PTE Reading: five task types
Which tasks score the most, and where negative marking applies.
10 minutes · A free lesson from Reading
The Reading part takes about 30 minutes and has five task types:
| Task | What you do | Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks | choose a word from a drop-down for each gap | a mark per gap |
| Multiple choice, multiple answers | choose all the correct options | +1 right, −1 wrong |
| Re-order Paragraphs | put the text boxes in order | a mark per correct pair |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | drag words from a box into gaps | a mark per gap |
| Multiple choice, single answer | choose one option | right or wrong |
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: Which Reading tasks carry the most marks?
- Multiple choice, single answer
- The two fill-in-the-blanks tasks
- Multiple choice, multiple answers
Show the answer
B: The two fill-in-the-blanks tasks — They are also the quickest to answer, so spend your time there.
Quick check: In multiple choice, multiple answers, you are sure of one option and unsure of two. What should you choose?
- Only the one you are sure of
- All three
- None of them
Show the answer
A: Only the one you are sure of — Each wrong choice cancels a right one. One sure answer beats two guesses.
Quick check: How is Re-order Paragraphs marked?
- All or nothing
- Only the first box counts
- A mark for each correct pair
Show the answer
C: A mark for each correct pair — So even a partly correct order earns marks.