Recent Changes to PTE Academic (2024–2026)

What Has Changed Recently

Pearson updates the PTE test periodically. Here are the major changes you should know about if you took PTE before — or if you're comparing recent advice with older guides.

2023 — PTE Core Launches

November 2023: Pearson launched PTE Core, a separate test designed for general English proficiency. Approved by Canadian IRCC for Express Entry. Different question mix from PTE Academic — see PTE Academic vs Core.

2024 — Summarise Group Discussion Added (Academic)

A new Speaking question type was added: Summarise Group Discussion. You hear a 60–90 second discussion between 2–3 speakers, then summarise the discussion in 40 seconds. Many older guides don't cover this — see our strategy guide.

2024 — Speaking Question Order Standardised

Pearson standardised the order of Speaking sub-types within the Speaking + Writing module. Read Aloud always comes first now — meaning your microphone calibration is tested at the very start. Implication: if your microphone fails on the first Read Aloud, your Speaking score is at high risk.

July 2025 — Updated Score Guide

Pearson released a refreshed Score Guide in July 2025 clarifying enabling skill calculation and how cross-skill question types contribute. The 0–90 scale and section weightings remained unchanged.

2025 — Score Release Time Improved

Average score release time has dropped to ~24 hours for most candidates, down from 2–3 days in earlier years. Peak periods may still take 48 hours.

What Hasn't Changed

• Test duration: still ~2 hours.
• Score scale: still 0–90.
• Section structure: Speaking + Writing combined, then Reading, then Listening.
• AI-only scoring (no human raters).
• Score validity: still 2 years (3 years for AU PR).

Implications for Your Prep

1. If you're studying from a 2022 or older guide: add Summarise Group Discussion to your prep list.
2. Test your microphone heavily in the days before your exam — first-question failures cost more now.
3. Plan around the new faster score release — book your visa application or university submission with confidence in 24-hour score availability.
4. Choose Academic vs Core deliberately — wrong test = entire fee + retake.

Practice on ClearMyPTE

ClearMyPTE's question bank is updated monthly to reflect Pearson's current question pool, including SGD. Practice all current Speaking types and take a recent mock to confirm you're prepared for the latest format.

Source: pearsonpte.com Score Guide (July 2025) and official format updates. Always verify current PTE specifications before booking.