All PTE Listening Question Types: Strategies and Tips

The PTE Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken English in different accents and academic settings. This section is often challenging because it requires both listening and writing skills, and time is limited.

To score well, you need to know how to handle each of the eight PTE listening question types with the right strategies. This guide breaks down all PTE Listening question types, provides useful tips, and explains how to avoid common mistakes.

At Benchmark, we focus on practical strategies to help you boost your PTE Listening score. If you want to expand your vocabulary for this section, check out our article on Listening Practice.

PTE Listening Question Types Overview

The PTE Listening section has eight question types, each testing a different listening skill.

Further Details:

Listening Question Types Breakdown

Each question type requires different strategies, which are explained below.

1. Summarize Spoken Text

Listen to a short recording and write a concise summary highlighting the main points in 50-70 words.

What It Tests

• Understanding a lecture or discussion
• Summarization and writing skills

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Take notes while listening to capture keywords and main ideas
• Use a structured response that includes the main idea, supporting details, and conclusion
• Use academic vocabulary instead of informal phrases like “the speaker talks about”; instead, use “the lecture examines” or “the speaker highlights the significance of”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Writing too much or too little; stick to the 50-70 word limit
• Ignoring grammar and spelling errors

For more practice, read Mastering PTE Summarize Spoken Text: Tips and Practice Exercises.

2. Multiple-Choice (Multiple Answers)

Listen to an audio clip and select all correct answers from several options provided. At least 2 answers.

What It Tests

• Identifying key details in a recording

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Read the question before listening to know what to focus on
• Look for keywords and main ideas in the recording
• Choose only the answers you are confident about because negative marking applies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Selecting too many answers; picking only the most accurate response is better
• Focusing on every detail instead of the main idea

For more listening strategies, check out Common Mistakes in the PTE Listening Section and How to Avoid Them.

3. Fill in the Blanks

Complete a written transcript by typing the exact words you hear missing from an audio recording.

What It Tests

• Identifying missing words in a transcript

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Read the passage before listening to predict the missing words
• Listen carefully for grammar and meaning to ensure the word fits naturally
• Pay close attention to spelling, as even small mistakes affect your score
• Press Tab button on the keyboard to move to the next blank to save time
• Practice typing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the wrong form of a word (singular vs. plural, incorrect verb tense)
• Losing words due to slow typing

For additional practice, try Top Resources for Free PTE Listening Practice.

4. Highlight Correct Summary

Listen to a recording and select the option that best summarizes the key idea or overall message.

What It Tests

• Identifying the main idea of a recording

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Focus on the first and last sentences, as they often contain the main idea
• Eliminate distracting answers that add extra information not mentioned in the recording
• Compare answer options while listening to find the one that best matches the key points

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a summary with additional or misleading details
• Ignoring transition words such as “however,” “therefore,” or “in contrast,” which signal important information

For better note-taking skills, read How to Improve Your Note-Taking Skills for PTE Listening.

5. Multiple-Choice (Single Answer)

After listening to a recording, select the single best answer from several given options.

What It Tests

• Identifying the best answer from a recording

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Read the question before listening so you know what to focus on
• Ignore unnecessary details and concentrate on the main idea
• Choose the answer that directly matches the recording, as correct options usually repeat key phrases

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overthinking; the simplest and most direct answer is often correct
• Not recognizing paraphrased versions of the answer
• Relying too much on the keywords

6. Select Missing Word

Identify the correct concluding word or phrase missing at the end of an audio clip.

What It Tests

• Predicting a missing word in an audio recording

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Pay attention to the sentence tone and structure to guess the missing word
• Eliminate unrelated answer options; if the sentence is formal, an informal word is unlikely to be correct
• Listen carefully to the words before the blank, as they often provide clues

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a word that sounds correct but does not fit grammatically

7. Highlight Incorrect Words

Listen carefully to an audio clip and identify words in the provided transcript that differ from the spoken recording.

What It Tests

• Spotting differences between an audio recording and a written transcript

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Follow the text while listening and focus on words that sound slightly different
• Pay special attention to verbs and prepositions, as they are commonly changed
• Click on incorrect words quickly and accurately

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Clicking too many words; since negative marking applies, only select the words you are sure are incorrect
• Losing focus and missing small differences

For more practice, check out PTE Listening Highlight Incorrect Words Practice with Answers.

8. Write from Dictation

Type exactly what you hear after listening to a short sentence, ensuring accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

What It Tests

• Spelling and sentence accuracy

Scoring info

Strategy to Score High

• Focus on keywords; if you miss a word, ensure the main sentence structure is correct
• Write quickly and correct mistakes afterward
• Practice spelling and punctuation, as every detail matters

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting capital letters or punctuation
• Making minor spelling mistakes that lower your score

For more targeted exercises, check out Mastering PTE Write from Dictation: Tips and Practice Exercises.

Conclusion

To be successful at the PTE Listening part, you need to know how each type of question works and use the right strategies. Focus on reading questions before listening, figuring out what keywords and paraphrases mean, getting better at taking notes, and learning correct writing and language to raise your score. Using planned practice lessons and models of real exams will help you feel more confident and make sure that your answers are correct.

You can improve your PTE Listening score and feel more confidence on test day if you study and use the right strategies. You will do better on the listening part if you take Benchmark PTE practice tests, work on your note-taking skills, and improve your word comprehension. If you follow these study tips and stay steady with your methods, you will succeed.