Understanding the New PTE Question Types in 2025

If you’re preparing for the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, you probably already know about the two new question types have been added to better reflect real-world communication skills and give test takers more opportunities to demonstrate fluency, clarity, and responsiveness.

1. Summarize Group Discussion (SGD) You’ll hear a short group conversation such as a meeting, tutorial, or brainstorming session, and then deliver a short-spoken summary.
This task measures your ability to:

• Identify key ideas and multiple viewpoints
• Synthesize information into a concise and logical response
• Use appropriate linking language to convey relationships between speakers’ opinions

Skills tested: listening comprehension, synthesis, note-taking, coherence, and spoken fluency.

2. Respond to a Situation (RTS)  You’re given a scenario, such as a workplace dilemma or social interaction, and must respond naturally.
This assesses your ability to:

• Think spontaneously and maintain coherent speech
• Demonstrate pragmatic awareness (tone, formality, politeness)
• Show control over grammar and vocabulary in context

Skills tested: fluency, pronunciation, interactive communication, and sociolinguistic appropriateness.

How to Prepare

• Practice active listening (podcasts, discussions, academic panels)
• Record yourself summarizing group talks in under 40 seconds
• Use role-plays for RTS: practice workplace, study, and social situations
• Review updated prep materials and sample questions from Pearson’s 2025 guide

Comparison with IELTS Listening and Speaking Tests

Feature	PTE Speaking (2025)	IELTS Listening (Part 2 & 3)	IELTS Speaking (Part 2 & 3)
Task Format	Computer-based prompts; record spoken responses	Audio recordings of monologues and discussions	Face-to-face interview with examiner
New 2025 Elements	Summarize Group Discussion (SGD); Respond to a Situation (RTS)	No major format change	No change; focuses on extended speech & discussion
Focus	Real-world oral response, synthesis, pragmatic awareness	Understanding factual & inferential details	Developing and supporting ideas in speech
SGD vs. IELTS Listening Part 3	SGD mirrors the discussion format of Part 3, but requires an oral summary rather than written answers	Part 3 involves following multiple speakers and identifying opinions	—
RTS vs. IELTS Speaking Part 2–3	RTS mimics spontaneous real-life replies similar to IELTS follow-up questions	—	Part 2: monologue on a topic; Part 3: abstract discussion
Interaction Type	One-way (to computer)	One-way (listening only)	Two-way (human examiner)
Skills Tested	Listening + synthesis + spontaneous speaking	Listening comprehension and inference	Fluency, coherence, lexical range, interactive skills
Scoring	AI + human moderation	Human examiner	Human examiner
Timing	Integrated within PTE (≈30 min)	30 min total listening	11–14 min interview
Preparation Emphasis	Role-plays, summarization drills, tone practice	Note-taking, recognizing distractors, focusing on gist	Topic vocabulary, paraphrasing, opinion development

How to Prepare for Both Systems

Skill	PTE	IELTS	Overlap & Tips
Listening for main ideas	Required for SGD	Crucial for Part 2 & 3	Practice identifying speaker roles and viewpoints
Spontaneous response	Key in RTS	Essential in Speaking Part 3	Record yourself responding to “why/how” questions
Summarizing speech	Central to SGD	Partly tested in Listening Part 2 (note completion)	Practice 30–40 second summaries of podcasts or TED talks
Tone & register	Important for RTS	Key in Speaking (formal vs informal)	Listen to native discourse styles and mimic tone
Pronunciation & Fluency	AI- and human-assessed	Human-assessed	Use speech-to-text tools to check clarity and rhythm

Both PTE 2025 and IELTS now emphasize what universities and employers value most:
clear thinking, active listening, and confident communication.

Either way, mastering summarisation, fluency, and real-life situational language will prepare you well for both exams as well as for the academic and professional world beyond.

Practice here on Pearsons’ website or subscribe for my material. I generally don’t do mock test but provide practice material that will be vocabulary and fluency.