How to Become a Pro at Write from Dictation

In Write from Dictation you have to listen to a short sentence, and write/type it verbatim into the box at the bottom of the screen. Sounds easy, right? Think again. On the surface, it may seem like this task is all about “parroting”. However, test takers tend to underestimate how much practice actually goes into getting it right. The Write from Dictation task of the PTE Academic Listening module tests your ability to remember things in the short term.

1 mark is awarded for each correct word in Write from Dictation. If you skip a word or make spelling mistakes, you’ll not get any marks for it.

Here’s our list of 9 things you should keep in mind before you do Write from Dictation tasks:

• Don’t listen and write simultaneously

  Listen first, and while you are at it, your focus should be on understanding the meaning of the sentence, rather than memorizing words.

• Give the note-taking a rest

   

• Avoid using full words the first time you write

  Once the recording is over, quickly type everything you can remember in the response box, using short forms as much as possible. This works as a substitute for note-taking.

• Check for grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes

   

  Every sentence in your response to Write from Dictation task should begin with a capital letter, and end with a full stop. No other punctuation marks are required. Don’t introduce articles where they don’t exist. Steer clear of mixing singular and plural nouns. Reading “tree” as “trees” and “balls” as “ball” count as errors.

• Put all the words in the correct order

  Even if you manage to get all the words right, you might lose out on marks if the correct sequence is not followed in Write from Dictation tasks.  

• Do not skip the question

   

  If you are unable to recall all the parts of the sentence, type as many words accurately as you can. Since there is no negative marking, writing even a fraction of the sentence will fetch you some marks.

• Scoring 

  This item contributes to your listening as well as writing score.  

1 mark is awarded for each correct word (only if the spelling is right). 

For example, if it’s an 11-word sentence like, “I will miss my train if I don’t leave right away.”         

And your response is, “I will mis my trains if I dont leave right away.”

Your total score for this question will be 8/11.

• Don’t forget to click next

  Please remember that the next item does not start until you click the Next button at the bottom of the screen.

• Take as many mock tests as you can

  The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice. To get great deals on PTE mock tests and expert evaluations, buy PTE Voucher Online.