If you’re planning to take the PTE test soon, there’s some important news for you. Pearson, the company behind the PTE, has introduced several big changes starting in June 2025. These updates aim to make the exam smoother and more reliable, especially for the speaking section.
1. Keyboard Check Removed: Less Time, More Focus
Before June 2025, when you started your PTE exam, you had to do a keyboard check. This meant you had to look at a keyboard layout on the screen and match it with your physical keyboard. It was designed to make sure you were familiar with the keys. But this step is now removed.
2. Double Microphone & Headphone Check: Twice the Safety
In the past, some test takers faced problems during the speaking part because their microphones or headphones weren’t working properly. This caused stress and sometimes even lower scores.
To fix this, Pearson now requires you to test your microphone and headphones twice, once at the beginning and once again before the speaking section starts.
Why is this helpful?
Doing the check twice means there’s a better chance to catch any technical issues early. You can fix problems before you start speaking, so your voice gets recorded clearly.
Are you ready to test your skills?
3. Live Pitch Movement Graph: See Your Voice Live
One of the biggest changes is a brand-new live pitch movement graph that appears on your screen while you speak. It’s a circular graph that moves in real-time based on the pitch of your voice.
Why is this useful?
- You can immediately tell if your microphone is picking up your voice.
- No more waiting to find out if the audio was recorded.
- It works like a confidence booster because you see live proof that your voice is heard.
4. Loud Beep Sound in More Tasks: Stay Alert!
If you’ve taken PTE before, you might remember hearing a beep sound telling you when to start speaking. Before June 2025, this beep only played in three tasks:
- Read Aloud
- Describe Image
- Retell Lecture
Now, the beep sound will also play in the Repeat Sentence task.
5. New Circular Audio Bar: Modern and Useful
The old rectangular audio bar you saw during speaking tasks has now been replaced by a new circular audio bar. This new bar moves based on your voice pitch, much like the pitch graph, and gives you a visual clue that your microphone is working properly.
Why does this matter?
Seeing a moving audio bar helps you stay sure your voice is being recorded. It’s another way the test supports you during the exam and reduces technical worries.
6. Updated Drag and Drop UI in Reading Section: A Fresh Look
In the Reading section, there’s a small but noticeable change in the Drag and Drop Blanks task. The options bar at the bottom, where you drag words or phrases from, now has a black background with white letters instead of the old design.
What’s the impact?
This is mostly a visual update and won’t affect how you complete the task. But if you are used to the old look, it might surprise you a little at first.
Are you ready to test your skills?
What Should You Do to Prepare?
These changes are designed to help you have a smoother test experience, but they also mean you should update how you practice.
Here are some tips:
- Practice with PTE mock tests: Many of the new features, like the pitch graph and double mic checks, are already part of the PTE mock tests. Use these to get used to the new interface.
- Check your hardware: Test your microphone and headphones on your device well before the exam day.
- Be ready for the beep: Try to get comfortable with the loud beep sounds in the Repeat Sentence and other speaking tasks.
- Stay calm: The new features like live pitch graph are there to help you. Trust the technology and focus on your answers.
Pearson’s major PTE updates in June 2025 focus mostly on improving your speaking test experience by giving you more feedback and reducing technical problems. From removing the keyboard check to adding a double microphone test and a live pitch graph, these changes make the exam more student-friendly.
