Earlier, students were shown a keyboard layout to match with their physical keyboard before starting the test. That’s now gone. It was considered unnecessary, so Pearson has removed it to save time. Now, the exam moves directly to microphone and headphone testing.
You will now test your microphone and headphones twice. This is extremely helpful because many test-takers previously faced issues during the speaking section due to hardware failure. This extra check is designed to minimize such risks.
This is one of the most significant updates. A circular pitch movement graph now appears on the screen while you're speaking. This helps you:
This change mirrors the official PTE mock test experience, which has had a similar feature for a while. It's a positive improvement that helps boost confidence during the speaking section.
You’ll now hear a loud beep sound not only in "Read Aloud", "Describe Image", and "Retell Lecture" but also in the Repeat Sentence task. This can be a bit jarring if you aren’t prepared for it. However, it’s helpful too—it signals clearly when you should begin speaking, so you can stay focused on listening and note-taking.
Tip: Be mentally prepared for the volume. If allowed, try reducing the headphone volume slightly before starting.
The old rectangular audio bar is now replaced with a circular pitch-responsive audio button. It displays your voice pitch as you speak—another indicator to confirm your mic is working properly.
In "Reading: Drag and Drop Blanks", the options bar at the bottom now comes with a black background and white font. While this doesn’t impact the task much, it’s a visual change that might surprise you if you're not expecting it. It’s not a major update, just a UI refresh.
These updates, while small, make the test interface more user-friendly and more aligned with the official Pearson mock test experience. If you have your exam booked in the coming days, do not panic when you see these changes.
The best way to avoid surprises is to practice using the updated format. Go to www.visionlanguageexperts.com.au where you can:
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