Summarize Group Discussion was added to PTE Academic in August 2025. You listen to three people discussing an academic topic, such as planning an assignment or a challenge in a course, then summarise the discussion aloud. You have up to two minutes to speak, but about 60 seconds is enough for a full answer.
It carries real weight. By Pearson's question weightings it is 19% of Speaking and 20% of Listening, the biggest task in the Listening score. The good news: it works exactly like Retell Lecture, just with three speakers instead of one. With the right notes, it becomes one of the more predictable speaking tasks.
How the task works
- A discussion between three speakers plays once.
- You take notes on the erasable notepad.
- After a short preparation time, the microphone opens and you speak for up to two minutes.
Pearson describes three common discussion types: discussions about a lecture, challenges in a course, and planning an assignment.
How it is scored
| Criterion | What earns marks |
|---|---|
| Content | Covering the topic, the points each speaker made, and the outcome |
| Oral fluency | Steady pace with no long pauses, no repeated words and no restarting |
| Pronunciation | Clear speech, so every word can be understood |
Grammar is not marked in this task. Small slips in the details, even mixing up which speaker said what, cost very little. Pausing, repeating or restarting costs a lot. Put the structure into your own words and fill it with the real content of the discussion, so you do not sound like you are reciting a template.
How long should you speak?
| Timing | What it means |
|---|---|
| 45 seconds | The minimum. Stopping before this loses marks. |
| About 60 seconds | Enough for a full answer. This is your real target. |
| 120 seconds | The limit, not the target. The microphone closes here. |
Trying to talk for the full two minutes usually means running out of notes and pausing. A smooth 60-second answer scores better.
Take notes in three columns
Before the audio starts, draw three vertical columns on your notepad, one for each speaker. Write each person's points straight down their own column, so your notes stay organised.
- Write each point as a key phrase of 4 to 5 words, not a single keyword.
- Put a small tick or cross next to a point when a speaker clearly agrees or disagrees.
- Leave a line at the bottom for the outcome: did the group agree or disagree in the end?
Here is what the notes might look like for a discussion about a group presentation on renewable energy:
| Speaker 1 | Speaker 2 | Speaker 3 |
|---|---|---|
| split topic: solar, wind, hydro | agrees with splitting work | two live far from campus |
| each person researches one area | slides might feel disconnected | weekly meetings hard to arrange |
| saves time, more detail | meet twice a week | use shared online document |
Listen for signposts: "I see your point, but...", "Building on that...", "So shall we...". They tell you when a speaker agrees, disagrees or concludes.
How to structure your answer
The structure is simple, and it is the same one you use in Retell Lecture:
- Open with the topic of the discussion in one sentence.
- Cover each speaker in turn. Build each sentence from a sentence starter plus two of your notes, joined with "and".
- Close with the outcome: say whether the group agreed or disagreed in the end.
Use a different sentence starter for each speaker, so your answer does not sound repetitive. Our students get the full list of starters and worked discussions in class.
Sample answer
"This discussion was about how three students should prepare a group presentation on renewable energy. The first speaker wanted to split the topic into solar, wind and hydro power, and have each person research one area. She felt this would save time and give them more detail. The second speaker agreed with splitting the work, but warned that the slides might feel disconnected, and recommended meeting twice a week. According to the third speaker, two of them live far from campus, and weekly meetings would be hard to arrange. Instead, he proposed using a shared online document. In the end, the group agreed to divide the research, use a shared document and meet once to rehearse."
That is about 120 words, roughly 50 to 60 seconds at a steady pace, and every sentence comes from the notes above.
Common mistakes
- Summarising only the first speaker. Give each speaker a similar share.
- Writing single keywords that you cannot turn into sentences.
- Stopping before 45 seconds, or stretching to two minutes and filling the end with pauses.
- Worrying about who said what. Mixing up speakers costs little; long pauses cost a lot.
Frequently asked questions
How long should my Summarize Group Discussion answer be?
About 60 seconds is enough for a full answer. Speak for at least 45 seconds. The two minutes you are given is the limit, not the target.
Is Summarize Group Discussion similar to Retell Lecture?
Yes. It works exactly like Retell Lecture, but you take notes for three speakers instead of one. The note-taking in our Retell Lecture template is a good starting point.
What skills does it score?
Speaking and Listening. By Pearson's question weightings it is 19% of Speaking and 20% of Listening, the biggest single task in the Listening score.
Practise this task with a tutor who gives you feedback on content and fluency. See our one-on-one courses or message us on WhatsApp.