PTE listening test: question types, scoring and tips to master it
Bhargavee Sisodia13 Jun 2024
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a well-known test that is computer-delivered and allows candidates to study, work, and migrate to many countries across the globe. The listening test is one of the subsections of the PTE and it tests your comprehension of spoken English in academic situations. It is therefore very important to get right in this test if you want to earn your desired score.
This all-inclusive guide helps you learn everything you need to know and understand about the listening section of the PTE. In this article, we will distinguish between the types of questions, understand the grading process and provide you with useful strategies for success. There is no doubt that the PTE listening test when done well opens doors for you whether you are applying for university or a job. Alright then, let’s gear up and get going through this very important part of the PTE Academic Exam!
Understanding the PTE Exam
The PTE Academic is a flexible and convenient alternative to traditional English proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
The PTE exam can be taken at any time of the year since it is offered all year round in all the Pearson PTE test centres across the globe. You can find the latest PTE test dates and book your test conveniently online through the official Pearson PTE website.
PTE Exam Fee and Centers
The PTE exam fee varies depending on your location. Visit the Pearson PTE website to determine the current fee structure. You can also search for PTE exam centres near you using the centre locator on the website.
Understanding the PTE Listening Test
PTE listening test is the intermediate stage of the test which takes 30-43 minutes of your time and checks your understanding of spoken English in academic context. Let's delve into the different question types you might encounter:
PTE Listening Test: Question Types Explained in Detail
The PTE Listening test assesses your ability to understand spoken English in various academic contexts. Here's a breakdown of each question type with additional tips:
1. Summarize Spoken Text (50-70 words):
- What you do: Watch a video clip of a lecture or a talk (60-90 seconds) and summarise the content in writing focusing on the main points and supporting arguments (10 minutes allowed).
- Tips: It is recommended to take notes while listening using the erasable booklet that you have been given. Try to determine what the speaker is Get the main idea of the speech, its purpose and the general arguments that the speaker is making. This should not be used: weak verbs, too much paraphrasing.
2. Multiple Choice (Single Answer):
- What you do: You will be given a recording (30-60 seconds) and you will be required to respond to it by choosing one of the best options that were given in the recording.
- Tips: Before listening, read the multiple-choice options to the question. Listen carefully to the recording and try to find the keywords and details in the recording that can be related to the options. Remove the options that are wrong or that do not have any relation to the question.
3. Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers):
- What you do: As with the single answer, listen to a recording, which is between 40 and 90 seconds long, and choose several options that reflect the important aspects.
- Tips: The same as the single answer, only bear in mind that you should not choose the options that can be supported by the information only. Some of the choices that are given may be partly correct and this may not be the complete picture.
4. Fill in the Blanks:
- What you do: Read a short passage of text that contains blanks and then listen to the audio recording of the same text. Using the audio, complete the following sentences making sure that the grammar and meaning are correct.
- Tips: Read the words immediately before, after, and near the blank and try to make some sense out of them. Rely on grammatical features such as verb forms, prepositions and word class.
5. Highlight Correct Summary:
- What you do: After listening to a lecture, you will be given several choices of pre-written summaries of the lecture and you shall choose the most appropriate one.
- Tips: Please, do not choose the longest one. Try to listen attentively for the details and specific keywords used in the lecture. Remove the summaries that have information that is not relevant or the ones that do not contain important details.
6. Select Missing Word:
- What you do: Read a sentence with a blank and select the word that properly and appropriately fills the blank.
- Tips: Just look at the words that are close to the word in question and the sentence as a whole. Select the option which will form a correct and meaningful sentence.
7. Highlight Incorrect Words:
- What you do: Read a passage and underline one or two words that are incorrectly spelt or do not fit in the context of the passage.
- Tips: This is the method of concentrating on words that seem to be in the wrong order or are not logical in the given sentence. Ensure that there is an appropriate use of subject-spelled verb agreement as well as the use of pronouns and coherence of ideas presented.
8. Write from Dictation:
- What you do: Below is a short passage and your task is to listen to it closely and then write down the content in writing.
- Tips: You must not attempt to put down all that has been suggested at one time. First of all, try to target keywords and phrases more. It is allowed to use short forms or special notations for terms that are frequently used. Always go back to the passage and complete the details after listening to the entire passage.
Unveiling the Mystery: How the PTE Listening Test is Scored
The PTE Listening test will always present various tasks for you to complete to test your English understanding. But how exactly do these challenges convert into a score? Here's a deeper dive into the scoring system:
Scoring Range (10-90):
- The Listening test is marked out of 90 points and your score is shown in whole numbers from 10 to 90.
- A higher score means that the candidate has a good listening skill in academic English.
Question Type Contribution:
- Every single question that you are exposed to including Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, etc. has different weights and affects your overall score.
- Although PTE doesn’t explain how much weight is given to each type of task, it is known that complex tasks such as summarizing lectures carry more weight than defining one missing word.
Focus on Accuracy and Skills:
- Scoring is based on your ability to:
Comprehend the spoken information: This entails understanding the message of the text, the supporting information, the purpose of the speaker, and the message that the speaker is conveying.
Demonstrate specific skills: Summarizing (understanding and restating the content shortly and simply) – useful for Summarizing Spoken Text tasks.
Most of the questions can be answered through key details identification and making connections.
Hierarchy of Language Skills: Revising for grammar and correct word use – crucial for filling in the blanks, Identifying Errors, and Writing from dictation.
No Negative Marking:
- In the PTE Listening test, you are not penalized for wrong answers. This means it is always advisable for you to try to answer all the questions no matter the situation.
- If you try to guess, at least you stand a better chance of getting the right answer while if you do not answer the question at all then you will lose marks as you will get zero.
Mastering the PTE Listening Test: Top Tips
Here are some effective strategies to help you conquer the PTE listening test:
- Active Listening and Concentration: It means to pay close attention to the audio portion, whose mind is focused on the speaker and what he or she is saying. To avoid interference, one should reduce distractions and if the test centre provides noise-cancelling headphones, one should use them.
- Strategic Note-Taking Techniques: It is advisable to work on a note-taking format that would involve taking down the main ideas, persons, timeline, and other facts when on the audio. When there is a need to write in shorthand, use abbreviations, symbols or even shorten words, but make sure that the writing will be easy to understand in the future.
- Time Management Strategies: Time management skills should be applied while doing preparations for mock tests or practice questions. Learn the content of the audio as much as possible and then spend some time taking notes as well as answering questions.
- Utilizing Official PTE Practice Materials: Pearson PTE provides a large amount of official practice materials for the test takers.
- Building a Strong Vocabulary Base: The following techniques can help in developing one's vocabulary: Using flashcards, online resources, and reading academic materials. Understanding the many academic terms that you will encounter will go a long way in improving your understanding.
- Mock Tests and Practice Questions: Practise test papers and questions regularly and also answer them within a specified time frame. This helps in generating a real test environment, increases test-taking confidence, and even identifies the areas that need more practice.
Conclusion
The PTE listening test might look like a terrifying process at the beginning; however, with proper preparation and some tips that are presented in this article, this test can become a helpful tool for you on your academic or professional path. Thus, it is crucial to know the types of questions, listen to the lecture, and use a variety of practice materials and approaches. This way, through the practice of listening, expanding the vocabulary as well as exposure to various accents, you will be well prepared to face the PTE listening test and get the score you want. Alright then, so the first step is to take a deep breath, accept the challenge, and get yourself started on the way to success in the PTE Listening Test!
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