Question type #20 PTE Listening & Writing: Write from Dictation

Familiarise with how the question is formed

–       There are 3-4 sentences, each of which has up to around 12 words.

–       You have 5 seconds to mentally prepare yourself before the sentence is read to you.

–       You need to type the sentence exactly as you hear it into the dialog box on the screen.

Understand how this question is scored

–       Each correct word (for each sentence), spelled correctly and in the correct order will earn 1 small mark

–       No extra penalty for wrong answer.

–       Maximum mark:9-12; minimum mark: 0

Avoid these common mistakes

1. Write down the sentence and transfer later. Instead, type in directly as soon as you hear it as you may not have enough time to do this, since this is the last question type in the listening section.
2. Type all words in capital letters. Only do this for the first letter if it is a proper name or it is the first word in the sentence.
3. Miss the plural form of a noun when it is a count noun.
4. Miss the –s/es for a verb when you have a singular subject.
5. Use the wrong word form. (e.g., a noun when you need an adjective, a verb or an adverb).
6. Swap the word order or try to paraphrase a word. Remember, you’ll only earn marks if the words are spelled correctly and also are in the correct sequence as it is read by the speaker.

Practise the best way to do it

1. Picture the sentence structure and sentence meaning in your mind before you start typing. Take mental note of the ‘story’, S-V agreement, and the position of time expression, adverb of places and linking word used.
2. Type in the sentence as accurately as possible.
3. Proofread quickly to make sure the spelling, grammar and the word forms are correct.
4. You should spend around 30 seconds doing this, time permitting.