PTE Academic · Task guide 9 · 4 min read

PTE Summarize Group Discussion: format and tips

PTE Academic Summarize Group Discussion, added in 2025: what you hear, timing, scoring, note-taking and a speaking routine.

What you see and do

Summarize Group Discussion was added to PTE Academic in 2025. You hear a recorded discussion between several speakers, often three, talking about a topic from academic or everyday life. They give different views, agree, disagree or add detail. While you listen, you take notes on the erasable noteboard.

When the discussion ends, you have a short preparation time, then you summarise it aloud: the topic, each speaker's main point and any conclusion they reach.

You hear the discussion once only. Because the item type is new, check pearsonpte.com for its exact current position in the test and its timings.

Timing

The on-screen timer and status box show exactly when recording starts and how much time remains.

How it is scored

Summarize Group Discussion counts towards Listening and Speaking. Responses are judged on:

Scorers reward a summary that shows who said what and how the views relate to each other, not a list of disconnected facts.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the speakers. Note each speaker's position separately.
• Reporting only the first speaker. Every voice usually adds something to the discussion.
• Stopping too early. You have more speaking time than in Re-tell Lecture; use a good part of it.
• Giving your own view. Summarise the discussion, do not join it.
• Losing the thread when speakers interrupt each other. Focus on each person's main claim, not every remark.

A short routine

1. While listening, divide your noteboard into columns: one per speaker (A, B, C), plus a line at the top for the topic.
2. Under each speaker, note their position in three or four key words, plus one reason or example.
3. At the end, mark any agreement or conclusion.
4. Open with the topic: "The speakers discussed whether…"
5. Report each view in turn: "The first speaker argued… The second disagreed, pointing out… The third suggested…"
6. Close with the outcome: "In the end, they agreed that…" or "They did not reach agreement, but…"

Exam tip: linking phrases carry the structure. "In contrast", "building on this point" and "while both agreed that" show the scorer you understood how the views connect.

Illustrative example

This discussion and answer were written for Fable Tests. They are not taken from any official material.

Imagine three students discussing whether their university library should stay open 24 hours a day. The first says students with jobs need late access. The second worries about the cost of staff and heating at night. The third proposes opening one floor overnight with self-service machines. They agree the third idea is worth a trial.

Notes might be:

• Topic: library open 24 h?
• A: yes, working students need late hours
• B: cost ↑ (staff, heating)
• C: 1 floor overnight, self-service
• agree: trial C

A possible answer:

The students discussed whether their university library should open twenty-four hours a day. The first speaker supported the idea, arguing that students who work during the day need access late at night. The second speaker was concerned about the cost, especially for staff and heating overnight. The third speaker suggested a compromise: keeping just one floor open at night with self-service machines. In the end, they agreed that this compromise was worth trying.

Key points

• Summarize Group Discussion was added in 2025.
• You hear a multi-speaker discussion once, then summarise it aloud in up to about 2 minutes.
• It counts towards Listening and Speaking.
• Take notes by speaker and report each view and the outcome.
• Check pearsonpte.com for the official current details.

More guides are on the PTE hub.