PTE Listening Section Guide
Complete guide to PTE Listening section covering all 8+ task types with focus on Write from Dictation, summarization, and fill-in-the-blanks.
Quick Navigation (6 Questions)
Q61. What are the task types in PTE Listening?
PTE Listening includes eight task types: Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer), Fill in the Blanks, Highlight Correct Summary, Multiple Choice (Single Answer), Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words, and Write from Dictation.
#Link to this answerQ62. What is the most important PTE Listening task?
Write from Dictation (WFD) is widely considered the highest-impact listening task in PTE Academic. It contributes to both Listening and Writing scores simultaneously and appears 3–4 times per test. Exact spelling is required, and partial credit applies based on the number of correct words.
#Link to this answerQ63. How is Write from Dictation scored?
In Write from Dictation, you hear a sentence once and type it exactly as you heard it. Scoring is based on the number of correct words in the correct position. Spelling must be exact. Each correctly typed word earns a point; there is no penalty for incorrect words, but the total score depends on accuracy.
#Link to this answerQ64. Can I take notes during PTE Listening?
Yes. You should actively use your erasable notepad booklet during all PTE Listening tasks, especially Summarize Spoken Text and Fill in the Blanks. For Write from Dictation, many candidates find it helpful to use their notepad to jot down the sentence before typing.
#Link to this answerQ65. How many times can I hear the audio in PTE Listening?
Each audio in PTE Listening plays only once. You cannot replay any audio. This makes active note-taking critical for all listening tasks. The only task where you control when audio plays is Summarize Spoken Text, where it starts automatically.
#Link to this answerQ66. What is Highlight Incorrect Words in PTE?
Highlight Incorrect Words presents a written transcript of an audio recording. While listening, you click on words in the transcript that differ from what the speaker actually says. It tests careful listening for specific word-level differences and contributes to both Listening and Reading scores.
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