PTE Highlight Incorrect Words Overview And Tips

The PTE Highlight Incorrect Words might seem easy at first.

However, it is a daunting challenge for every candidate, which requires intensive know-how of language phonemes and stress patterns.

What’s more, you are allowed to hear the audio only once, making the test even more difficult and keeping you on your toes.

Looking for strategic solutions to ace this PTE task?

Lume Test will help you with this quick guide!

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Key Takeaways 

• This PTE part has 2-3 queries; each lasts between 30 and 90 seconds, and you have 10 seconds to skim the text before the audio plays. 
• The score is judged on your ability to spot the differences between a transcription and an audio.
• You have 10 seconds to prepare before the audio plays, so utilize this precious time to glance through the transcript. 
• Since this is a fast-paced task, always keep your hand on the mouse and make sure that the cursor is positioned at the first word.

Related:

• FREE PTE mock tests with answers
• PTE tips and tricks
• PTE Listening format and tips
• PTE write from dictation tips

What Is The PTE Highlight Incorrect Words?

The Test Format

In most cases, you will have 2-3 queries, and each lasts between 30 and 90 seconds.

Before the audio plays, you have 10 seconds to skim the text.

In this task, you will be presented with the recording transcript on the device’s screen. 

Yet, the provided transcript won’t be perfect, as there are some errors to spot.  

Once the audio starts to play, you are required to read, hear, and identify a word or a group of words in the transcript that differ from what is said. 

You are allowed to hear the recording once, so make it count! 

In other words, you won’t have a second chance to catch any mistakes in the transcript; hence, always stay sharp, listen carefully, and keep your focus locked in.

To choose a word, you click on it with the left button of your mouse, and that word will turn yellow. 

To deselect a word, you left-click it again.   

The Scoring Criteria

The PTE Highlight Incorrect Words scoring will be assessed based on your ability to spot the differences between a transcription and an audio.

Each selected word is scored as either correct or incorrect. 

If all of your chosen words are correct, you will get the maximum score on this task.

On the other hand, partial credit scoring will apply if any of them are false. 

In short, you will receive one point for a correct word and lose the corresponding score for an incorrect option. 

The 3-Step Strategy

Tired of this PTE part because you are unable to keep track of the recording and read the transcription at the same time? The 3-step strategy below will solve your trouble. 

• Step 1: Skim the text and understand important keywords. 

It’s even better to capture the general essence of the document; therefore, you can eliminate some irrelevant words.

• Step 2: When the audio plays, stay focused and pay careful attention to the pronunciation of each word. 

The wrong words could be nouns, verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, so don’t be objective. 

• Step 3: Trust yourself and quickly choose answers based on what you hear. 

Don’t waste time wondering about any words; this act causes you to miss keywords and derail your performance. 

10 Essential Tips To Conquer The PTE Highlight Incorrect Words 

Quickly Glance Through The Text

You have 10 seconds to prepare before the audio plays, so utilize this precious time to glance through the transcript. 

If you don’t do so, you cannot catch keywords and understand the overall meaning of the text. 

Due to this, you might feel lost, making the PTE Highlight Incorrect Words task more challenging. 

When skimming the text, pass over words you find difficult to comprehend, which may induce your confusion. 

Don’t Fall Behind The Audio

Falling behind the recording means that you are following slower than what is said. 

Of course, this is one of the worst situations, causing you to lose many points, as you only hear the audio once. 

There are many reasons behind this problem, yet the most common one is getting stuck on a single word. 

Hence, to boost your speed and stay in sync with the audio, you must let go of what you have missed and focus on catching up with the speaker.

Pay Attention To The Cursor’s Place And Your Hand

Since this is a fast-paced task, always keep your hand on the mouse and make sure that the cursor is positioned at the first word. 

As soon as the speaker begins to talk in the audio, move the cursor quickly along the text.

The moment you notice any word that doesn’t match the recording, click on it right away to mark the difference. 

While listening, avert moving back to the word. 

It is advisable to keep moving on so your listening flow doesn’t get interrupted. 

Stick To Your Answer

Reviewing and revising your answer is a crucial step in excelling in every test, including the PTE Highlight Incorrect Words.

However, you should not overdo it and keep overanalyzing a single word, as the audio moves quickly, and hesitation causes you to fall behind. 

What’s more, one click is all it takes to highlight your answer.

Double-clicking wastes precious time and may cost you accuracy. 

Familiarize Yourself With Accents

Accent turns out to be a real game-changer when it comes to distinguishing between the words in the audio and what’s written in the transcript. 

In case you don’t comprehend the speaker’s accent, you may misinterpret words, leading to a point reduction. 

To avert this, listening to news from a variety of sources, such as British, American, Indian, Philippine, and Australian, is an ideal method to get comfortable with different speech patterns.

Avoid Note-Taking

Unlike other sections, such as the PTE Write From Dictation, this part doesn’t require note-taking. 

This is because you will hear the audio and spot incorrect words in the transcript simultaneously.

So there is no time to jot down information. 

Moreover, there won’t be any extra questions after the audio ends, so it seems useless to note keywords down. 

Just concentrate on every word of the transcript!

Use Context Clues

Context is a helpful clue when you struggle to pinpoint differences between words spoken in the recording and the transcription. 

Based on the contextual information, you can make logical guesses to find out mistakenly grammatical words or those whose meanings don’t match with the overall sentence’s idea. 

Don’t Make Random Guesses 

Due to the negative marking system, the computer can analyze whether you make random guesses and flag them.

In the worst-case scenario, you could end up with a zero score. 

So, it is highly recommended to focus intently on the audio and steer clear of guesswork.

If it’s too hard, and you only point out 1-2 differences, you can refer to the transcript and spot some contextually unreasonable details. 

Practice Frequently

Success doesn’t come to those who wait; it comes to those who put in the work.

Truly, practice is the only way to hone your skills and level up your score. 

Listen to foreign news and read articles written in English to improve your language proficiency. 

Maintain A Fresh Mentality

Keeping your mentality fresh is crucial for optimal performance. 

A fresh mindset assists you in approaching questions with clarity, thinking logically, and adapting to unexpected challenges. 

Besides, it also prevents stress and boosts your motivation and confidence throughout your preparation journey. 

The Bottom Line 

The LUME Test offers in-depth insights into the PTE Highlight Incorrect Words, from the test format and the scoring guide to 10 tips on acing this task.

If you are a newcomer to the exam, please dive into our advice to understand and navigate the test with confidence and ease.

If your testing day comes close, we hope you will stay calm, keep a clear mind, and believe in your abilities.

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!)