Write from Dictation, PTE Academic

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Score Weightage

Overall Score5%

Listening13%

Writing23%

Source: Pearson PTE Academic, Scoring Information for Teachers and Partners. Weightings are averages and may vary per test form.

The Do's and Don'ts

Type Every Word You Can RememberCapture content words first, then reconstruct function words using grammar. As you listen, prioritize content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). Then use your knowledge of English sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Object) to add the function words in the correct positions.

Check PunctuationUse a consistent abbreviation system -- and always expand it. Develop a uniform system before exam day (e.g., w/ = with, bec = because, gov = government). Always convert all abbreviations back to full English words before moving to the next question. Start with a capital letter and end with a full stop or question mark.

Focus on SpellingApply sound-letter knowledge and grammar to check spelling. Pay close attention to word endings -- -s (plurals), -ed (past tense), -ing (progressive) -- these are the most commonly missed. You earn a point only if a word is spelled 100% correctly.

Type ImmediatelyShort-term memory fades within seconds. Type words as fast as you can while they are still echoing in your mind.

Don't Add Words for LogicIf the sentence sounds slightly ungrammatical, do not 'fix' it. Type exactly what was said.

Don't HesitateThis task is at the very end of the Listening section. Spending too much time on earlier tasks may leave you without time for these high-value questions.

Don't Use Shorthand in the Final BoxIf you noted 'w/' or 'gov' on your notepad, expand them to 'with' and 'government' before submitting.

Don't Ignore EndingsThe most common places to lose points are 's,' 'ed,' and 'ing' endings. Listen extremely closely.

Tips & Tricks

The Echoing Technique

Close your eyes while listening and let the sentence play in your head like a song. Repeat the melody of the sentence as you type.

Chunking

Do not try to remember 12 individual words. Group them into 3–4 meaningful chunks.

'The university offers / a wide range of / parking permits'

The First Letter Method

On your notepad, quickly write only the first letter of each word as you hear it. Use these to reconstruct the sentence.

A v p o t u c → 'All vehicles parked on the university campus'

Standardized Response Template

The Initial Dump

Type everything you remember immediately, even if the spelling is messy. Get words on screen before memory fades.

Grammar Reconstruction

Look at the words you typed. Add the small function words, a, an, the, of, to, that you may have skipped.

The Multiple Choice Spell Check

If you heard an ambiguous word and aren't sure of the spelling, type both versions side by side.

'The principal principle objective…'

Formal Polish

Final check: Capital letter at the start? Full stop at the end? No remaining typos or shorthand?

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Test-Taking Strategies & Practice

1 Capture content words first, then reconstruct function words

As you listen, prioritize content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) -- these carry the core meaning. Then use your knowledge of English sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Object) to add the function words (articles, prepositions, auxiliaries) in the correct positions.

Example: if you captured adults learn best novel information present variety experiences, you can reconstruct Most adults learn best when novel information is presented through a variety of experiences using grammar logic.

2 Use a consistent abbreviation system -- and always expand it

Develop a uniform abbreviation system before exam day and practice it regularly:

w/ = with, w/o = without
bec = because, exp = experience
gov = government, th = the

Consistency is critical. Most importantly: always convert all abbreviations back to full English words before clicking Next.

3 Use phonemic awareness and grammar to verify spelling

Spelling accuracy is essential -- you earn a point only if a word is 100% correctly spelled.

Break uncertain words into sounds and map each to its most common spelling pattern
Use grammar knowledge: wrong tense ending, wrong plural, wrong adverb suffix (-ly)
Pay close attention to word endings: -s (plurals), -ed (past tense), -ing (progressive)

Practice Question

Question 1

The time of the maths lecture has been changed to ten thirty.

Accepted forms: maths / math · ten thirty / 10.30 / 10:30

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Official Scoring Criteria

+1 per word

Each correct word spelled correctly earns 1 point.

0 per wrong

Each incorrect or misspelled word earns 0 points (no negative marking).

Partial credit, no negative marking, spelling accuracy matters. Type every word you hear, even if uncertain. An incorrect word earns 0 but does not deduct points. Scores both Listening and Writing skills.