PTE Academic · Speaking · S6
PTE Academic Speaking: Summarize Group Discussion
Summarize Group Discussion was added to PTE Academic in August 2025. You hear a discussion between three speakers, lasting up to about 3 minutes, once. You then have 10 seconds to prepare and up to 2 minutes to summarise the topic, each speaker's view and any conclusion aloud.
- Items per test
- 2–3
- Audio
- Up to about 3 minutes, three speakers, played once
- Preparation
- 10 seconds
- Speaking time
- Up to 2 minutes
- Response type
- Spoken summary
How it works
- 1The discussion plays once. You can take notes while you listen.
- 2When it ends, a 10-second preparation countdown starts.
- 3You summarise the discussion into the microphone for up to 2 minutes.
- 4As in other speaking tasks, a long silence can end the recording early.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Three students discuss whether their seminar group should present in person or submit a recorded video. Maya prefers in person for the live questions. Tom wants a video so they can edit mistakes. Jessica suggests a live presentation with a short recorded demo, and the others agree. Summarise the discussion.
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: "The students were deciding how to deliver their seminar presentation. Maya argued for presenting in person because it allows live questions. Tom preferred a recorded video, since mistakes could be edited out. Jessica proposed a compromise: a live talk with a short recorded demonstration, and the group accepted this."
The summary names the topic, gives each speaker's position with a reason, and states the outcome. That structure works for almost any three-person discussion.
Tips that work
- Split your notes into three columns, one per speaker, with a short fourth line for the outcome.
- Track agreement and disagreement words ('I see your point, but…', 'that works for me'); they signal how views change.
- Open with the topic, then speaker by speaker, then the conclusion. Two minutes is enough for this without rushing.
- Refer to speakers by name or role ('the first student', 'the tutor') so the listener can follow who said what.
Common mistakes
- Giving your own opinion instead of reporting the speakers' views.
- Summarising only the first speaker because notes on the later ones are thin.
- Stopping after 40 seconds as if it were Re-tell Lecture.
Questions candidates ask
Is this a writing or speaking task?
It is a spoken response recorded in Part 1. Some older preparation material describes it differently; the current format asks you to speak.
When was it introduced?
It is one of two task types added to PTE Academic on 7 August 2025, alongside Respond to a Situation.
Which skill scores does it count towards?
Pearson's current score guide lists exactly how each task contributes; check it for the up-to-date breakdown.
Other PTE Academic Speaking tasks
PTE Academic overviewPTE Academic Speaking: all partsPTE Academic full mock testsPTE Academic articles on the blog