How PTE Summarize Group Discussion Works

With the 2025 PTE new changes – they introduced 2 new speaking tasks – we’ll focus on one of them here called ‘Summarize Group Discussion’. This task evaluates your ability to listen to a conversation involving multiple speakers, identify key points, and clearly summarize them orally.

In other words it gives points in your SPEAKING (mostly for oral fluency) and your LISTENING (for including enough keywords from the audio).

It’s designed to assess real-world communication skills – specifically how well you can understand multiple perspectives and convey the essence of a conversation.

PTE Summarize Group Discussion – EXPLAINED

In this task, you will hear a 2–3-minute conversation between three speakers. You then have just 10 seconds to prepare before speaking for 90 to 120 seconds to summarize what was discussed. Each speaker will share different views or suggestions on a common topic. Your challenge is to accurately identify and deliver their main points clearly.

Summarize Group Discussion – Scoring Criteria

You are scored in four main areas:
– Content: Did you cover all three speakers and their key points?
– Oral Fluency: Did you speak smoothly and confidently?
– Pronunciation: Were your words clear and easy to understand?
– Structure and Coherence: Was your summary logically organized?

Effective Note-Taking Strategies

Try to catch the main topic (T) and speaker labels (S1, S2, S3), short keywords to note down what each of them is saying, and of course a conclusion (C). Don’t write full sentences. Focus on opinions, suggestions, and contrasts.

Example:
– T: make uni campus more env. friendly
– S1: bins full, must act …
– S2: recycle batteries = save $ and planet …
– S3: art comp, posters, student help …
– C: will talk about it on podcast

Structuring Your Spoken Summary

Use this simple structure:
1. Introduction – What’s the topic?
2. Speaker 1 – Their main point(s)
3. Speaker 2 – Their main point(s)
4. Speaker 3 – Their main point(s)
5. Conclusion – What’s the outcome or consensus?

Here’s how we suggest organizing your notes BEFORE Summarize Group Discussion starts:

BUT in reality, by the time you’re done – it will look more like this:

NOTE: we found it extremely helpful to draw arrows between your notes, so it’s easier to summarize group discussion in sequence, chronologically.

Use Transition Phrases

Helpful transitions:
– ‘Firstly, the first speaker…’
– ‘In contrast, the second speaker…’
– ‘Finally, the third speaker…’
– ‘Overall, the group suggested…’

Real Example of a High-Quality Summary

Example:

‘The speakers focused on the topic of how to make their university campus more environmentally friendly. PTE Summarize Group Discussion How to Take Notes

The first speaker said that she’d like to make the campus greener, and thought that all students can be more proactive about this.

The second speaker noted that they could recycle batteries to extra materials, which would help the economy and encourage others to recycle more.

The third speaker came up with the idea to have a competition, like using artwork to promote recycling in order to create a buzz. He also thought it would be a good idea to display the art on the university home page.

The second speaker added that they could have a group of volunteers to hand out flyers.

In conclusion, they decided that another good idea would be to pass the information about the competition by talking about it on a campus podcast.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

– Missing one of the speakers
– Not managing your 90–120 second timing
– Hesitating or repeating too much
– Mixing up which speaker said what
– Speaking in a disorganized way

Practical Practice Advice

– Listen to real group discussions (YouTube, news panels, podcasts)
– Record your answers and analyze your fluency and structure
– Use a timer to practice 90–120 second summaries
– Get feedback from a tutor or AI platform like Dream English

How to Build Your Confidence

Confidence builds with repetition. Focus on:
– Clear note-taking systems
– Using the same 5-part structure every time
– Practicing speaking aloud daily
– Gradually increasing your pace and fluency

It’s EASY! (if you’re prepared)

The new PTE Speaking Summarize Group Discussion task offers a great opportunity to boost your score – if you’re prepared. Use the strategies above to gain clarity, confidence, and consistency. For expert support and high-scoring templates, join Dream English today and start mastering the 2025 Tricks for PTE – new changes can’t stop us!

Good luck with your PTE preparation,
Alex 🙂

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