limit for the students also remains the same.
• The PTE exam dates booking process also remains the same, i.e., through the official website.
• The exam will become a bit longer, i.e., 15 minutes addition than the prior duration.
• The human interference will only be there to check the originality and authenticity of the responses.
• There will be no changes in already booked exam dates before the 7th of August 2025.

Conclusion

All these PTE academic changes are planned with a positive vision ahead. With the addition of these new question types, students will develop more real-life skills and also make the test more authentic by broadening the areas. Moreover, the human interference will eliminate the pre-used templates, making the responses more original. So, if you are looking for the proper resources to prepare for the same, then opt for our PTE coaching online. The academic experts and preparation tools at Gradding.com are always up-to-date. Moreover, we also have PTE mock test with the new updates, helping the students willing to self study for the test.