PTE Write from Dictation is a section in the PTE listening exam where a candidate needs to listen to a particular dictation and then write the whole phrase/sentence.
In general, this section has 3-4 questions. There is a time gap of 7 seconds before each audio. As you will hear the sentence only once, concentration is the skill this section demands the most. To score big in this section, one must write exactly the same as the dictated sentence. Does it sound tough for you? Then we are here to help you out. Buy some time to gauge over our experts’ tips for PTE Write from Dictation that will help you score high in this section.
Write From Dictation PTE Tips & Tricks
1. Active Listening Techniques
In the Write from Dictation task, the sentence is played only once, so your listening skills must be sharp. Here’s how you can improve:
- Stay fully focused: Avoid any distractions and concentrate only on the sentence being played.
- Identify keywords: Pay special attention to nouns (people, places, things), verbs (actions), adjectives (descriptive words), and numbers. These words usually form the core meaning of the sentence.
- Don’t panic over unfamiliar words: If you don’t recognize a word, don’t stop listening! Instead, focus on understanding the rest of the sentence.
💡 Tip: Listening to English news, podcasts, and lectures will help train your ears to recognize different accents and speech patterns.
2. Memory Enhancement Techniques
Since you need to remember the full sentence before writing, improving memory retention is crucial. Here’s how:
- Break it into small chunks: Instead of trying to remember the entire sentence at once, divide it into groups of 3-4 words. This technique helps you recall the sentence in order.
- Example: “The university will announce the results next Monday.”
- Break it as: “The university / will announce / the results / next Monday.”
- Use mental imagery: If the sentence has familiar words, visualize them in a scene to remember better.
- Example: If you hear, “The library is located next to the cafeteria,” imagine a library beside a cafeteria in your mind.
- Repeat in your mind: After the sentence is played, quickly repeat it in your head to reinforce memory.
💡 Tip: Regularly practicing memory games and dictation exercises will strengthen your ability to recall sentences accurately.
3. Note-Taking Strategy
Taking quick notes can help you reconstruct the sentence if you forget certain parts. Here’s the best approach:
- Use the first-letter technique: Write only the first letter of each word to help jog your memory.
- Example: Sentence: “The professor will give a lecture on climate change.”
- Notes: T p w g a l o c c
- When recalling, these letters will remind you of the full words.
- Write key words first: If the sentence is long, note only the most important words (nouns, verbs, and numbers) to quickly reconstruct it later.
💡 Tip: Practice note-taking daily with real dictation sentences to develop speed and accuracy.
4. Typing Speed & Accuracy
Since PTE is a computer-based test, fast and accurate typing is essential.
- Improve typing speed: The faster you type, the more time you have to check and correct mistakes. Use typing websites like 10FastFingers for practice.
- Avoid spelling mistakes: Many students make errors in commonly misspelled words like:
- Accommodation (not acomodation)
- Necessary (not neccessary)
- Government (not goverment)
- Fix errors before submitting: If you notice a mistake, quickly correct it before moving to the next question.
💡 Tip: Set a daily target to type 40-50 words per minute with minimal errors.
5. Spelling & Grammar Awareness
Correct spelling and sentence structure are essential for full marks in WFD.
- Spell words correctly: If you misspell even a single word, you lose marks. Learn common PTE vocabulary words and their correct spelling.
- Use articles properly: Articles like “a, an, the” are important in English and should be included where necessary.
- No need for punctuation: While a period (.) at the end of the sentence is not required, the sentence must be grammatically accurate.
💡 Tip: Practice spelling tricky words and familiarize yourself with British vs. American spellings (e.g., colour (UK) vs. color (US)).
6. Practice with Real PTE Questions
Practicing real WFD questions is the best way to improve your accuracy.
- Use reliable platforms like Gurully.com: You’ll get actual exam-like questions to prepare effectively.
- Identify common patterns: Many PTE WFD sentences repeat similar structures, so practicing past questions can help you anticipate what to expect.
- Build confidence: The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you become at recalling and typing sentences.
💡 Tip: Aim to practice at least 20 WFD questions daily to see rapid improvement.
7. Review and Cross-Check Before Submitting
Even after typing the sentence, a final check is necessary to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
- Re-read the sentence: Ensure that every word is in the correct order and that no words are missing.
- Check spelling one last time: Even a small typo can reduce your score.
- Don’t worry about capitalization: PTE does not penalize for incorrect capitalization, but spelling and word order must be 100% correct.
💡 Tip: Train yourself to review your sentence in under 5 seconds before moving on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Changing Word Order: Keep the sentence structure exactly as heard.
❌ Misspelled Words: Practice frequently misspelled words like necessary, accommodation, and government.
❌ Skipping Small Words: Words like “is,” “an,” “the,” “of” are crucial for meaning.
❌ Mishearing Words: Closely to similar-sounding words (affect vs. effect).
Practice Question & Answers For Write From Dictation
Audio:
Transript:
The author expressed an idea that modern readers inevitably cannot accept.
Audio:
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Gravity is the force that attracts two bodies toward one another.
Audio:
Transcript:
Many different conferences offer opportunities for volunteer work.
Audio:
Transcript:
You are required to attend lectures and write weekly reports.
Audio:
Transript:
Stories often contain messages in our life.
Audio:
Transcript:
A new article was published regarding the university last week.
Audio:
Transcript:
The notification will not be received until the following week.
Audio:
Transcript:
Population has a sharp rise in the recent twenty years.
Audio:
Transcript:
Formal conclusions could be established through rigorous experiments.
Audio:
Transcript:
Social psychology is concerned with the understanding of human behavior.
Never overlook mock tests for Write from Dictation PTE
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Also Read:
- Know the Difference Between PTE Core Vs. PTE Academic
- PTE Essay Template, Tips & Practice Question & Answer For Scoring High
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