FREE PTE Write From Dictation Practice Questions

Is writing down exactly what you hear in PTE Listening harder than you thought?

With LUME Test’s Write from Dictation practice, you’ll strengthen your memory and transcription accuracy.

You’ll also learn what typical mistakes to avoid during the task.

Give it a try today!

Write from Dictation is the PTE Academic Listening task where you hear one short sentence, 3 to 5 seconds long, play once and type exactly what you heard. Each word you type correctly earns one point, so spelling counts. The test has 3 to 4 of these sentences. Practise below, then read the mistakes to avoid.

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Instructions

Each sentence plays automatically and you hear it only once.

The sentences will play for 3-5 seconds, so focus on understanding the meaning rather than catching every word.

You can use quick notes, abbreviations, or initials to remember the sentence structure.

After listening, type the sentence you heard and check your spelling, because each correctly spelled word earns a point.

It’s necessary to practice regularly with simulated exams to improve your speed and accuracy.

Also, it’s best to prepare effectively.

You can use noise-cancelling headphones and follow time constraints.

Finally, stay calm, trust your preparation, and focus on one sentence at a time for the best results.

Practice question:

 

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Related:

• Key facts about the PTE Academic
• Take our free PTE Academic practice exams
• How to get ready for the PTE Academic

Mistakes To Avoid

Skipping Proofreading

Once you’ve typed your answers, take a moment to proofread.

Many test-takers feel confident and submit their responses immediately.

But they soon realize that they made avoidable mistakes like missing words, incorrect grammar, or typos.

Even small errors can impact your score, so always scan your sentence before moving on.

Overlooking Spelling Mistakes

Even if you hear a word correctly, mistyping it can result in losing points.

Spelling mistakes are common, especially when words sound similar but have different spellings.

Thus, strengthening your spelling skills is important for accuracy.

Ignoring Grammar Rules

Many people focus on capturing words quickly but fail to maintain proper grammar.

Common errors include forgetting to add “-s” to third-person singular verbs (he/she/it runs) or missing “-ed” for past tense verbs.

This task counts correct words, so a wrong ending such as “run” instead of “runs” is a wrong word. Grammar is not scored on its own here, but it helps you rebuild the sentence correctly.

Focusing Too Much On Individual Words

Trying to remember every single word can cause you to lose track of the sentence structure.

When speakers talk fast, focusing only on isolated words may leave gaps in your responses.

Instead, grasp the overall meaning and use it to reconstruct the sentence if needed. 

Inconsistent Practice

Understanding the test format isn’t enough.

You need consistent practice.

Without regular exposure, you may struggle with sentence recall, focus, and speed.

Therefore, skipping practice sessions makes it harder to perform well under exam conditions. 

Not Typing Enough Words

Your score in PTE Write From Dictation depends on the number of correct words in your answer.

Writing only part of the sentence reduces your score significantly.

If you are unsure about a word, making an educated guess is better than leaving a blank, as there are no penalties for incorrect words.

Letting Test Anxiety Affect Your Performance

Nervousness may lead to rushed answers, overlooked mistakes, or even drawing a blank. 

Also, stress can cause you to second-guess yourself or lose focus during dictation. 

The key is to stay confident, trust your practice, and pay attention to one sentence rather than worrying about the entire test.

FAQs 

How Do You Practise Write From Dictation?

Listen once, jot the key words on your noteboard, then type the sentence in the order you heard it and check the spelling. Pearson advises typing as many correct words as you can remember, in the correct order. Practise short sentences often and mark every misspelled word.

How Is The Write From Dictation Task Scored?

Your score in the Write From Dictation task is based on how accurately you listen, recall, and type the sentence.

Each correctly spelled word earns partial credit, meaning you receive points even if the sentence isn’t entirely perfect.

Does Grammar Matter In The Write From Dictation?

Not directly.

Pearson scores Write from Dictation on one factor, Content: the number of correct words you type, with spelling counted. There is no separate mark for grammar or punctuation.

Even so, errors in verb tenses, articles, or word endings change the words you type, so they can cost you word points. 

So, pay attention to both what you hear and how it should be written.

How Many Questions Are There In The Write From Dictation Section? 

In PTE Academic, Pearson’s Score Guide lists 3 to 4 Write from Dictation questions.

Each correctly written word contributes to your score in both listening and writing. 

Is There A Time Limit For The Write From Dictation Part?

While the recording lasts 3-5 seconds in the Write From Dictation task, there is no fixed time limit for typing your answer.

However, managing your time matters, as this task is part of the PTE Listening section, which has an overall time limit.

Does Word Order Matter In The Write From Dictation?

Pearson’s test tip is to type the words you remember in the correct order. 

The score counts the correct words you type. Typing them in the order you heard them is the best way to rebuild the sentence.

It is wise to check word endings, such as subject-verb agreement, because a wrong ending is a wrong word.

Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Test And Achieve Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)