PTE Listening: eight item types, and the one worth practising most
PTE Listening runs eight item types, each played once. Two deserve more preparation than they usually get: Write from Dictation, which feeds Listening and Writing and is the best return on practice in the test, and Highlight Incorrect Words, which carries negative marking.
The eight item types
| Item type | Contributes to | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|
| Summarise Spoken Text | Listening and Writing | No |
| Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers | Listening | Yes |
| Fill in the Blanks | Listening and Writing | No |
| Highlight Correct Summary | Listening and Reading | No |
| Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer | Listening | No |
| Select Missing Word | Listening | No |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | Listening and Reading | Yes |
| Write from Dictation | Listening and Writing | No |
Five of the eight feed a second skill score. Listening practice in PTE is therefore also Reading and Writing practice, which is not true of a test with separately scored papers.
Notes, and when to take them
- Summarise Spoken Text and Re-tell items — notes are essential, in keywords.
- Write from Dictation — write the sentence as you hear it; this is transcription, not note-taking.
- Select Missing Word and the short multiple choices — no notes. The item is too short.
Every Listening question type
Summarise Spoken Text
50–70 words, 10 minutes
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
Negative marking applies
Fill in the Blanks
Type the missing words as you listen
Highlight Correct Summary
Pick the paragraph that matches
Multiple Choice, Single Answer
One answer, no penalty
Select Missing Word
Predict how the recording ends
Highlight Incorrect Words
Negative marking applies
Write from Dictation
The best-value item in the test
PTE Academic Listening — FAQs
2 questions
No, once, on every item type.
Write from Dictation — it feeds two skill scores and improves quickly with drilling.
Listening on the other exams
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.