PTE Listening Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers): Tips & Scoring
Listening: Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers plays a recording and asks you to select all the correct options for a question. Like its reading counterpart, it uses negative marking — so listen carefully, take notes, and tick only the options the audio clearly supports.
How the task works
You hear a recording once and answer a question that has more than one correct option, ticking all the answers you believe are correct. You typically face one to two of these.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1Read the question and options before the audio starts, if shown.
- 2Take brief notes while listening so you can check each option afterwards.
- 3Confirm each option against what the recording actually said.
- 4Tick only the options you can justify from the audio.
Confident answers only
Negative marking means a wrong tick cancels a correct one. Two answers you are sure of beat three that include a guess, so leave uncertain options unticked.
How it is scored
- Each correct option selected earns a mark; each incorrect one loses a mark.
- Your item score cannot fall below zero.
- Selecting everything to 'cover' the answers backfires and nets few marks.
- Accuracy beats quantity — only tick what the audio supports.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ticking extra options 'just in case' and triggering the penalty.
- Relying on memory instead of quick notes during the audio.
- Choosing options that sound plausible but were not stated.
- Missing qualifier words in the recording that change an option's truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Listening Multiple Choice (multiple answers) have negative marking?
Yes. Each wrong selection cancels a correct one, though your item score cannot fall below zero. Tick only the options the audio clearly supports, and take notes to check them.
Should I take notes for this task?
Yes. Brief notes during the single listen let you verify each option afterwards, which is far more reliable than memory — especially given the negative marking.
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