PTE Listening
The listening section requires you to hear audio and video clips and answer some related questions. Some questions in the listening section require you to produce a written response while others involve selection of answers from the given options. You will get 45-57 minutes to attempt this section.
PTE Listening Question Types:
- Summarize Spoken Text
- Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers
- Fill in the blanks
- Highlight correct summary
- Multiple-choice, choose single answer
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
Useful Tips for PTE Speaking
- Listen attentively.
- Take Notes on the Erasable Note Pad (words, not sentences).
- While listening, concentrate on the main points.
Tips for Summarize Spoken Text (2 – 3 items)
- Plan your summary.
- Stick to the word limit (50 – 70).
Tips for Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answers (2 – 3 items)
- Overview the prompt and take a good look at the options before the recording begins.
- Key points, not the words should decide which options you ultimately choose.
- This is a negative marking question. Don’t select an answer unless you are confident.
Tips for Fill in the Blanks (2 – 3 items)
- Take a good look at the transcript before the recording plays, for clue words.
- Keep the cursor on the first blank of the transcript for the missing word.
- Use tab to go to the next blank
- Ensure that your reading keeps pace with the recording.
Tips for Highlight Correct Summary (2 – 3 items)
- Overview the options, before the recording begins.
- Do not read while you listen.
- Predict the answer.
Tips for Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer (2 – 3 items)
- Overview the prompt and take a good look at the options before the recording begins.
- Eliminate options with incomplete/irrelevant information.
- Key point, not the words should decide which option you ultimately choose.
Tips for Select Missing Word (2 - 3 items)
- Overview the options, before the recording plays, to understand the topic/context.
- Focus on the general flow of the argument.
- Keep an eye on the audio indicator to know when the recording is about to end.
- Listen to the concluding part more carefully.
Tips for Highlight Incorrect Words (2 - 3 items)
- Overview the transcript before the recording plays. Some of the incorrect words may be rather too obvious and can be picked up easily.
- Keep moving the cursor with the transcript and click on words on the way where the recording and the transcript do not match.
- Ensure that your reading keeps pace with the recording.
- Focus on identifying words in the transcript that do not match with the recording.
- Most likely the incorrect words sound similar to the words spoken.
- This is a negative marking question. Don’t select an answer unless you are confident.
Tips for Write from Dictation (3 - 4 items)
- These are typically short sentences (of around 10 words) that are easy to recall.
- Place the cursor at the beginning of the response box.
- Type out immediately as you hear it and keep going. You can correct any error later.
- You must find time to check/edit your answer.
- You will score points for every correct word that you type.
