If you are planning to take the Pearson Test of English in 2025, you must be aware of the changes in PTE exam format. The changes will be implemented in the writing and speaking section from 7th August 2025. Also, Pearson has unveiled that these tasks are introduced to assess how applicants communicate in real-life situations. These additions in the PTE exam pattern are crucial to determine the skills required for professional and academic success. You can find detailed information regarding the changes below, such as key skills and tips to ace the section.

PTE Exam at A Glance

Before moving on to the changes in exam pattern, let’s first get a brief overview of the PTE exam. The test is divided in three key sections: speaking & writing, listening and reading. You are required to complete the exam in 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, the duration for each section is different. In addition, it is an entirely computer-based exam and is assessed by an AI engine. Moreover, with its increasing popularity, the exam is now accepted in 74 countries, which are famous destinations to work or study. Now that you know about what the PTE exam is, let’s explore the changes which has been unveiled by Pearson in its exam pattern.

Changes in Exam Pattern

As of 7 August 2025, Pearson has introduced major changes in PTE exam format. It has led to the addition of two new tasks in the writing and speaking section: respond to a situation and summarise a group discussion. You can read the precise data about the new question types below.

Respond to a Situation

This newly added section of the PTE exam requires you to analyse an unreal situation and answer the questions based on the situation. You are need to provide fluent, precise and logical answers in this segment. In addition, it includes 2 to 4 questions that assess your speaking skills.

Summarise a Group Discussion

Summarise a group discussion is another segment, which is added to the syllabus of the PTE exam. In this task, candidates will listen to a group discussion of 3 minutes. Once they listen to the audio, they will get 10 seconds to prepare for the summary. The test takers are required to provide a summary of the discussion in 2 minutes.

Key Skills Required for the Tasks

The changes in the PTE exam pattern require you to develop new skills to attempt these sections effectively. But do you know which skills are vital? If not, then below is the list of most crucial skills to solve these sections.

Grammatical Proficiency

Grammatical proficiency enables you to understand the context and frame a correct sentence structure. This skill underpins effective interaction in both written and spoken English. Moreover, it makes a direct impact on your overall score by ensuring accuracy and clarity of thought.

Strong Vocabulary

Having a strong vocabulary is crucial for taking the PTE test because it enhances your performance. Moreover, a rich vocabulary allows you to explain ideas precisely. It increases coherence and fluency while defining the situation or summarising the discussion.

Active Listening

This skill is crucial for summarising a group discussion segment. It is because you need to listen to all the key points attentively to provide an inclusive summary. Moreover, it assists you in comprehending spoken English while taking the PTE exam.

Tips to Ace these Tasks

Now that you know about the vital abilities, you should gain to secure a strong score in the PTE exam. Let’s explore a few expert tips that provide a competitive edge while taking the exam.

Work on Sentence Structure

Working on how you structure a sentence can have a major influence on your communication ability. Moreover, it directly impacts the scores of your speaking section by enhancing clarity within your ideas. For this, you should try to avoid long statements, as they can lead to irrelevant details.

Time Management

Candidates only get 10 to 20 seconds to prepare for the section, so using this limited time correctly is quite crucial. Thus, you should practice under real exam conditions to learn about time management. It will help you to know how to allocate time for a specific section.

Develop Fluent Speaking

The one thing which remains the same even after the changes in PTE exam pattern is having fluency while speaking. Therefore, make sure to work on your fluency through constant practice. Also, try to interact with people around you in English to enhance your confidence while answering.

Conclusion

The changes in PTE exam are made to assess the key skills required in a proficient and scholarly setting. Also, these changes will enhance relevance and accuracy in defining real-life interaction skills. Further, it leads to shorter exam duration and reduces questions from the PTE syllabus, making it more suitable for you. However, it is crucial to practice regularly to make the optimum use of these changes. You can take online mock tests that are open on online websites like Gradding.com to understand the actual exam pattern. Now you are aware of all the key details to start your practice. Best of luck!