PTE Core Listening Practice

PTE Listening Practice

This section lasts about 30 minutes and includes seven different question types. The questions are based on
audio or video clips that play automatically, and each clip is heard only once. Candidates can take notes while listening to help them remember key details and answer questions accurately. This section assesses your ability to understand spoken English in academic and everyday contexts, focusing on comprehension,
summarization, and identifying key information.

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Understanding PTE Listening Question Types to Score Higher

  Summarise  
					Spoken Text
				  

In this task, you listen to an audio recording and write a short summary of 20–30 words. It assesses your ability to understand, interpret, and express key information from spoken content accurately and concisely

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time To Answer	Total Score
45-75 seconds	Listening & Writing	1-2	8 Minutes	10

Important Scoring Criteria- PTE Core Summarise Spoken Text

Your score is based on how accurately and clearly you capture the main ideas of the recording, organize them logically, use correct grammar and vocabulary, maintain proper word count, and spell words correctly.

Aspect	Explanation
Content	Evaluates whether your summary includes all main points of the recording. Missing or misrepresented points reduce your score.
Form (Word Count)	Assesses if your summary meets the required length of 20–30 words. Summaries too short, too long, written in all caps, or as bullet points are penalized.
Grammar	Checks for correct grammatical structures. Errors that hinder communication lower your score.
Vocabulary	Evaluates your word choice and how effectively you convey ideas. Lexical errors may reduce clarity.
Spelling	Assesses correct spelling and typing. More than three errors significantly lower the score.

  Multiple Choice, 
					Multiple Answers
				  

In this task, you will listen to an audio recording and answer a multiple-choice question related to its content or tone. There may be more than one correct answer, so you must select all the options that apply. The recording is played only once, and you can take notes while listening.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer
50-90 seconds	Listening	1-2	Not Applicable

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer

Your score is based on how accurately you identify all correct responses and avoid selecting incorrect options. Each selection affects your score.

Aspect	Meaning
Correct Responses	Each correct option you select earns 1 point. Listening carefully and identifying all the correct options increases your score.
Incorrect Responses	Each incorrect option you select deducts 1 point. Avoid guessing blindly as it can lower your overall score.
Minimum Score	If no correct answers are selected or the response is irrelevant, you get 0 points.

Fill In The Blanks

In this task, you will listen to an audio recording and complete its transcript by typing the missing words in each blank. The recording is played only once, so you must focus on listening carefully for exact words and spellings. This task tests both your listening accuracy and writing skills.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer	Total Score
30-60 Seconds	Listening & Writing	2-3	Not Applicable	either 0 or 1

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Fill In The Blanks

Your score is based on how accurately you identify and spell the missing words from the recording. Correct
spelling and correct word choice are essential.

Aspect	Explanation
Correct Word	Each word correctly typed and spelled as heard in the recording earns 1 point.
Incorrect Word	Each word that is incorrect, misspelled, or left blank earns 0 points.

  Highlight Correct  
					Summary
				  

After listening to a recording, select the paragraph that best summarizes the recording.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer	Total Score
30-90 Seconds	Listening & Reading	2-3	Not Applicable	either 0 or 1

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Correct Summary

Your score depends on selecting the paragraph that accurately captures the main ideas of the recording; correct selection earns points, while incorrect selection does not.

Aspect	Explanation
Correct Response	You earn points by selecting the paragraph that accurately reﬂects the main ideas and key points of the recording.
Incorrect Response	No points are awarded if you select a paragraph that misrepresents the recording, omits key points, or includes irrelevant information.

  Multiple Choice, 
					Single Answer
				  

In this task, you will listen to a short audio recording and select the paragraph that best summarizes the content or main idea. You must identify the most accurate summary based on the key points and tone of the speaker. The recording plays once, so active listening is essential.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer	Total Score
30 - 60 seconds	Listening	1-2	Not Applicable	either 0 or 1

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Your score is based on selecting the single response that correctly answers the question according to the recording. Accuracy is key; only the correct option earns points.

Aspect	Explanation
Correct Response	Selecting the option that accurately answers the question earns 1 point.
Incorrect Response	Selecting the wrong option earns 0 points.

  Select Missing 
					Word
				  

In this task, you will listen to a short audio clip and choose the word or phrase that correctly completes the sentence. You must focus on context, meaning, and pronunciation to identify the correct option. The recording plays once, so attentive listening is required.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer	Total Score
20-70 Seconds	Listening	1-2	Not Applicable	either 0 or 1

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Select Missing Word

Your score is based on accurately selecting the word that correctly completes the recording. Choosing the correct word earns points, while an incorrect choice earns none.

Aspect	Explanation
Correct Response	Choosing the word that accurately completes the sentence or phrase based on the recording earns 1 point.
Incorrect Response	Choosing a wrong word or a word that does not fit the recording earns 0 points.

  Highlight Incorrect 
					Words
				  

In this task, you will compare a transcript with the audio you hear and identify words that differ from what is spoken. Focus on accuracy, listening carefully to pronunciation, word endings, and context.

Prompt Length	Skills Assessed	Number of Questions	Time to Answer
15-50 Seconds	Listening & Reading	1-2	Not Applicable

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Incorrect Words

Your score is based on how accurately you identify words in the transcript that differ from the recording. Correct selections earn points, while wrong selections deduct points.

Aspect	Explanation
Correct Response	Each word correctly identified as different from the recording earns 1 point.
Incorrect Response	Each word incorrectly selected (either marked incorrectly or missed) deducts 1 point.

Boost Your PTE Core Listening Score

Follow these practical strategies to improve your listening skills, understand recordings accurately, and answer questions effectively to achieve a higher score in the PTE Core Listening section.

Tip	Explanation
Listen Carefully	Pay attention to keywords, tone, and emphasis in the recording.
Take Notes	Jot down numbers, dates, names, or key points while listening to aid recall.
Focus on Main Ideas	Identify the main message or purpose rather than just individual words.
Practice Active Listening	Engage with recordings by summarizing, predicting content, or noting important points as you listen.
Avoid Distractions	Ensure a quiet environment to concentrate fully on the audio.
Improve Vocabulary	Learn common academic and everyday words to better understand recordings.

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PTE Listening Practice

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Understanding PTE Listening Question Types to Score Higher

Summarise Spoken Text

Important Scoring Criteria- PTE Core Summarise Spoken Text

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer

Fill In The Blanks

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Fill In The Blanks

Highlight Correct Summary

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Correct Summary

Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Select Missing Word

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Select Missing Word

Highlight Incorrect Words

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Incorrect Words

Boost Your PTE Core Listening Score

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PTE Listening Practice

Speaking

Writing

Reading

Listening

Understanding PTE Listening Question Types to Score Higher

Summarise Spoken Text

Important Scoring Criteria- PTE Core Summarise Spoken Text

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer

Fill In The Blanks

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Fill In The Blanks

Highlight Correct Summary

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Correct Summary

Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Select Missing Word

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Core Listening Select Missing Word

Highlight Incorrect Words

Important Scoring Criteria: PTE Listening Highlight Incorrect Words

Boost Your PTE Core Listening Score

Avail Your Free Mock Test Today!

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