What are the New Trial Question Types for the PTE Academic Exam?

There are some important updates for those preparing for the PTE Academic or PTE Academic UKVI exams. Pearson is planning to trial one or two new question types from December 11, 2023, to January 31, 2024. These question types will be tested in the Speaking section to determine their potential inclusion in future exams.

Similar to the existing questions in this section, these new question types also focus on evaluating your speaking skills. Although they won't affect your PTE score, it's highly recommended to give them your best shot. Your effort will greatly contribute to Pearson's research.

Let's start with a quick overview of the two trial question types:

Respond To a Situation:

This question type presents you with a daily situation in an academic context. The prompt is available as both text and audio, allowing you to read it if you find it difficult to catch up with the speaker's words.

After listening to the prompt, you'll have 10 seconds to gather your thoughts and decide how you'll respond to the situation. Once the recording starts, you'll have 40 seconds to provide your spoken response using the microphone. Remember to address the situation comprehensively for the best outcome.

Summarise Group Discussion:

In this part, you'll listen to three people engaged in a discussion about a specific topic. Afterward, you'll have 10 seconds to prepare and organise the information you've gathered from the discussion.

Once the beep sound signals the beginning of the microphone recording, you'll have 2 minutes to summarise the discussion of the three individuals. Unlike the “Respond To A Situation” task, the discussion won't be displayed as text. Therefore, you should listen attentively and grasp all the essential details to create a comprehensive summary.

Now, let's address some common questions about these new trial question types for the PTE Academic examination:

Why is Pearson trialling these two new question types in the PTE test?

Pearson aims to improve the assessment of test-takers' English proficiency. That's why they're conducting this trial phase to gather candidate responses and update the test accordingly.

Which PTE tests include the new question types?

Only students taking the PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI exams at authorised test centres will encounter these two new question types. Remember, this trial phase runs from December 11, 2023, to January 31, 2024.

Will these questions contribute to my overall score?

No, these questions won't affect your overall score as they are solely used for research purposes. So, give your responses without worrying about the scoring aspect.

Do I need to prepare specifically for these new questions?

While it's not mandatory to prepare exclusively for these two question types, it's advisable to familiarise yourself with their format and learn how to answer them effectively. Even though they're not scored, putting in some effort will provide Pearson with more realistic data to enhance their test.

Can I skip these new questions?

Pearson recommends treating these questions as any other real questions and tackling them confidently. They won't impact your total score, so why not answer them naturally and to the best of your ability? Your responses will help PTE accurately reflect your English level.

Will these questions be marked separately during the test?

To encourage natural responses, PTE won't flag these questions during the exam. Some test-takers might not even notice them since they resemble other question types. So, no need to worry or deviate from your usual approach. Just respond as you would with any other question to ensure a smooth flow throughout the test.

Is the PTE examination undergoing significant changes?

No, these two new question types are purely part of a trial to support Pearson's research on the PTE test. The exam structure remains unchanged.

Conclusion

That wraps up the details about the new trial question types for the PTE Academic examination. Good luck with your preparation and remember, your contribution to Pearson's research is invaluable!