Has PTE Scoring Changed? Important Changes You Need to Keep In Mind! (Update 2025)

As of November 4, 2024, Pearson is applying brand-new PTE scoring changes for the Describe Image and Retell Lecture tasks. These changes are part of broader updates to English language tests, including PTE and other widely accepted exams. PTE is an official English test accepted for immigration and study purposes, recognized by governments and organizations worldwide, making it an important choice for candidates.

With each PTE update, PTE Magic has seen candidates using phrases and responses that miss the scores for these tasks. The August 2025 update will introduce new question types, such as ‘Summarise Group Discussion’ and ‘Respond to a Situation,’ along with new scoring requirements for test takers.

Let’s find out about these updates and how to keep your score high! Understanding the new question types and how they affect your overall score is crucial for every test taker.

Introduction to PTE Academic Test

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a globally recognized English language test designed to measure the English proficiency of non-native speakers.

Whether you’re aiming to study at top universities, apply for professional registration, or submit visa applications, PTE Academic is widely accepted by academic institutions and government bodies around the world. The test evaluates your skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading, ensuring you can communicate effectively in both academic and real-world settings.

With its comprehensive approach, PTE Academic helps test takers demonstrate their readiness for academic success and meet the English language requirements for a variety of visa and study programs.

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Key Takeaways

• Pearson is applying brand-new PTE scoring changes for the Describe Image and Retell Lecture tasks starting November 4, 2024.
• PTE Academic now includes Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation. Pearson’s official 2025 score guide and prep materials describe the tasks and criteria. Build skills in concise summarising and context-appropriate responses.
• The update is the introduction of double scoring, meaning an automated score is now followed by a human check.
• The new scoring system uses a hybrid model that combines AI scoring with human review, ensuring a more accurate and fair assessment of your responses.
• When used right, PTE Magic templates can be your best tip to handle the PTE Speaking section and help you achieve the scores required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for visa and academic purposes.

Related:

• PTE exam preparation made simple

What Are The New PTE Scoring Changes?

Pearson is making some upgrades to the scoring process for two PTE Speaking tasks: “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture.” The ‘Read Aloud’ task, which was previously significant in scoring, has recently seen a reduction in its weight, making it less crucial for overall reading scores but still important for assessing speaking performance within the exam.

The questions themselves haven’t changed on the content, difficulty, or scoring criteria.

The real update is the introduction of double scoring, meaning an automated score is now followed by a human check.

The new scoring process involves human intervention and human reviewers for certain tasks, ensuring greater accuracy and fairness in evaluating speaking and writing responses.

Writing tasks, such as Write from Dictation and Write Essay, are also carefully evaluated, highlighting the importance of the ability to write effectively for achieving high scores.

Additionally, human experts have always been involved in scoring the PTE tests. They routinely review responses to ensure scores hit the mark.

Only approved English tests taken after the specified test date will be scored under the new criteria, and reading and listening skills remain essential components. The ability to speak clearly and fluently is also a key part of the assessment, reflecting real-world communication demands.

How Does Pearson Score The Tasks?

The speaking tasks “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture” are always based on three criteria: Content, Oral Fluency, and Pronunciation—each scored from 0 to 5.

• Content: This assesses how you can cover all the big-picture details, from key actions to possible outcomes. A full, well-organised recount of main ideas will serve you best, whereas random, disjointed points will get you low scores. Some tasks may require you to summarize spoken text or written text, and providing a clear summary is essential. Writing tasks such as Write from Dictation or Write Essay also require strong writing skills to demonstrate coherence and organization.
• Oral Fluency: This is about keeping your rhythm and phrasing natural, flowing as if in a casual chat. The ideal response sounds confident, and smooth, with no hesitations or awkward pauses. The ability to speak fluently and naturally is crucial, as the exam assesses your spoken English skills through real-world communication tasks.
• Pronunciation: Clarity is key. Speech should be immediately understood by anyone familiar with the English language. You should make vowel sounds and stresses sounding as close to native as possible.

All three of these have been machine-scored so far, but from 4 November 2024, a human expert will also review your content for an extra layer of assurance.

To learn more about how to approach summary, spoken text, written text, and how to respond effectively in both speaking and writing tasks, read our detailed guides.

Reasons Behind The PTE Scoring Updates In 2024

With recent changes and ongoing PTE changes affecting exam formats and scoring, it’s important to understand how these updates impact your preparation and test performance.

Blending AI with human oversight is probably the best way to ensure everyone taking the test gets a fair, accurate result. Human experts have been around all along – not just for training the AI but for monitoring live responses too.

Now, Pearson is expanding their role so that when it comes to the content of these two speaking tasks, a real person will always review it.

Memorised templates are now more easily detected due to increased human intervention in the evaluation process. This means that responses relying on memorised templates are less likely to succeed, as human reviewers are specifically trained to identify and penalize generic or pre-prepared answers.

So what will they be looking for? Mainly that what you say sounds like your own words and not something lifted from a template.

While their scoring systems are already set to detect template use, the human examiner will now cross-check this information for these tasks. Therefore, only genuine, fresh responses will earn a valid score.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Staying on top of important dates is crucial for anyone planning to take the PTE Academic test, especially with recent updates from the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Major changes to PTE score requirements for visa applications will take effect on August 7, 2025. This means that test takers must be aware of the new minimum scores needed for different visa categories, including student visas and skilled migration.

To avoid any last-minute surprises, make sure to plan your test date and preparation well in advance.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on test dates, deadlines, and score requirements, always refer to the official Pearson PTE website and the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Being proactive about these deadlines will help you achieve your target PTE score and keep your visa application on track.

New Question Types and Tasks

The PTE Academic test has introduced innovative new question types to better assess the English language skills of test takers.

Among the latest additions are “Summarise Group Discussion” and “Respond to a Situation.” These tasks challenge you to listen to or read about a group discussion, then summarise the main points or respond appropriately to a given scenario.

This not only tests your speaking and writing abilities but also your critical thinking and ability to communicate clearly in academic and real-life contexts.

With these new question types, there is a greater emphasis on human intervention in the scoring process—human reviewers now assess certain responses to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation.

As a result, test takers should focus on providing original, well-structured answers that reflect genuine understanding and effective communication.

PTE Academic Test and Visa Applications

The PTE Academic test plays a vital role for anyone planning to study, work, or migrate to Australia, as it is widely accepted by universities and the Australian Government for visa applications.

With the latest updates coming into effect on August 7, 2025, test takers need to be aware of significant changes to PTE scoring that could impact their visa prospects.

The Australian Government has revised the minimum PTE score requirements for various visa categories, including student visas and skilled migration.

These changes are designed to ensure that applicants demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency, reflecting the demands of academic and professional environments in Australia.

As a result, achieving the right PTE score is now more important than ever for those seeking to meet English language requirements for visa purposes.

For anyone preparing for the PTE academic test, it’s crucial to double check the latest scoring criteria and target score for your specific visa application.

The new rules mean that only those who meet or exceed the updated minimum score will be considered for approval. Staying informed about these major changes and adapting your preparation strategies can make all the difference in achieving your goals and securing your future in Australia.

Whether you’re a student, skilled worker, or professional, understanding the updated PTE scoring system is essential for a successful visa application. Make sure to keep up with the latest information and prepare thoroughly to maximize your chances of success.

Comparison with Other English Tests

When choosing an English language test, it’s important to understand how PTE Academic compares to other options like IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge English.

PTE Academic stands out for its fast results, flexible scheduling, and comprehensive assessment of all four language skills. The test format is computer-based, making it accessible and efficient for test takers worldwide.

Unlike some other English language tests, PTE Academic uses a combination of automated scoring and human review, ensuring both accuracy and fairness.

While all these tests are accepted by universities and governments for academic and visa purposes, PTE Academic is often preferred for its quick turnaround and modern approach to testing.

Before booking your exam, consider your personal preferences, the requirements of your chosen institution or visa application, and the unique features of each test to make the best choice for your academic or professional journey.

Adapt Your Preparation With PTE Magic Templates

As we’ve mentioned above, Pearson’s scoring system now can detect template-used answers. So how can we prepare our best for these two tasks?

Rest assured. When used right, a template can be your best tip to handle the PTE Speaking section. However, not all templates are created equal. The ones we’ve developed at PTE Magic are tried and tested. Each one is crafted to keep you sounding natural, well-prepared, and crucially credible.

Unfortunately, using templates too rigidly can backfire. Although templates provide structure, overdoing it will make it obvious you’re following a script, which is a quick way to lose points. Be careful using templates incorrectly can lead to wrong answers and lower your score.

PTE Magic suggests you think of them as a framework rather than a line-by-line readout.

You want your responses to sound real, your ideas to flow, and your individuality to come through. With our templates, test-takers will enhance their natural speaking rhythm not boxing them into one. It’s important to complete each task fully to ensure a complete assessment of your English language skills.

With the introduction of new question types like summarise group discussion and group discussion, you’ll need to adapt your preparation strategies to reflect the updated PTE Academic test format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will These Changes Affect The Test Format?

No. The format and duration of the test remain exactly the same. The total test time is not affected by these changes.

What Details Can The Human Expert Actually Access?

They only see your response. No photo, no personal details – just the answer itself.

Human reviewers are responsible for evaluating the content of your response.

Does This Mean A Human Will Be Judging My Accent Now?

Absolutely not. The human examiner is there for content only. The other two aspects – Oral Fluency and Pronunciation – are still scored by AI, so your accent isn’t under human scrutiny.

Could This Delay My Test Results?

Not at all. PTE scores typically arrive within two days, and that’s staying the same.

PTE test takers can be assured that, despite recent changes to the exam format and requirements, they will continue to receive their results promptly.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, students are encouraged to remain calm with these updates. Achieving a proficient or superior English level is essential for student visa and skilled migration applications.

For further clarity or support in preparing for the ‘Describe Image’ and ‘Retell Lecture’ tasks, PTE Magic is here to provide expert guidance and help ensure your continued success.

Compared to other tests like IELTS, PTE assesses key skills such as writing, listening, and reading, which are crucial for meeting visa requirements.

Check out our platform and social media for more newly updated PTE information! The PTE format is approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and meets the competent English requirements for visa purposes.

How to FINALLY Pass the PTE and Achieve Your Dreams   Stop guessing! Start using proven methods that guarantee results!   ✅ Master Every Section: Discover INSIDER SECRETS that secure HIGH SCORES. ✅ Save Time & Effort: Study SMARTER with proven strategies for FAST results. ✅ Real Practice, Real Confidence: Practice with TEST-LIKE questions to feel FULLY PREPARED.   START YOUR PTE SUCCESS JOURNEY TODAY

Last updated on 04/10/2025