Scoring: +1 per correctly spelled word, and no negative marking. A partial answer still earns marks, so type every word you caught — 5 of 8 correct is 5 points, and typing nothing is the only guaranteed zero.
Official instruction
“You will hear a sentence. Type the sentence in the box below exactly as you hear it. Write as much of the sentence as you can. You will hear the sentence only once.”
Strategy
- Type immediately when the audio ends — every second of hesitation costs words from working memory.
- Chunk as you listen: “The scientists / discovered a new species / in the Amazon.”
- Spelling is marked strictly. One wrong letter is zero for that word. Function words (of, the, in) are worth the same as long ones — do not drop them.
- If you miss the middle, keep typing what you remember. Partial credit is real credit.
Frequently asked questions
How is PTE Write From Dictation scored?
+1 for each correctly spelled word, with no negative marking. It is the highest-value task in Listening and also contributes to your Writing score, so it moves your overall band faster than any other task.
How many Write From Dictation questions are in PTE Academic?
Usually around 3–4, but each carries heavy weight because every correct word scores — which is why it rewards focused practice.
How can I improve Write From Dictation quickly?
Echo the sentence in your head, chunk it into 2–3 groups, type the moment the audio ends, and drill spelling of common academic words. Type every word you caught — partial answers still score.