Crack the 2025 PTE Speaking Section: A Deep Dive into the Two New Tasks
The PTE exam is getting a makeover starting 7th August 2025 with the introduction of two exciting new speaking tasks. These PTE Two New Speaking Tasks are designed to better test your real-world communication skills, making the exam more relevant to everyday academic and professional life. If you’re preparing for the PTE after this change, it’s essential to know exactly what to expect and how to tackle these tasks effectively. Let’s dive into the details, break down each task, and give you the best tips for success.
🎯 Why Is PTE Changing Its Speaking Section?
The goal of these changes is simple: Pearson wants the PTE exam to reflect real-life English communication. Rather than just testing your ability to repeat information or focus on isolated grammar points, the new format evaluates how you use English in practical situations. Here’s why these changes matter:
You’ll be assessed on natural communication skills, not just accuracy.
The exam will test your ability to think quickly, listen attentively, and respond appropriately—all essential skills in academic and work environments.
Spontaneity and structure are now key parts of your score, moving away from rehearsed responses.
The shift toward real-life scenarios makes the exam more authentic and reliable, ensuring your test performance is a true reflection of your language abilities.
🔍 Overview of the PTE Two New Speaking Tasks
The two new speaking tasks you’ll face are:
Summarize Group Discussion
Respond to a Situation
Both tasks assess your ability to understand spoken content, organize your thoughts, and respond clearly and naturally. Whether you’re summarizing a conversation or responding to a real-life situation, these tasks are designed to test how well you handle communication under pressure.
🧩 Task 1: Summarize Group Discussion
What Happens in This Task?
In this task, you’ll listen to a conversation between several speakers discussing a specific topic. Here’s how it works:
The conversation will last about 2–3 minutes.
You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare your response.
Then, you’ll need to speak for up to 2 minutes, summarizing the main points of the discussion.
How to Approach It
Listen carefully and jot down key points from each speaker.
Focus on identifying any common themes, agreements, or disagreements.
Structure your response like this:
Intro: “The discussion revolved around…”
Body: Summarize what each speaker said.
Conclusion: End by highlighting the main takeaway or the group’s overall stance.
Tips to Score High
Maintain a neutral tone and formal language—avoid personal opinions.
Use linking phrases like “One speaker pointed out…, while another highlighted…” to connect ideas smoothly.
Keep your summary brief, focusing only on the main points.
🎤 Task 2: Respond to a Situation
What Happens in This Task?
In this task, you’ll hear a short scenario, followed by a prompt explaining your role in the situation. The details are:
The scenario will last 20–30 seconds.
You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare.
You’ll then need to respond for 40 seconds, offering a solution or appropriate response.
How to Approach It
Begin by showing empathy or acknowledging the situation: “I understand how you feel…” or “I see why this is an issue.”
Offer a clear, practical solution that fits the scenario.
Keep your tone polite, natural, and professional.
Tips to Score High
Use simple, clear language—avoid sounding too formal or robotic.
Even if you don’t have the perfect solution, focus on providing a reasonable and clear response.
End your response politely: “I’ll get this sorted right away” or “Thanks for your patience while I resolve this.”
📌 Key Differences from the Old Format
The PTE Two New Speaking Tasks mark a significant shift from the older format. Here’s what’s new:
The focus is now on real-world communication rather than memorized responses.
Fluency and structure matter just as much as accuracy—you need to express ideas clearly and logically.
The exam now rewards spontaneous, natural speech instead of robotic, rehearsed answers.
The scoring will combine human + AI input, making the assessment more reliable and fair.
The new format is designed to test your ability to handle conversations and situations as you would in real life, not just in an exam setting.
🧠 How to Prepare for the New Tasks
Practice Active Listening
Listen to podcasts, debates, or group discussions and practice summarizing the key points each speaker makes.
Focus on the tone and main ideas rather than just the words.
Simulate Real-Life Situations
Practice responding to real-world scenarios like helping a customer, resolving a scheduling conflict, or offering a solution to a problem.
Use clear, polite, and natural language to sound conversational.
Time Yourself When Practicing
Set a timer to get used to the time pressure:
10 seconds to plan for the Respond to a Situation task.
40 seconds to speak in the Respond to a Situation task.
2 minutes to summarize in the Summarize Group Discussion task.
Stay calm and focused under time pressure.
Work on Your Vocabulary and Tone
For Summarize Group Discussion, use formal language like: “The discussion centered around…” or “One speaker argued that…”
For Respond to a Situation, be polite and professional: “Let me take care of that for you” or “Thanks for your patience while I resolve this issue.”
✅ What to Do in the Exam
Speak clearly, and use simple, neutral language. Avoid slang or overly casual expressions.
Stick to what you hear in the audio—don’t guess or make assumptions.
Keep track of the timer and wrap up your response before time runs out.
Maintain a steady pace—don’t rush, but don’t drag on either.
Stay confident—even if you miss a detail, focus on delivering a clear, structured response.
❌ What NOT to Do
Don’t offer personal opinions in the Summarize Group Discussion task—just summarize what the speakers said.
Don’t memorize answers—they’ll sound robotic. Speak naturally and spontaneously.
Avoid using slang or overly informal language in the Respond to a Situation task.
Don’t overthink your answers—keep them simple and focused.
Don’t panic if you miss a small detail. It’s more important to be clear and organized.
📝 Sample Phrases to Practice
Summarize Group Discussion:
“One speaker mentioned that…”
“Another participant raised the point that…”
“The discussion concluded that…”
Respond to a Situation:
“Thanks for bringing this to my attention.”
“Let me check what I can do for you.”
“Would you like me to suggest another solution?”
🎯 Final Thoughts
The PTE Two New Speaking Tasks are a great opportunity to show off your ability to communicate in real-life situations. With the right preparation, these tasks can work in your favor, helping you score higher on the exam. Focus on being clear, organized, and confident, and with regular practice, you’ll feel fully prepared to tackle these new challenges.
Source: Angel EduNext