The Write From Dictation task tests your ability to listen to a short sentence and type it exactly as you hear it. You will hear the sentence only once, so you need to listen carefully, remember the full sentence, and write as much of it as accurately as possible.
This task checks your listening accuracy, spelling, grammar awareness, and ability to retain spoken information for a short time.
Write From Dictation Scoring
Based on Pearson's official PTE Core scoring guide, each correct word can give you credit, so write as much of the sentence as you can. Spelling matters because misspelled words may not receive credit.
| Criteria | What It Measures | Scoring Range |
|---|---|---|
| Words | Whether each word is written correctly | 1 point for each correct word; 0 for each incorrect word |
Task Format
| Part | Format |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Usually 3–4 questions |
| Audio length | About 3–5 seconds |
| Listening | You hear the sentence only once |
| Task | Type the sentence exactly as you hear it |
| Skills assessed | Listening and Writing |
The sentence is usually short, but it may include words that sound similar, plural forms, contractions, articles, or common spelling traps.
A Simple Strategy to Use
A strong approach is:
- Focus fully before the audio starts.
- Listen to the whole sentence for meaning.
- Repeat the sentence in your mind.
- Type the words you are sure about first.
- Add uncertain words carefully if needed.
- Check capitalization, spelling, and punctuation.
Do not try to analyze the sentence too much while listening. First, understand and retain it, then type it immediately.
Example Question
Let's take this Write From Dictation example and use it throughout the guide.
You will hear a sentence. Type the sentence in the box exactly as you hear it. Write as much of the sentence as you can. You will hear the sentence only once.
Audio transcript:
The weather turned out to be lovely sometime earlier.
Step 1: Prepare Before Playback
Before the audio starts, be fully focused. This is a short sentence, so even a small distraction can make you miss one or two words.
In this example, the sentence has nine words:
The weather turned out to be lovely sometime earlier.
Be ready to listen from the first word.
Step 2: Listen and Retain the Sentence
When the audio plays, listen to the sentence as one complete idea. Do not try to memorize each word separately. Understanding the sentence helps you remember the order.
For this example, the meaning is simple: the weather became pleasant earlier than expected or at an earlier time.
After hearing it, repeat the sentence silently in your mind.
Step 3: Type Immediately After Listening
After the recording ends, start typing right away while the sentence is still fresh in your memory.
Type the words in the same order:
The weather turned out to be lovely sometime earlier.
Pay attention to:
- Capitalization: Start with a capital letter.
- Spelling: weather, not whether.
- Word order: turned out to be, not turned to be.
- Punctuation: End with a full stop.
Step 4: Use the Extra Words Trick Carefully
If you are unsure about one small part, some test takers type both possible versions. For example, if you are not sure whether you heard sometime or some time, you may include both carefully:
The weather turned out to be lovely sometime some time earlier.
Use with caution. Do not overuse this strategy. It can waste time and make your response messy. Use it only for a small number of doubtful words when you have already typed the main sentence.
Step 5: Check Quickly Before Moving On
Before moving to the next question, do a quick check:
- Did you start with a capital letter?
- Did you end with a full stop?
- Are the words spelled correctly?
- Did you avoid missing small words like to or be?
- Is the word order correct?
Do not spend too long. Around 50–60 seconds per sentence is usually enough.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Not focusing before the audio starts
You hear the sentence only once, so you need to be ready immediately.
Stop thinking about the previous question and focus fully before playback. -
Trying to remember word by word only
This can make you forget the sentence order.
Listen for the whole meaning, then repeat the sentence in your mind. -
Waiting too long before typing
The sentence can fade quickly from memory.
Start typing as soon as the audio ends. -
Missing small words
Words like to, be, a, and the are easy to miss.
Pay attention to the full sentence structure. -
Making spelling mistakes
A misspelled word may not receive credit.
Check common traps such as weather/whether, there/their, and affect/effect. -
Forgetting punctuation and capitalization
The sentence should look complete and correct.
Start with a capital letter and end with a full stop. -
Overusing the extra words trick
Adding too many alternative words can waste time.
Use this only when you are unsure about a small part of the sentence.
Practice more PTE Core Write From Dictation questions to improve your listening memory, spelling accuracy, and ability to write exact sentences after hearing them once.
