PTE Listening Fill in the Blanks: Tips & Scoring
In Listening: Fill in the Blanks, a transcript appears with missing words and you type each word as the audio plays. The challenge is keeping pace with the recording, which plays only once — so you anticipate the gaps and type quickly and accurately.
How the task works
A transcript with several blanks is shown while a recording plays. You type the missing word into each gap as you hear it. You typically face two to three of these.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1Follow the transcript with your eyes and look ahead to the next blank.
- 2Type the exact word you hear, with correct spelling.
- 3If you miss a word, leave it and keep pace — do not fall behind the audio.
- 4Use any leftover time after the audio to fix spelling and fill gaps you remember.
Keep pace with the audio
The recording does not pause for you. If you get stuck on one blank, skip it and stay with the audio — chasing a single missed word usually costs you the next two.
How it is scored
- Each correctly typed (and correctly spelled) blank earns one mark.
- There is no negative marking, so attempt every gap you can.
- Partial credit applies — getting most blanks right still scores well.
- This task contributes to your Listening score.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Falling behind the audio while fixing one earlier blank.
- Misspelling words you heard correctly.
- Looking at the keyboard instead of following the transcript and audio.
- Leaving blanks empty when there is no penalty for trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss a word in Listening Fill in the Blanks?
Leave that blank and stay with the audio rather than falling behind. There is no negative marking, so fill what you can; you can return to a missed gap afterwards if you recall the word.
Does spelling matter in this task?
Yes. A blank only earns its mark if the word is spelled correctly, so type accurately and use any spare time after the audio to check your spelling.
Continue Reading
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