Introduction: PTE Listening Section: The Listening section of the PTE Academic exam plays a pivotal role in assessing your language proficiency. For non-native English speakers, this segment can be both challenging and crucial for achieving desired scores. Effective listening not only impacts your performance in this specific module but also significantly influences your abilities in the Reading, Speaking, and Writing modules. In this guide, we will provide valuable insights into how to approach the Listening section, share strategies to enhance your listening skills, and underscore the importance of honing this skill as an integral part of mastering the English language and excelling in the PTE Academic test. Introduction: PTE Listening Section:PTE Listening: Summarize Spoken TextPTE Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple AnswersPTE Listening: Fill in the BlanksPTE Listening: Highlight Correct SummaryPTE Listening: Multiple Choice, Single AnswerPTE Listening: Select Missing WordPTE Listening: Highlight Incorrect WordsPTE Listening: Write from DictationConclusionAdvisory:To further enhance your PTE skills, Let's embark on this journey to improve your listening capabilities and, by extension, your overall language proficiency. PTE Listening: Summarize Spoken Text TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording, write a 50–70 word summary.Prompt Length60–90 secondsSkills AssessedListening and writingTime to Answer10 minutesNo of question1-2 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you will be presented with an audio recording that you need to listen to carefully. Your task is to write a concise summary of what you hear, capturing the main points and key supporting details. You have a total of 10 minutes for listening to the recording and composing your summary. The audio will start automatically, and you'll have just one opportunity to listen to it. Keep an eye on the Word Count at the bottom of the screen, ensuring your summary falls within the 50 to 70-word range. Additionally, you have access to cut, copy, and paste buttons to aid in constructing your response: Cut: Select text you want to remove and click "Cut." Copy: Choose text you want to duplicate and click "Copy." Paste: Position your cursor where you want to insert the cut/copied text and click "Paste." Test Tips: While listening to the recording, make sure to jot down the main idea and supporting points on your erasable note board booklet. Your summary should encompass the central theme and touch upon the essential supporting details. Allocate a minute or two after writing your summary to review it for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. These aspects play a vital role in your scoring. Scoring for This Question: Your response for summarizing spoken text is assessed based on your ability to comprehend, analyze, and synthesize information from the lecture. Five factors influence your score: Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling. These guidelines will aid you in crafting effective summaries during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Summarize Spoken Text ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the recording by selecting more than one response.Prompt Length40–90 secondsSkills AssessedListeningTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question1-2 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you will be presented with an audio recording and a multiple-choice question. Note that there can be more than one correct response. The audio will begin to play automatically, and you'll have one opportunity to listen to it. Your task is to select all the response options that you believe are correct from the list of provided options. To make a selection, simply click on an option using the left mouse button. If you change your mind, click on the option again to deselect it. Your selections will be highlighted in yellow. Test Tips: Before the recording begins (within the seven-second preparation time), read the question and prepare to take notes. It's more effective to jot down the main points and supporting details to help you answer, as the information in the recording may not be presented in the same order as the options. Be sure to take notes on both the main point and the details since you will need to select multiple options. When selecting responses, focus on their meaning rather than simply matching the exact words from the recording. Some options may contain the same words or phrases but may not accurately reflect the meaning of the audio. Scoring for This Question: Your response to the multiple-choice, multiple-answer question is evaluated based on your ability to analyze, interpret, and assess a brief audio or video recording on an academic subject. If all your selected response options are correct, you will receive the maximum score points for this question type. However, if one or more response options are incorrect, partial credit scoring applies. These guidelines will assist you in effectively tackling multiple-choice, multiple-answer questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Fill in the Blanks TitleExplanationTaskA transcript of a recording appears on the screen, with several gaps. After listening to the recording, type the missing word in each gap.Prompt Length30–60 secondsSkills AssessedListening and writingTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question2-3 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you will be provided with a transcript of an audio recording, but some words are missing. Your task is to restore the transcript by typing in the missing words. The audio recording will play automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to it. To fill in the gaps, left-click on each gap and type in the missing word. You can also use the Tab button on your keyboard to move between gaps. Note: During the audio playback, you have the option to take notes on the erasable noteboard provided, which can be useful for later filling in the gaps. Test Tips: Before the recording begins (within the seven-second preparation time), quickly skim the text to get an overall idea of its content. This will help you identify the words that fit the gaps as you hear them in the recording. Pay attention to proper nouns and nouns that are repeated in the text, as they may provide clues about the missing words. As you listen to the recording, write down the words you hear for the blanks on your erasable notebook booklet. The recording is at normal speed and is played only once, so don't worry too much about spelling during this phase. After the recording ends, review the text and use your notes to determine the missing words and their correct spelling. Then, type them into the gaps. Scoring for This Question: Your response for Fill in the Blanks (FIB) is assessed based on your ability to listen for missing words in a recording and accurately type the missing words into a transcription. Your FIB score is determined by counting the number of correct words spelled correctly in your response. Each correct word spelled correctly earns one point. These guidelines will help you effectively tackle the Fill in the Blanks (FIB) questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Fill in the Blanks ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Highlight Correct Summary TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording, select the paragraph that best summarizes the recording.Prompt Length30–90 secondsSkills AssessedListening and readingTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question1-2 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, your task is to select the summary that best matches the content of the audio recording. The audio will start playing automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to it. Multiple response options are provided, but only one of them is correct. To make a selection, click on an option using the left mouse button. If you change your mind, you can click on the option again to deselect it, or choose a different option. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow. Test Tips: While listening to the recording, focus on taking notes rather than reading the provided options. Reading during the listening phase can be overwhelming and distracting. Use your erasable note board booklet to jot down key ideas as you listen to the recording. After listening, carefully read through the provided response options and select the one that closely matches the details in your notes. Scoring for This Question: Your response for the "Highlight Correct Summary" question is evaluated based on your ability to comprehend, analyze, and synthesize information from the recording to identify the most accurate summary. You will be scored as either correct or incorrect. No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response. Following these guidelines will assist you in effectively approaching the "Highlight Correct Summary" questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Highlight Correct Summary ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Multiple Choice, Single Answer TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording, select the paragraph that best summarizes the recording.Prompt Length30–90 secondsSkills AssessedListeningTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question1-2 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, your task is to listen to the recording and answer a multiple-choice question. The audio will begin playing automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to it. Multiple response options are provided, but only one of them is correct. To select an option, click on it using the left mouse button. If you change your mind, you can click on the option again to deselect it, or choose a different option. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow. Test Tips: Pay attention to the specific information you need based on the question's main focus. Understanding the question's emphasis will guide your listening. Be prepared to listen for different types of information, whether it's supporting details, inferences made by the speaker, or the speaker's purpose. Prior to listening to the recording, quickly skim the question and answer options in the five seconds before the recording begins to ensure you grasp the topic. Scoring for This Question: Your response for the "Single Answer Multiple Choice" question is assessed based on your ability to provide the correct answer. Your response will be scored as either correct or incorrect. No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response. Following these guidelines will help you effectively approach "Single Answer Multiple Choice" questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Multiple Choice, Single Answer ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Select Missing Word TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording, select the missing word that completes the recording from a list of options.Prompt Length20–70 secondsSkills AssessedListeningTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question1-2 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you will listen to a recording in which the last word or group of words has been replaced by a beep sound. Your task is to select the most appropriate option to complete the recording. The audio will start playing automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to it. Multiple response options are provided, but only one of them is correct. To select an option, click on it using the left mouse button. If you change your mind, you can click on the option again to deselect it, or choose a different option. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow. Test Tips: Be prepared to make decisions about your answers. In this task, there are three to five response options for each item, but only one is correct. At the end of the recording, click on the option you believe is correct. You have a little time to think about your answer because the next item does not begin playing until you click "next." If you wish to change your answer, simply click on it to deselect it, and then click on the option you believe is correct. Scoring for This Question: Your response for the "Select Missing Word" question is assessed based on your ability to predict what a speaker will say, relying on contextual clues in the recording. Your response will be scored as either correct or incorrect. No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response. These guidelines will help you effectively approach "Select Missing Word" questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Select Missing Word ' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Highlight Incorrect Words TitleExplanationTaskThe transcript of a recording appears on the screen. While listening to the recording, identify the words in the transcript that differ from what is said.Prompt Length15–50 secondsSkills AssessedListening and readingTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question2-3 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you are presented with a transcript of an audio recording; however, the transcript contains errors. Your task is to listen and read simultaneously, identifying the words in the text that differ from what the speaker says. The audio will start playing automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to it. To select a word, click on it using the left mouse button. If you change your mind, you can click on the word again to deselect it. The words you select will be highlighted in yellow. Test Tips: Prior to listening, quickly read through the transcription to focus on keywords. In the 19 seconds before the recording begins, you won't be able to read every word, but you can skim the transcription. Concentrate on words that convey essential information, such as nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Determine the general topic to help you identify words that don't fit within that topic as you read and listen. As you listen, follow along with the cursor on the screen. Remember, in this task, you need to select the incorrect words as the text is read aloud. There's no need to make notes while listening; simply move the cursor along the screen and click on any words that sound different from the words on the screen. Scoring for This Question: Your response for the "Highlight Incorrect Words" question is evaluated based on your ability to listen for and identify differences between the recording and the transcription. Each selected word is scored as either correct or incorrect. If all the selected words are correct, you will receive the maximum score points for this question type. If one or more selected words are incorrect, partial credit scoring applies. It's important to note that this is one of three question types where you can lose points if you choose any incorrect options. Choosing any wrong options will result in one point being deducted. These guidelines will assist you in effectively approaching "Highlight Incorrect Words" questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Highlight Incorrect Words' task in this video link. PTE Listening: Write from Dictation TitleExplanationTaskAfter listening to a recording of a sentence, type the sentence.Prompt Length3–5 secondsSkills AssessedListening and writingTime to AnswerNot applicableNo of question3-4 How to Respond to This Question: In this item type, you will hear a short sentence, and your task is to type the sentence into the response box located at the bottom of the screen. The audio will begin playing automatically, and you will have only one opportunity to listen to the sentence. While the audio is playing, you have the option to take notes on the erasable noteboard provided. Make sure to check your spelling as you type the sentence. Test Tips: Aim to type as many words as you can remember from the sentence in the correct order. You will earn points for every correct word that you write in the response box. If you can recall a word but are unsure of its placement in the sentence, use your knowledge of English grammar to help determine its correct position. Scoring for This Question: Your response for "Write From Dictation" is evaluated based on your ability to understand and accurately remember a sentence you hear, and then reproduce it precisely as you heard it, including correct spelling. Your score for "Write From Dictation" depends on the following factor: Content: If all the words are correct and spelled accurately, you will receive the maximum score points for this question type. If one or more words are incorrect, partial credit scoring applies. These guidelines will assist you in effectively approaching "Write from Dictation" questions during the PTE exam. You can see an example of the ‘Write from Dictation ' task in this video link. Conclusion In conclusion, the Listening section of the PTE exam is not just a test of your ability to hear; it's a test of your comprehension, concentration, and adaptability. By applying the strategies and techniques we've discussed, you can navigate this section with confidence and improve your overall PTE performance. Remember that listening is not just about hearing words; it's about understanding ideas and concepts. By dedicating time to practice and following our expert advice, you'll be well on your way to achieving success in the PTE exam. Thank you for joining us on this journey to language proficiency, and we wish you the best of luck in your PTE endeavors. Advisory: Remember to double-check and update any specific information or requirements on the official Pearson PTE website (https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/listening) to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date guidance for your PTE journey. To further enhance your PTE skills, We encourage you to explore our collection of blogs, each tailored to specific aspects of the exam: 7 Reasons Why PTE (Pearson Test of English) is Your Best English Test Choice Choosing the Right, from various Types of PTE Exam: Academic vs. General vs. PTE UKVI Evaluating Score Bands in PTE: Assessing Levels of English Proficiency Knowing the types of modules in PTE Academic and its question types. PTE Speaking Essentials: Get to know about 5 Question Types Mastering PTE Writing: Know 2 Question Types PTE Reading Section: Unlocking the 5 Question Types.
