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PTE Core · Listening · L7

PTE Core Listening: Write from Dictation

Write from Dictation plays one short sentence once, and you type it exactly as you heard it. It is scored word by word, so every correctly spelled word counts, and it contributes to both Listening and Writing. PTE Core ends the Listening part with 3 to 4 of these items.

Items per test
3–4
Recording
One short sentence, played once
Response
Type the sentence
Marking
Word by word; Listening and Writing
Where it sits
Last task in Part 3

How it works

  1. 1The sentence plays once; nothing is shown on screen.
  2. 2Hold it in memory or jot down the first letter of each word.
  3. 3Type the full sentence in the box.
  4. 4Check spelling, plurals and word endings before moving on.

Sample task

Original sample · not from an official test

You hear: "The pharmacy closes early on public holidays."

Show a strong response

Outline: The pharmacy closes early on public holidays.

Seven words, each worth credit if spelled correctly. "Closes" needs the -s and "holidays" the plural; missing an ending loses that word.

Tips that work

  • Type straight away while the sentence is fresh, then correct spelling afterwards.
  • If memory is a problem, note the first letter of each word as you listen and rebuild from those letters.
  • Grammar can fill a gap: if you missed a small word, the sentence structure often tells you what it must be.
  • Practise spelling common everyday words that are easy to get wrong, such as "accommodation" and "schedule".

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the box empty after missing part of the sentence; write every word you caught.
  • Changing the word order, which can reduce credit.

Questions candidates ask

Do I get marks for a partly correct sentence?

Yes. It is scored word by word, so each correct word earns credit.

Does capitalisation matter?

Focus on correct words and spelling. Those are what the word-by-word scoring rewards.

Why is Write from Dictation important?

It appears 3 to 4 times and contributes to both Listening and Writing, so steady accuracy here helps two scores.

Other PTE Core Listening tasks

PTE Core overviewPTE Core Listening: all partsPTE Core full mock testsPTE Core articles on the blog