Many MedPro International Explorers will complete the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic as part of their journey to becoming U.S. healthcare professionals. Beginning this August, Pearson is introducing two key updates to the PTE Academic to enhance the test experience and better reflect real-world English use, without changing the core experience that test takers trust.
New Test Questions and Scoring Enhancement
The test will still include 20 questions, and existing question types remain the same. However, two new speaking question types are being added:
- Respond to a Situation – where test takers reply in real time to a scenario
- Summarize a Group Discussion – which involves summarizing key points from a short conversation
These new tasks are designed to be at the same level of difficulty as existing ones, and they offer test takers more ways to demonstrate their English communication skills.
Additionally, AI scoring has been enhanced. The test is still AI-scored, but human raters will be used for content-heavy responses, and tasks such as “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture. This combination of AI and human input ensures a fair and accurate score.
With the addition of two new speaking question types, the overall test time has increased slightly, by up to 15 minutes. However, the full exam will still take no more than 2 hours and 15 minutes, maintaining a fast and efficient experience for test takers. To support you through these changes, MedPro International will provide a range of resources, including webinars, video content, and detailed materials.
What Stays the Same
Despite these enhancements, PTE Academic remains the same trusted test used by millions of test takers, universities, and government agencies around the world. Here’s what you can continue to count on:
- Familiar Format
PTE remains 100% computer-based with its established three-part structure covering all four core language skills. The format of existing questions is unchanged. - Preparation Materials
While new prep resources will be available to help with the new speaking tasks, all existing materials are still good. Test takers should simply be sure to review the two new task types to be fully prepared. - Fast Results
You’ll still receive your score within two days, with only rare exceptions where processing may take slightly longer. - Global Recognition
PTE Academic continues to be accepted by 3,500+ institutions worldwide and is approved for visa applications. (Test takers are encouraged to double-check specific score requirements with their institution or immigration authority.) - No Change to Costs or Policies
Test fees remain the same, and there are no changes to ID requirements or retake limits. - Only Affects PTE Academic
These updates apply exclusively to PTE Academic and do not affect PTE Core or any other Pearson English tests.
Updated PTE Academic – IELTS Concordance Research
Pearson has recently conducted an updated concordance study to help institutions better understand how scores from the revised PTE Academic align with those from IELTS Academic. This research provides valuable guidance for universities, employers, and governments in setting equivalent score requirements across both tests. The full report is available on Pearson’s website for those who want a detailed comparison.
Avoid Templates
MedPro International English Instructor Luci Tyrrell advises Explorers to avoid using templates. Pearson’s AI scoring system can detect memorized or overly rehearsed responses, especially those using common coaching templates. “If your response is too similar to known templates, especially ones common in coaching materials such as APEUni, it may reduce your fluency or content score because it appears non-spontaneous,” said Tyrrell. Additionally, templates often don’t align well with the specific question, causing test takers to sound unnatural, misplace emphasis, or overlook key points, ultimately lowering their score.
Instead of memorizing full responses, focus on learning flexible response structures. These allow you to adapt in real time, stay relevant to the prompt, and demonstrate more natural language use, leading to a higher score.
Get Prepared
To support these updates, Pearson has released a variety of preparation tools, including webinars, videos, and an official YouTube explainer. By staying informed and making use of the new preparation resources, MedPro International Explorers can approach test day with confidence and clarity. Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to guide you through these changes.