PTE Listening: eight task types
Where the marks are, and where they can be lost.
10 minutes · A free lesson from Listening
The Listening part takes about 30–43 minutes. Each recording plays once. There are eight task types:
- Summarize Spoken Text — write a 50–70 word summary of a lecture (scores listening and writing).
- Multiple choice, multiple answers — +1 right, −1 wrong.
- Fill in the Blanks — type the missing words in a transcript as you listen.
- Highlight Correct Summary — choose the paragraph that best summarises the recording.
- Multiple choice, single answer.
- Select Missing Word — the last words are replaced by a beep; choose them.
- Highlight Incorrect Words — click the words in the transcript that differ from the recording; +1 right, −1 wrong.
- Write from Dictation — type a sentence exactly as you hear it; a mark for every correct word.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: How many times does each recording play?
- Once
- Twice
- As often as you like
Show the answer
A: Once — Read the question and options before it starts.
Quick check: Which two tasks come at the end and are worth a lot?
- Read Aloud and the Essay
- Write from Dictation and Highlight Incorrect Words
- Re-order Paragraphs and Describe Image
Show the answer
B: Write from Dictation and Highlight Incorrect Words — Keep your concentration for the end of the section.
Quick check: In Select Missing Word, what replaces the last words of the recording?
- Silence
- A different speaker
- A beep
Show the answer
C: A beep — You then choose the words that complete it.