The PTE Listening Test can be tricky if you don’t pay attention to the prompts and lack good preparation. If you are looking for PTE Listening material to study with, this article will be a good guide for you.
I also recommend the E2Language Mini Mock Tests and PTE listening practice tests to develop useful methods and practice for all the PTE tasks.
The PTE Listening Test tasks:
- Summarise spoken text
- Listening multiple choice, choose multiple answers
- Fill in the blanks
- Highlight correct summary
- Listening multiple choice, choose single answer
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
Each of the 8 tasks on the PTE Listening Test focuses on testing different skills.
Summarize spoken text
In the “Summarize spoken text” task you will see an audio recording box on your screen with a blank text box beneath it.
After 12 seconds, a recording will automatically play and will last for approximately 60-90 seconds. After it finishes, you must write a brief summary of what you heard in the text box provided.
You must write between 50 and 70 words, and include what you think were the most important points made by the speaker in the recording.
Watch the time …
Keep a strict eye on the time and aim to finish at 35 seconds. Practice watching the time as you speak. This will let you know that you need to shorten your sentences or elaborate a little on your keywords. The more good practice you do, the more prepared you will be, so ensure you practice the tasks under Listening, Summarise Spoken Text on the E2language website.
You will be awarded marks for content, form, grammar, vocabulary, spelling. Marks count for Listening and Writing.
Listening multiple choice, choose multiple answers
In this task, you will be tested on your ability to comprehend the main ideas in a text and determine which connections between pieces of information. There is negative marking where points are deducted for incorrect options. So, if a test taker scores 2 points for correct options, but the scores -2 for two incorrect options chosen, they will score 0 points overall for the item.
Skim the possible options. Listen very carefully. You may take notes to help you focus and remember, especially names and numbers. Read the options and eliminate the incorrect ones, select the correct ones. Check your answers and submit.
You will be scored 1 for each correct response and -1 for each incorrect response. 0 is the minimum score.
Fill in the blanks
This task tests your ability to understand academic PTE vocabulary and identify words and phrases appropriate in a context.
The best way to improve your score in this section of the PTE Listening Test is to improve your vocabulary. Read three articles from www.sciencedaily.com daily and use the E2Pronounce app as a dictionary to find the meaning of words that you are unfamiliar with. By reading you will increase your vocabulary which will improve your reading as well as your listening comprehension.
You will be scored 1 for each word spelled correctly, with 0 the minimum score.
Highlight Correct Summary
This task tests your ability to identify a topic, follow a sequence of information and comprehend a different accent.
You will listen to a text of 60-90 seconds. You will then select the correct summary from a list of possible options. Only one summary will be correct. The other options may be similar but there will only ever be one correct option.
Read every word in each option before you make your selection. Sometimes some words or phrases that you heard are in each option, but do not be tempted to select the first option that you think is correct on this basis, but rather read each option from the first word to the last. The meaning may change during the sentence!
Marks are awarded as 1 for a correct response and 0 for an incorrect response. These marks count towards both your PTE Listening Test and PTE Reading Test results.
Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
Similar to the Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answer, in this task, you will be tested on your ability to comprehend the main ideas in a text and determine connections between pieces of information. Skim the possible options. Listen very carefully. You may take notes to help you focus and remember, especially names and numbers. Read the options and eliminate the incorrect ones, select the correct one. Check your answer and submit.
Marking is 1 for correct response and 0 for an incorrect response.
Select Missing Word
In the PTE listening ‘select missing word’ task, you will be tested on identifying a topic, theme or main ideas and form a conclusion from what a speaker says. As the instructions state:
You will hear a recording about (topic). 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.
Do not take notes. Listen for meaning. You will either know or not know the answer.
Practice often from the E2Language site to build your confidence.
Marks are 1 for a correct response and 0 for an incorrect response.
Highlight Incorrect Words
You will hear a recording and read a transcript of the recording which differs from what the speaker says. You will click on the words in the transcript that are different.
Negative marking applies. So, if you score 2 points for correct options but then score -2 for two incorrect options you will score 0 points overall for the item.
Listen and be prepared to act quickly. If you are uncertain about whether to click on the word or not, do not click on the word.
Write from Dictation
Here you will be tested on academic vocabulary, follow an oral sequencing of information and use of correct spelling.
You will be asked to listen to a sentence and type the sentence in a box exactly as you hear it. You will only hear the sentence once, so listen very carefully and write as much of the sentence as you can.
Listen carefully and write the sentence down on the erasable pad. You can then type the sentence on to the screen. If you are a very good typist then you can type directly on to the screen as you listen. Work quickly and accurately.
Marks are awarded as 1 for each word correctly spelled. 0 for each incorrect or misspelled word. Marks count towards the PTE Listening Test and PTE Writing Test.
To do well in the PTE Listening Test, register and attend the E2Language Live Listening Classes. This will give you a chance to complete a PTE listening practice test.
Our E2 PTE YouTube Channel has some useful PTE Listening videos, including this one:
Remember to familiarise yourself with each part of the PTE Listening Test and practice to ensure that you know what each section is asking you to do. Understand the marking, and work as accurately and efficiently as you can.
Feel free to leave a comment and I look forward to seeing you in a live class or a tutorial!
Written by David Williamson
