Updates to PTE Academic
We have made some updates to PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI, including two new question types.
These updates – which apply to any test taken after 7 August 2025 – ensure that the tests are an even more authentic and fair assessment of your English skills.
PTE remains the faster, fairer and simpler English test
The same structure
The same sections and original 20 question types remain
Still AI-scored
We judge your English skills, not your accent
Fast results
Get scores typically in 2 days, and in no more than 5
Two new question types
Every PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI test now features two new question types in the Speaking & Writing section of the test:
- Summarize Group Discussion
- Respond to a Situation
We have lots of free resources to help you prepare for these two new question types.
Understand the two new question types
Use the menu to explore each question type and how to answer each one
Summarize Group Discussion
Play
Task
In this question type, 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
Download our Test Tips
Our free download will guide you through the two new question types. This PDF give you:
- test examples
- tips on how to answer questions effectively
- sample answers
Scored Practice Tests
We have updated the Scored Practice Tests to include the two new question types:
- Try the updated test in full
- Practice timing to learn how to pace yourself
- Get a full score report to help you predict your potential score
Other free practice resources
Try a Guided Practice Test
Want to practice just the two new question types? Try our new Guided Practice Test for both of the new question types, and get sample answers.
Try the online speaking course
For sample questions for both our new and existing speaking question types, try our free speaking course.
Smarter scoring
Your responses to some questions will be part-scored by humans as well as AI. But humans will never check your pronunciation or fluency.
Extra questions
The test has slightly more questions overall, but it is still approximately two hours long.
Enhanced scoring criteria
We have enhanced the scoring criteria for some tasks. This will make it easier for you to understand how to get the best possible scores.
PTE is constantly evolving to ensure our test remains relevant and fair. These updates allow test takers to showcase their skills better than ever, as the test better reflects real-world scenarios.
The total duration of the PTE test remains approximately 2 hours because of variations in each test. You will not face any additional time pressure as the time limit for each question has not changed.
The updates are designed to allow test takers to showcase a broader range of English skills, but this does not mean the test is more difficult.
The vast majority of the test remains the same, and the test keeps the same alignment to the CEFR.
We now offer three Scored Practice Tests, which have been updated to include the two new speaking questions. Pearson official Scored Practice Tests continue to be the only practice test that goes through the official PTE scoring engine in which your responses are AI marked against the updated rubrics with simplified scoring.
Yes. Your PTE score report is still valid, even if you took the test before August 2025. The PTE score report is valid for 2 years, but some institutions set a different expiry date, so check directly with your chosen institution for more information.
No. The score report still reports an overall score out of 90, and a skill score for Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The format has not changed.
Yes. There are no changes in the list of institutions that accept PTE. Visit our Who accepts PTE? page to see all the institutions that accept PTE.
If you are applying for a DHA (Department of Home Affairs Australia) visa, some of the score requirements have changed from 7 August. You can find more information about this in our article.
For other governments and institutions, we always recommend you visit their official websites to check the latest requirements.