The video highlights the prevalence of pitch problems among candidates, particularly in the speaking section of assessments. Candidates with low speaking scores often have voice pitches that are too thick for the software to properly recognize. The speaker emphasizes the need for candidates to use pitch analyzer apps to adjust their speaking pitch to a more optimal range; male candidates should aim for a pitch above 130-140, while female candidates should target above 200-220. Practicing with these tools can significantly enhance speaking scores.

In 2025, a ban has been implemented on using memorized templates for responses, especially in tasks like 'describe image'. Candidates can no longer rely on generic structures or sentences that lack originality. They are urged to develop responses directly from the image provided, focusing on specific details rather than using pre-learned phrases. This change aims to encourage more genuine and individual expressions in speaking tasks.

The writing section is undergoing changes where candidates are increasingly penalized for content that is not relevant to the prompt. Instead of writing generalized advantages or disadvantages, candidates must directly address the question being asked, making sure their content aligns with the topic. A focus on using appropriate templates and ensuring clarity in opinions is crucial for obtaining high scores in writing assessments.

The assessment emphasizes the correct use of conjunctions and varying sentence structures, like active and passive voice. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their understanding of these grammatical concepts in fill-in-the-blank questions. Mastery of grammar, including recognizing when to use specific conjunctions and verb tenses, is necessary for achieving higher scores.

Collocations, or commonly paired words, are emphasized as a key part of the assessment. Understanding the typical combinations of words can enhance performance, especially in fill-in-the-blank questions. Familiarity with these collocations allows candidates to solve vocabulary-based questions more efficiently during the exam.

Recent trends show an increase in the difficulty level of listening tasks, where candidates can expect at least one particularly challenging item among several easier ones. This necessitates careful listening and note-taking strategies, encouraging candidates to divide lengthy sentences into manageable phrases and summarize effectively.

Reading section questions are expected to become longer and possibly more complex. Despite increased question length, the allotted time for answering questions remains the same. Candidates are advised to adapt their reading strategies to address questions more quickly and prioritize questions that allow for faster responses while maintaining accuracy.

There have been reports indicating that the tab button functionality, which assists in navigating between answer fields during typing, may not be functioning as expected in the online assessment. Candidates are advised to be cautious and ensure their cursor is in the correct position before typing answers, to avoid any disruptions in their response submissions.

New 'trial questions' may be included in the exam format, where candidates respond to a scenario presented in audio format. While this type of question can appear daunting, candidates are reassured that performance on these questions will not affect their overall scores, thus reducing panic and encouraging a more relaxed approach.