Pearson Announces New Enhancements to the PTE Academic Test in 2025
Pearson, the global education company behind the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English), has announced a significant upgrade to its English language testing experience. According to Pearson's official announcement, two new sections will be introduced as part of the ongoing effort to provide a more holistic and effective assessment of real-world English skills.
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What is the PTE Academic?
The PTE Academic is a computer-based English language proficiency test accepted globally for study, work, and migration. It assesses the test taker's ability to use English in academic and real-life settings, using integrated task formats.
PTE is widely accepted in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada for student visa, skilled migration, and permanent residency purposes. The test is fully computer-scored and offers results within 48 hours.
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What's New in PTE Academic?
Pearson is introducing two new unscored, optional sections starting in late 2025:
PTE Academic Scenario-Based Communication Test
PTE Academic Test of English for Young Learners (TEYL)
These additions are intended to give test-takers an opportunity to demonstrate English skills in broader, real-world contexts.
While these two sections will not affect the final test score, they are designed to help universities, employers, and other stakeholders assess soft skills, such as communication and practical language use - going beyond traditional academic measures.
Structure of the PTE Academic Test
The PTE Academic is divided into four main sections, each designed to assess different skill areas:
1. Speaking and Writing (54-67 minutes)
Read Aloud
Repeat Sentence
Describe Image
Re-tell Lecture
Answer Short Question
Summarize Written Text
Essay Writing
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2. Reading (29-30 minutes)
Multiple Choice (Single Answer)
Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers)
Re-order Paragraphs
Reading: Fill in the Blanks
Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks
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3. Listening (30-43 minutes)
Summarize Spoken Text
Multiple Choice (Multiple/Single Answers)
Fill in the Blanks
Highlight Correct Summary
Select Missing Word
Highlight Incorrect Words
Write from Dictation​​
PTE Academic vs IELTS - Key Differences
Pearson's latest enhancements to the PTE Academic test reflect a broader vision of assessing practical communication skills, making it even more aligned with real-life English usage. While the core test structure remains unchanged, the optional new sections offer candidates a chance to highlight a wider range of competencies.
Whether you're preparing for study, work, or migration, staying informed about changes in language testing formats like PTE can help you make smarter decisions in your preparation journey.
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