Listening
Write from Dictation
You hear a short sentence once and type it. Each correct word spelled correctly scores one point.
- Listening
- Writing
- Items on a test
- About 3–4
- Audio
- A short sentence, once
- Scoring
- 1 point per correct word, spelled correctly
- Skills
- Listening and Writing
Item counts vary slightly by test form. The ranges follow Pearson’s PTE Academic test-taker score guide.
What this task asks
The audio starts automatically and plays once. You type the sentence into the response box. It is a short sentence, which is why the points add up: every word is worth something, and a test includes several of these items.
Write from Dictation is one of the highest-value places to be careful with spelling, because a misspelled word does not score, even when you heard it.
How scoring works
Content is the number of correct words spelled correctly. Partial credit applies. If the whole sentence is right, you receive the maximum for that item. One wrong or misspelled word drops only that word’s point.
The score guide lists the item under Listening and Writing. Pearson’s tip is to type the words you remember in the correct order, and to use grammar to place a word when you are unsure where it goes.
Timings and scoring follow Pearson’s published format for Listening.
Tips that match the task
- 1
As soon as the sentence ends, type it. Waiting to remember the perfect version is how the middle disappears.
- 2
Write words you are sure of in the order you heard them. If one word is missing, grammar often shows whether it was an article, a preposition or an auxiliary.
- 3
Check endings: plurals, -ed, and small words such as “a”, “the”, “of” and “to”. They are points, the same as longer words.
- 4
Read the typed sentence once for spelling before you click Next. You cannot replay the audio, but you can still correct a letter.
- 5
If you only caught the start and the end, type those words in that order rather than leaving the box empty. Partial credit counts the words that are right.
- 6
Practise with sentences of similar length and no second play. The skill is holding one sentence, not understanding a lecture.
- 7
Keep one spelling convention. A word spelled in a way that is not a recognised form of what was said does not score.
Common mistakes
- Paraphrasing the sentence. Points come from the words that were spoken, spelled correctly.
- Dropping articles and prepositions because they felt unimportant.
- A plural or a past-tense ending typed as the base word.
- Rearranging the sentence into a “better” order and losing the sequence you were asked to reproduce.
- Leaving the box blank when you could have scored the words you did remember.
Frequently asked questions
How is PTE Write from Dictation scored?
One point for each correct word spelled correctly. Partial credit applies, so a sentence with one misspelling still scores the other words. The item contributes to Listening and Writing. A test form includes about 3–4 sentences, each played once.
Do I have to get the whole sentence right?
No. The maximum is for a fully correct sentence, but every correct word still scores if some words are missing or wrong. Type what you remember in order rather than submitting nothing.
Does spelling matter?
Yes. A word scores only when it is the right word and spelled correctly. Check plurals and small function words before you move on.
Practise Write from Dictation on a real question
Open a free practice question in the LearnPTE app and try this task with instant feedback.