From 7 August 2025, Pearson will roll out major PTE Academic test enhancements. These changes will make the exam feel closer to real-life English use. At the same time, the test will keep its fast results, wide global acceptance, and full approval for Australian visas.
In this guide, we cover what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could affect your migration or study plans.
Key Changes from 7 August 2025
New Question Types
Two new tasks will appear in the updated PTE Academic test:
- Respond to a Situation – Read and hear a short scenario, then give a spoken answer in 40 seconds.
- Summarise Group Discussion – Listen to a 3-minute group chat, then give a 2-minute spoken summary.
Updated Scoring Model
- AI scoring will still process all tasks quickly and accurately.
- Human raters will now review long, complex answers.
- This mix makes scoring fairer and rewards meaningful, original responses.
Pearson has updated its IELTS-to-PTE Academic score chart. This will help you know exactly what score you need for your visa or study goals.
| IELTS Score | PTE Overall | PTE Listening | PTE Reading | PTE Speaking | PTE Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 24–30 | 26–32 | 29–35 | 14–23 | 17–28 |
| 5.0 | 31–38 | 33–39 | 36–41 | 24–38 | 29–40 |
| 5.5 | 39–46 | 40–46 | 42–47 | 39–53 | 41–50 |
| 6.0 | 47–54 | 47–52 | 48–53 | 54–65 | 51–59 |
| 6.5 | 55–62 | 53–57 | 54–58 | 66–75 | 60–68 |
| 7.0 | 63–70 | 58–63 | 59–64 | 76–82 | 69–76 |
| 7.5 | 71–78 | 64–68 | 65–69 | 83–87 | 77–84 |
| 8.0 | 79–85 | 69–74 | 70–74 | 88–89 | 85–89 |
| 8.5 | 86–89 | 75–80 | 75–80 | 90 | 90 |
| 9.0 | 90 | 81–90 | 81–90 | – | – |
Test Structure & Recognition
- The structure stays the same: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.
- Still accepted for all Australian visa categories.
- Continues to be recognised by universities and professional bodies worldwide.
New Preparation Resources
Ready to achieve your migration goals? Our MARA-registered migration agents in Geelong and Melbourne provide personalised guidance to help you navigate English test requirements and visa options
!f you plan to take the PTE Academic after 7 August 2025, start preparing now for the new tasks and updated scoring.
Ready to get expert migration guidance? Our MARA-registered migration agents in Melbourne and Geelong can help you navigate your visa journey.
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Reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services
MARA Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2318017
This article is written and reviewed by VisaTasker Migration Services, a MARA-registered migration agency based in Australia. As registered agents, we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct and required to provide accurate, up-to-date advice based on Australian migration legislation. Information is reviewed against the latest Department of Home Affairs policy.
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