Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Aug 27, 2024 15:47 IST

PTE Listening - Highlight Incorrect Words: The PTE Listening Section of the PTE exam is for a total of 30-43 minutes and contains eight questions of different types. In this article, we are going to be focusing on acing the Highlight Incorrect Words task in the PTE Listening section of the exam.

PTE Listening Tips For Acing Highlight Incorrect Words

The ‘Highlight Incorrect Words’ question is an integral part of the PTE Listening Section of the PTE exam and requires candidates to look at the errors in the transcript of a recording while listening to the audio recording. The candidate is required to identify the words in the transcript that are different from what is being said in the recording. The length of the recording is between 15 – 50 seconds and the listening and reading skills of the candidate are assessed in this question type.

The recording starts to play automatically and is played only once. So, the test takers are advised to take notes right from the beginning of listening to the recording. While there is no time limit to solve individual questions, PTE test takers should be mindful of the overall time limit of the PTE listening section. 

Table of contents
  • How to Answer Listening Test PTE: Highlight Incorrect Words Section
  • Tips for Listening Test PTE: Highlight Incorrect Words
  • PTE Listening Section - Overview

How to Answer Listening Test PTE: Highlight Incorrect Words Section

PTE Listening Practice: In this section, we are going to be discussing the PTE listening tips on acing Highlight Incorrect Words questions.

1. Glance through the transcription

The recording for the Highlight Incorrect Words question would start with a 10-second delay. So while it is impossible to read word-by-word of the transcription, test takers are advised to glance through the passage. Test takers are advised to take note of any words that give them information such as nouns, adjectives and verbs. Aspirants can also decide on the general topics of the transcription and pick out words that do not fit this topic area as they read and listen to the transcription audio.

2. Move the cursor along with the recording

In this Highlight Incorrect Words question, candidates are required to select the wrong words as the text is read to them. So here, candidates are advised against taking notes. Instead, they should move the cursor along the screen as the words are spoken over the audio and click on any words on the screen that are different from the words on the recording.

 

3. PTE Highlight Incorrect Words Negative Marking

Test takers should note that each selected word is either correct or incorrect. While choosing the correct option is going to make you gain a point, choosing the wrong option will lead to you losing a point. If all your selected words are correct, you will receive maximum score points for this question type. If you get one or more selected words that are incorrect, you will be subject to partial credit scoring.  The PTE Highlight Incorrect Words Negative Marking is one of the three question types in the listening section where you can lose points if you give an incorrect answer.

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As mentioned earlier, the Highlight Incorrect Words PTE 2023 question type affects the scoring of the listening and reading sections of the PTE exam. The speaking and writing skills of the PTE exam are not tested by the Highlight Incorrect Words PTE 2023 question type.

Tips for Listening Test PTE: Highlight Incorrect Words

PTE Listening Practice: The Highlight Incorrect Words task within the Listening Section of the PTE exam requires candidates to look at the transcript of a recording that appears on the screen while listening to the audio recording. The candidate is required to identify the words in the transcript that are different from what is being said in the recording. Candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps to score the PTE Highlights Incorrect Words unit:







  • Test takers are advised to communicate in English as much as possible. This way they would be able to familiarize themselves with the sounds and rhythms of the English language. Which in turn would make it easier for candidates to identify wrong words when they hear them. 
  • Candidates are advised to pay attention to context. The recording in itself would provide clues to the correct word. Candidates can take notes of keywords and phrases as this would help them focus on the important information and identify any incorrect words easily. 
  • If candidates are confused about the correct answer, they should use the technique of elimination. This way they would be able to eliminate all the incorrect words and increase their chances of selecting the right word.
  • Candidates are advised to listen to as many sample recordings and solve as many practice questions as possible. This way they would be able to familiarise themselves with the task and improve their listening skills. 
  • Test takers should also prepare for time management as the PTE Listening Section is for a total of 30-43 minutes and contains eight question types.

Also Read:

PTE Listening Section - Overview

PTE Listening Format: The listening section of the PTE Academic is stretched over 30 to 43 minutes of duration. This one is designed to determine the ability to understand spoken English by the candidate. Here, the student needs to ascertain that they carefully hear the audio file played and retain what they heard. This section is divided into 8 segments and the time given to each segment is as follows.

PTE Listening Section Question Topics

PTE Questions per task

Duration per task

Summarize spoken text

1 - 2

60-90 seconds to retain  50-70 words, 10 minutes to write

Multiple choice, multiple answers

1 - 2

40-90 seconds for prompt

Fill in the blanks

2 - 3

30-60 seconds

Highlight correct summary

1 - 2

30-90 seconds

Multiple-choice, single-answer

1 - 2

30-60 seconds

Select missing word

1 - 2

20-70 seconds

Highlight incorrect word

2 - 3

15-50 seconds

Write from Dictation

3 - 4

3-5 seconds

Total Questions

12 - 20

Time Allocation: 30 - 43 minutes

Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. Or write to us in the comments below. 

Q:   In which city is the PTE Academic test conducted?
A:

The PTE Academic exam is conducted across 62 major cities in India. Some of the popular PTE India test centres include Noida, Gurugram, New Delhi, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Muktsar Sahib, Pune, Mohali, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.   

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
A:

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q:   What is the latest update in PTE exam in 2025?
A:

The latest advancements in the PTE Academic exam for the year 2025 are given below: 

  1. The PTE exam fee was increased by INR 1000 in 2025 for Indian students. The PTE exam fee, which was INR 17,000 in 2024, has increased to INR 18,000 in 2025.
  2. The higher education institutes in the Netherlands started accepting the PTE exam for international applications from 2025.
  3. Double Checking by Human Experts: In the PTE exam, the scores received upon automated scoring for two of the PTE Speaking section questions, i.e. PTE Describe Image and Retell Lecture will now be double-checked by the human experts. However, this does not imply any change to the content and administration of the test. 
  4. Introduction of Smart Prep: Smart Prep section has been introduced in the My PTE account of the test takers. Test takers can access Smart Prep with or without booking a PTE test slot. The section comprises of both - the free and paid resources for preparation of the PTE exam at one place. 
  5. Discontinuation of the PTE Academic Online Exam: Test takers can now relax with their long-standing doubt - whether PTE Academic Online is available for their country and/or does their desired university accept it. The administrator of the PTE exam, the Pearson PLC Group has now removed the PTE Academic Online exam.
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat Read Full Bio
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