Everything About PTE Academic 2025 Changes & How to Crack the New Pattern

Planning to Take the PTE Exam in 2025?
 If you're planning to take the PTE Academic exam on or after August 7, 2025, there are some important changes you should be aware of. Pearson, the exam provider, has made significant updates to the exam format to focus more on real-life English skills rather than simply assessing memorized responses. These changes aim to reflect how you would use English in everyday communication, making the exam more practical and fair. Understanding these updates will help you adapt your preparation and boost your chances of success in the new format.In this blog, we will walk you through the changes, explain why they were introduced, and offer tips on how to adjust your preparation strategy to do well in the updated PTE Academic exam.

Why Has the PTE Format Changed?

The changes have been introduced in response to feedback from test-takers who wanted a more realistic and practical test experience. The goal is to move away from simply testing your ability to memorize answers and instead evaluate how effectively you can use English in real-world situations. The new exam format is designed to better reflect actual communication and to give a more accurate assessment of your English proficiency.

What’s New in PTE Academic from August 2025?

1. Two New Speaking Tasks

The updated exam introduces two new speaking tasks that test your ability to respond to real-life situations:

• Respond to a Situation
   In this task, you’ll be given a scenario and asked to respond appropriately. For instance, you might need to apologize, offer help, or react to a piece of news. This evaluates your ability to communicate clearly and appropriately in everyday situations.
  
  
• Summarize a Group Discussion
   You will hear a conversation between two or more people, and your task will be to summarize the key points discussed in 20-30 seconds. This task assesses your listening skills and ability to condense information accurately.
  
  

2. Beep Sound in Repeat Sentence Task

The “Repeat Sentence” task now features a beep sound that tells you exactly when to start speaking. This simple addition will help you stay on track and eliminate any confusion about when to begin your response.

3. User Interface (UI) Improvements

Pearson has made several improvements to the user interface to make the test-taking experience more efficient:

• Double mic check for more accurate voice detection.
  
  
• No keyboard check for a smoother experience.
  
  
• Circular progress bar to show how much time is left for each task.
  
  
• Larger font size for easier reading.
  
  
• Real-time audio waveform to track your speaking volume while you talk.
  
  

4. Longer Test Duration

The updated PTE Academic exam will take around 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is about 15 minutes longer than the previous version. This additional time is designed to accommodate the new tasks and give you a bit more breathing room to complete each section.

5. Human Scoring for 7 Key Tasks

For seven key tasks, Pearson will now use human evaluators in addition to AI scoring. These tasks include:

• Describe Image
  
  
• Retell Lecture
  
  
• Respond to a Situation
  
  
• Summarize Group Discussion
  
  
• Summarize Written Text
  
  
• Write Essay
  
  
• Summarize Spoken Text
  
  

This change means that you will be assessed more for how naturally and clearly you respond. Memorized answers or rehearsed scripts may not score as well with human evaluators, so it’s crucial to sound natural and confident when responding.

How to Prepare for the New PTE Format

1. Practice Speaking Naturally

One of the main changes in the 2025 exam is a greater emphasis on real-world communication. To prepare for this, practice speaking naturally in everyday situations. For example, think about how you would respond to requests for help, invitations, or advice. The more you practice these kinds of responses, the easier it will be to handle tasks like "Respond to a Situation" and "Summarize Group Discussion."

2. Listen and Summarize

For the “Summarize Group Discussion” task, practice listening to conversations or podcasts that feature multiple speakers discussing a topic. After listening, try to summarize the main points in a clear and concise way. This will help you develop your listening skills and your ability to quickly identify key ideas.

3. Use Updated Practice Materials

To ensure you're fully prepared for the changes, use practice tests and materials that reflect the updated PTE format. Working with new mock tests will help you familiarize yourself with the updated tasks, time limits, and question types, making you feel more confident when it’s time for the actual exam.

4. Avoid Overusing Templates

While templates are still allowed, relying too heavily on them may hurt your score, especially since human evaluators are now scoring several tasks. It’s better to respond naturally and express your thoughts in your own words. Overuse of templated answers may make your responses sound robotic or rehearsed, which could negatively impact your score.

Summary of the Changes

• Two new speaking tasks focused on real-life situations: “Respond to a Situation” and “Summarize Group Discussion.”
  
  
• A beep sound in the Repeat Sentence task to signal when to start speaking.
  
  
• Improved user interface features like a circular progress bar, real-time audio feedback, and larger font size for easier reading.
  
  
• Human scoring for seven important tasks, including “Describe Image” and “Summarize Group Discussion.”
  
  
• The exam duration is now 15 minutes longer, giving you more time to complete each section.
  
  
• The updated test emphasizes real-life English skills over memorized answers.
  
  

Final Thoughts

The PTE Academic exam in 2025 has evolved to better assess your ability to use English in everyday situations. These changes aim to make the test more realistic and reflective of how you would actually communicate in English. To succeed, focus on practicing natural, clear communication, avoid overusing templates, and familiarize yourself with the updated exam format. With the right preparation, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the new PTE Academic exam and perform your best.

FAQs

1. Is the scoring system changing?
    No, the scoring system remains the same, with scores ranging from 10 to 90. Both AI and human evaluators will be involved in scoring.
   
   
2. Do these changes apply to PTE Core?
    No, these changes only apply to PTE Academic and PTE UKVI Academic exams.
   
   
3. Is the test now longer?
    Yes, the test will take approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is 15 minutes longer than before.
   
   
4. Can I still use old study materials?
    Some older materials may still be useful, but it’s best to use updated practice resources that reflect the 2025 changes to the test format.
   
   
5. Are templates banned?
    Templates are not banned, but relying on them too heavily may negatively affect your score. Human evaluators are looking for natural, spontaneous responses.
   
   

Source: PTE Academic August 2025 Update