The PTE Listening part checks your understanding of spoken English in different situations, like lectures or everyday talks.

Understanding the format, how scoring works, and some good tips and tricks are important to get a high score on the exam.

This Listening part includes 8 sections that you need to complete.

Before diving into a real test, let’s explore this PTE Magic‘s guide, and other things you should know about this part to maximize your score!

(Read our Vietnamese version here)

Key Takeaways

• Your response is evaluated based on 5 criteria: content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
• The PTE Write From Dictation section is the listening test’s last and most difficult part.
• One of the most common mistakes of test-takers is not keeping a close watch on the “time remaining.”

Related:

• PTE Academic – The ultimate guide
• PTE tips & tricks you can trust from high scorers

Structure And Scoring System Of The PTE Listening Module

Summarize Spoken Text

This PTE summarize spoken text section is the first one in your PTE Listening test. You will listen to a recording that ranges from 60 to 90 seconds in length.

After the recording ends, you will have 10 minutes to write a summary, which falls within a word limit of 50 to 70 words.

Your response is evaluated based on 5 criteria: content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Each of these criteria has a maximum of 2 points, contributing to a total score of 10 points.

To score well, your summary should capture the most significant points from the recording, be well-structured, free of grammar errors, use a diverse vocabulary, and have accurate spelling.

Sample: You will hear a short audio. Write a summary for a fellow student who was not present at the Interview/Lecture. You should write 50-70 words. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points presented in the interview.

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Multiple Choice & Multiple Answers

In this second part, you will hear a recording that lasts between 40 and 90 seconds. Then, you will answer a multiple-choice question that might have more than 1 correct response.

You can make your choices by clicking on the options with your mouse. Note that you can only listen to the recording once, so it’s best to focus on the audio.

You will receive 1 point for each correct answer and 1 minus point for each incorrect one. It’s possible to score a minimum of 0, but no negative marks beyond that.

Sample: Listen to the recording and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. You will need to select more than one response.

Which of the following are mentioned as health problems caused by noise?

• Extreme irritation
• A certain degree of hearing loss
• Problems with speech
• Mental problems
• Behavioral and anger problems

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Fill In The Blanks

The PTE Listening fill in the blanks section is designed to evaluate both your listening and writing skills.

You have a brief 7-second period to read some information before the audio recording begins. The recording typically lasts between 30 to 60 seconds.

During this time, your goal is to type each missing word into the corresponding blank space in the transcript as you hear it.

For each correct word spelled accurately, you earn 1 point. There is no negative marking, so you won’t lose points for incorrect answers.

Sample: You will hear a recording. Type the missing words in each blank.

Simon Williams is a ___________ at Columbia University and the University of Western Australia. He and his colleagues trapped more than 400 mice in apartment building basements in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. They took swabs of the mice’s rear ends, ___________ feces from the traps, and subjected both to a battery of genetic tests. The mice harbored an array of disease-causing bacteria, like shigella, Clostridium difficile, salmonella. They also carried a ___________ of antibiotic-resistance genes, and viruses associated with insects, dogs, chickens and pigs. ___________ from a Chelsea apartment building had the most pig virus—perhaps, the scientists say, because they live near the Meatpacking District, which used to have pork processing ___________ before ___________ nightclubs took over.

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Highlight Correct Summary

In the PTE highlight correct summary task, you start with a multiple-choice question. You will get a quick 10 seconds to look at the answer options. Then, you will listen to a recording that’s around 30 to 90 seconds long.

Your job is to pick the one answer that best captures the main idea or message of the recording. In terms of scoring, your response is either marked as correct (earning you 1 point) or incorrect (0 points).

Sample: You will hear a recording. Click on the paragraph that best relates to the recording.

1. Dr. Tony Wagner believes that schools focus too much on tests and academic performances instead of the seven skills that he thinks young people need to have in order for them to find a good job.
2. Dr. Tony Wagner believes that schools should rethink the way they educate people in order to equip young people with the skills they need to achieve a successful career.
3. Dr. Tony Wagner believes that global companies create teams from all over the world to solve problems and the ability to work in an international team is highly desired in employees.
4. Dr. Tony Wagner believes that all young people need to become good communicators and understand different cultures in order to participate in virtual meeting rooms.

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Multiple Choices & Single Answer

This PTE Listening multiple choice single answer part includes a recording of around 30 to 60 seconds. You will be given a text providing contextual information.

After reading and listening, you need to choose the one response option that best fits the content of the recording. You can do it by clicking on the mouse.

If you change your mind, you can deselect an option by clicking on it again or choose a different one.

Your response is evaluated based on whether it’s correct or incorrect. You will receive 1 point for a correct answer and no points for an incorrect or missing response.

Sample: Listen to the recording and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Select Missing Word

During this PTE select missing word task, a recording will be played between 20 to 70 seconds. You need to predict the final word or words that are required to complete the text.

Note that you will not hear the actual final word or group of words during the recording. Instead, a beep signals where you should insert the missing word.

If you choose the most likely words to complete the recording, you will receive a point, but you will not earn any points if you choose the incorrect word.

Sample: 

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Highlight Incorrect Words

In this highlight incorrect words part, you will begin this part with a transcript containing errors and then have a brief 10-second window to review it before an audio recording lasting between 15 to 50 seconds.

During this task, your goal is to carefully listen to the recording and simultaneously read the provided transcript to identify and choose words that don’t match what the speaker says.

Use your mouse to highlight the incorrect words. A correct answer will bring you 1 point, but you will lose 1 point for each wrong answer. However, your score cannot drop below 0.

Sample: You will hear a recording of a lecture. At the end of the recording, the last word or group of words has been replaced by a beep. Select the correct option to complete the recording.

• Law
• Knowledge
• Argumentation
• Evaluation
• Capability

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Write From Dictation

This PTE write from dictation section is the last and also the most difficult one of the Listening test.

To begin the “Write from dictation part,” you’ll hear a brief audio recording, typically lasting no more than 5 seconds, which contains a sentence. You need to type the sentence you’ve listened to into the response box provided.

The answer must include all the words from the sentence and only those words. The number of correct words in your response determines your score.

If all the words are accurate and spelled correctly, you will receive the maximum score for this question type. However, partial credit scoring will be applied if there are any inaccuracies or spelling errors.

Sample: You will hear a sentence. Type the sentence in the box below exactly as you hear it. Write as much of the sentence as you can. You will hear the sentence only once.

 

Sign up for more FREE practice

 

Listening Tips For PTE

Review Grammar And Spelling

Ensure that your responses are correctly structured and make sense. It’s best to check any spelling mistakes and use appropriate punctuation, such as periods or commas, to help your responses be clear and accurate.

Related:

• PTE listening spelling list

Note Main Points And Details

Listening involves capturing both the main points and supporting details. Therefore, it’s not enough to grasp the central message. You should also jot down facts, examples, or explanations that back up the main ideas.

However, you should not note it word-for-word to avoid wasting too much time. It’s best to write just keywords.

Listen For Meanings, Not Just Words

When listening, you should focus on understanding the meaning behind what the speaker is saying rather than merely trying to match individual words.

It’s best to choose the response options that align with the overall meaning or message of the recording.

PTE listening practice regularly via English movies, news, and talk shows can help you improve your skill in quickly understanding the audio content.

Pre-Scan The Text, Questions, And Answer Options

Before the audio recording begins, make good use of the few moments you have to quickly read through the text, questions, and answer choices.

This pre-scanning process helps you get a head start by providing an overview of the topic and keywords you should be attentive to during the listening task.

Focus On Needed Information

The speaker may trick you with some related information instead of diving into the keywords at first. Therefore, you should be alert to capture the main idea at the right time.

Be Ready To Change Your Answer

Sometimes, your initial response may not be the best one. It’s fine to reconsider and change your answer if you think another choice is more accurate.

Therefore, it will be better if you check your answers once again and adjust them for better results.

Track With A Cursor While Listening

To maintain focus during the listening test, consider using your mouse cursor to follow along with the text as the audio plays.

This tracking technique can help you stay engaged and ensure you don’t lose your place, especially in longer passages.

Type Remembered Words In Correct Orders

In tasks that require typing responses, make sure to recall the words you heard in the correct order. Accuracy in both spelling and word order is crucial for earning points.

Double-check that the words you type match what you listen to, ensuring your answers are aligned with the spoken content.

Common Mistakes While Doing The Listening Tasks

Failing To Catch The Key Points

Some test-takers struggle with the PTE Listening tasks because they’re unsure which details are important. They tend to race to catch every word, leading them to miss key points in the context.

The key is to listen for the main idea and then add supporting details later. Prioritising the context, not the words, is an effective method for scoring high in these tasks.

Not Understanding The Test Format

The PTE Listening section has a range of tasks, including Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blanks, Write From Dictation, and more. Each task requires a different approach from test-takers.

Candidates who take the test without understanding the test format are likely to waste more time figuring out the instructions. Therefore, familiarising yourself with the tasks is crucial.

Poor Time Management

Time pressure affects many test-takers. Many get stuck on one question for too long, wasting a valuable amount of time on the remaining tasks.

However, don’t let panic control you. Practicing mock tests regularly will help you prepare ahead of time. How you manage your time will determine your PTE result, so stay focused.

Unfamiliar With Different Accents

You’ll hear different English accents in the PTE Listening test, including Australian, American, British, and more. This can be a challenge for candidates who are unfamiliar with different English accents.

Not being able to understand different accents means you will need more time to process the words’ pronunciation. Therefore, listening to various English accents from podcasts, movies, videos, and news will improve your listening skills. The more you listen, the more you can understand.

Only Apply One Type Of Practice Method

Test-takers who have a habit of practicing with only one type of content will have lower scores than those who use several practice sources. For example, if you only practice listening to news reports and refuse to acquire other sources, such as movies or conversations, you will limit your opportunity to approach diverse English accents.

Listening to varied materials is essential to enhance your listening skills. Don’t stick to one method; diversify your strategy instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the listening pattern in PTE?

The PTE Listening section lasts for 30 to 43 minutes. It tests candidates’ ability to understand spoken English, but mastering this section is more than just hearing words. Test-takers must maintain focus and process information effectively. Moreover, the audio for each task is played only once, so staying focused is crucial.

How To Get A Good Score In Listening Pte?

Apply strategies to boost your score. Start by focusing on high-score tasks first to improve your weak areas. Confidence also matters in determining your test performance.

How Do I Improve My Listening In Pte?

Regular practice will strengthen your skills. Listen several times a day throughout the week to build your vocabulary and pronunciation. Additionally, you can slow down the speed of the recording to make it easier to understand all the details.

What Is Important In Pte Listening?

Listening for key phrases is important in the PTE Listening section because these help you identify the main idea. Additionally, tasks such as Write from Dictation require accuracy and speed, therefore, fast typing is an advantage.

How To Calculate Pte Listening Score?

The PTE test uses automated scoring algorithms. Some tasks use a negative scoring system by giving one point for each correct answer and deducting one point for each incorrect response. However, your score can’t be below zero to ensure a fair assessment.

Conclusion

The PTE Listening is vital for assessing English competency. Knowing how it works, how you’re scored, and using smart strategies is essential. Listening carefully, staying within word limits, and keeping an eye on the time left are key.

Scoring is about more than content. It includes form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Therefore, you should balance focused listening, efficient note-taking, and providing clear, accurate responses to succeed.