For scoring well in the PTE speaking section, it is very important to master the summarize group discussion PTE task. But, do you know, what it is and how to attempt this? Well, it is a recently added question type of PTE Academic, where you have to summarize a group discussion within a time span of 2 minutes. Listening, analysing, and presenting key details from the recording concisely, are some skills being tested here.
Whether you are aiming to master this task or looking for samples for reference, this blog lives up to your expectations and offers an overview of PTE summarize group discussion, samples, scoring insights, & experts tips to excel in this section.
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Here’s a catch!
As per PTE Academic Update 2025, there is an addition of two different tasks in speaking section of the PTE Exam, i.e., PTE Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a situation. These will be applicable for the aspirants taking the PTE Exam after August 7, 2025.
The Summarize Group Discussion PTE is a part of the PTE academic exam, which requires you to summarize a group discussion between three speakers in 50 to 70 words. The discussion is recorded, and played only once, and you have to stress on speaker's opinions, key points, and identify the main intent within a precise and short summary.
The main idea of this task is to assess your ability to capture the essence of the discussion without any personal opinions. In addition, a variety of skills, such as grasping, examination, and listening, are assessed thoroughly.
Now that you know what Summarize Group Task PTE is, knowing how to attempt it will make it easy for you to score high in the PTE exam. Thus, learn about the ways in which you can solve it!
An effective response to the Summarize Group Discussion PTE can be done through:
Let us now explore some of the best Summarize Group Discussion Samples provided below that will not only help you get familiar with that task but also help you master it. Read on!
Note: Here is the transcript of a Summarize Group Discussion audio. You will not see this when listening. You will hear the audio once.
TRANSCRIPT:
Speaker 1: There are a lot of challenges for us at university. It’s not just doing well in the courses; we have to be able to balance the academic work with a personal life and also find time to join some extracurricular activities. I mean I don’t want my years at university to be only studying and writing papers.
Speaker 2: I know. There’s just so much to do. I have to get to the lectures, do all the readings and assignments, complete several projects and get ready for exams. I hardly have time to breathe.
Speaker 3: You know, it’s true. My biggest challenge since I started university is managing my time. I can’t seem to get myself organized and I always feel stressed and exhausted and the worst thing is that I just seem to get organized and the term ends and I have to get used to a whole new schedule.
Speaker 1: I agree. That is really difficult. Each course has its own schedule, deadlines and requirements. It’s so difficult to create a consistent routine so I can allocate my time effectively and everything seems to take longer than I thought.
Speaker 2: The worst part is that I often procrastinate and put off tasks until the last minute. I think to myself, oh I have lots of time for that. I have a whole week before it’s due. Then all of a sudden, the due date is in two days and I’m rushed and don’t do a very good job.
Speaker 3: That’s happened to me so many times. The deadlines are weeks or months away and I have trouble with long-term planning. It’s hard to plan so far ahead but you have to or you end up rushed. The problem is that you have to learn to multi-task and I was never very good at that. I like to finish one project and start on another. But that’s impossible when all the projects and essays are due at the same time at the end of the term. You really have to be able to multi-task at university. You have to be able to jump from one topic to another and one type of assignment to another.
Speaker 1: Then, just when you think everything’s under control, the computer crashes!
Speaker 2: If I could manage my time better, I probably wouldn’t be so stressed and exhausted. I’ve never had to discipline myself like this before. In high school, the teachers told you what to do and when to do it. If you just did what they said, you were fine. But in university, it’s up to you to prioritize what tasks are the most important and should be done first. It seems I spend too much time on less important tasks because I like them or they are easier. Then I don’t have time for the more important ones.
Speaker 3: I guess not managing your time effectively means that you end up working more than you really need to and you feel so tired and sort of burnt out. I think the university offers a seminar on time management. Maybe we should all go.
SAMPLE ANSWER:
The group discussion revolves around the challenges of university life, particularly focusing on time management and balancing multiple responsibilities. Speaker 1 mentions the difficulty of balancing academic work with personal life and extracurricular activities. Speaker 2 adds that the workload, including lectures, readings, and assignments, often leaves little time for anything else, causing stress. Speaker 3 highlights the struggle of managing time effectively and staying organized, which leads to exhaustion.
A common issue discussed is procrastination. Speaker 2 admits to leaving tasks until the last minute, which results in rushed, lower-quality work. Speaker 3 faces trouble with long-term planning and the challenge of juggling multiple projects and assignments simultaneously, especially when deadlines and exams cluster at the same time. The conversation also touches on the technical frustrations of university life, like computers crashing unexpectedly, as mentioned by Speaker 1.
The discussion concludes with the realization that better time management could reduce stress, and Speaker 3 suggests attending a university seminar on time management to help improve these skills. Overall, the group agrees that university demands self-discipline, effective prioritization, and the ability to multi-task, which are key to managing academic responsibilities and personal well-being.
TRANSCRIPT:
Speaker 1: I think one of the biggest challenges today is dealing with the rise of technology in education. While it offers many benefits, like easier access to information and the ability to learn anywhere, it can also be distracting. I often find myself getting sidetracked by social media or gaming when I'm supposed to be studying.
Speaker 2: I agree. Technology has made education more accessible, but it also comes with a lot of distractions. For example, online courses are convenient, but I feel that they lack the personal interaction and motivation you get from attending traditional classes. Sometimes, it's harder to stay focused when there’s no one there to push you.
Speaker 3: You’re right. I think the biggest issue is that students are often using their devices for multiple purposes at once—studying, texting, browsing the web, or watching videos. It can be difficult to separate leisure time from study time when everything is on the same device. I’ve found that I need to physically remove myself from my phone to concentrate.
Speaker 1: Absolutely. And with so many resources available online, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. There’s just too much information, and it’s hard to know where to focus. Sometimes, I wish we could go back to a simpler time, where we focused more on books and face-to-face discussions.
Speaker 2: That’s true. While technology can offer so much, it’s crucial to find a balance. We need to learn to use these tools effectively, without letting them take over our time and attention. It’s important to focus on our studies and prioritize what’s really important.
Speaker 3: Definitely. And I think schools and universities need to teach students how to use technology responsibly. It’s not just about using the latest tools, but about learning how to manage our time and focus effectively in an increasingly digital world.
SAMPLE ANSWER:
The group discussion revolves around the challenges technology poses in education. Speaker 1 highlights the benefits of technology, such as easy access to information and the ability to study from anywhere, but also points out the distractions it causes, especially from social media and gaming. Speaker 2 agrees, noting that while online courses offer flexibility, they lack the personal interaction and motivation of traditional classrooms, making it harder to stay focused.
Speaker 3 adds that students often use their devices for multiple purposes at once, which leads to difficulty separating study time from leisure time. To concentrate better, they suggest physically removing distractions like phones. The discussion then shifts to the overwhelming amount of online resources available, which can make it difficult to focus, with Speaker 1 wishing for a simpler, more book-centered approach.
Speaker 2 stresses the need to find balance and use technology wisely, emphasizing that students must prioritize their studies. Speaker 3 concludes by suggesting that universities should teach students how to use technology responsibly, ensuring they can manage their time and stay focused in today’s digital world.
TRANSCRIPT:
Speaker 1: I’ve been thinking a lot about the impact of climate change recently. It’s not just about the weather changing; it’s affecting all aspects of life—agriculture, water supply, biodiversity, and even our health. We need to take action, but it often feels like the problem is too big to solve.
Speaker 2: Yes, climate change is a global issue, and while individual actions can make a difference, it’s clear that we need government policies and international cooperation. It’s easy to feel powerless when the changes seem so large, but there are things we can do. For instance, reducing carbon emissions by using renewable energy is a step in the right direction.
Speaker 3: I think education plays a key role. If people understood the severity of climate change and the simple changes they could make in their daily lives, we could see a much bigger collective impact. Things like reducing plastic usage, conserving water, or using public transportation can add up if more people do them.
Speaker 1: Right, but there’s also the issue of industries and businesses. A lot of the major polluters are big corporations, and they have to be held accountable. It’s not just about what individuals can do; it’s about the policies we put in place to regulate these industries.
Speaker 2: Exactly. Governments must enforce stricter environmental regulations and encourage businesses to adopt more sustainable practices. It’s also crucial to invest in green technologies that can help reduce emissions and make industries eco-friendlier.
Speaker 3: In the end, I think the key is a combination of individual responsibility, government action, and business accountability. Everyone has to play their part in tackling climate change.
SAMPLE ANSWER:
The discussion centers on the global issue of climate change. Speaker 1 highlights how climate change is affecting various aspects of life, such as agriculture, water supply, and health, and expresses concern that the problem feels too large to tackle.
Speaker 2 emphasizes the importance of government policies and international cooperation in addressing climate change, while also acknowledging that individual actions, like using renewable energy, can contribute positively.
Speaker 3 believes that education is crucial in raising awareness about climate change. By informing people about the severity of the issue and the simple steps they can take, like reducing plastic usage and conserving water, a larger collective impact can be made. Speaker 1 shifts the focus to the role of industries and businesses, pointing out that large corporations are major polluters and need to be held accountable.
Speaker 2 agrees, stressing that governments must enforce stricter regulations and promote sustainable practices. Speaker 3 concludes by noting that tackling climate change requires a combination of individual efforts, government action, and corporate responsibility.
For evaluating the summarize group discussion PTE, certain factors have to be considered:
Before winding up this blog, let’s move on to the next section, which is going to cover a few PTE preparation tips by experts for mastering the Summarize Group Discussion PTE task.
So, we are here! Reflecting expertise in the summarize group discussion PTE task is crucial to improve your overall PTE Speaking section’s score. Developing clear summarization, active listening, and structured answers helps you to perform confidently in the exam.
Apart from this, you will be well prepared for this new task with the right strategies and practising daily, which can boost your overall performance.
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Book Free PTE MasterclassAns. Summarize group discussion is a task in the PTE Academic speaking section, in which you will listen to an audio recording consisting of a group discussion and are required to summarize it within 2 minutes.
A rule of three seconds stands as a brief window you get after the audio ends and the microphones open. In simple terms, if you do not speak anything within 3 seconds after the mic starts, then the question is marked as unattempted.
You can summarize a group discussion effectively through:
Some of the common topics for summarizing a group discussion are:
Some of the key aspects of summarizing a group discussion in the PTE exam are as follows:
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