PTE Academic · Learn · 30 October 2026 · 6 min read
PTE Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text tips
Tips for two high-value PTE listening-and-writing items: catching every word in Write from Dictation and writing a 50–70 word spoken summary.
Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text both sit in the Listening part of PTE Academic, and both count towards Listening and Writing. They test the same core skill, turning what you hear into accurate written English, but in very different ways. One asks for a single sentence, word for word. The other asks for a short summary of a lecture in your own words.
This guide gives practical tips for both. For the format of each item, see our guides to Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text.
The two items side by side
| Summarize Spoken Text | Write from Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | First item in the Listening part | Last item in the Listening part |
| You hear | A short lecture extract, about 60–90 seconds | One short sentence, a few seconds long |
| You write | A summary of 50–70 words | The exact sentence |
| Time | 10 minutes per item, on its own timer | Shares the section timer |
| Marking | Content, form, grammar, vocabulary, spelling | One mark per correct, correctly spelt word |
| Skills | Listening, Writing | Listening, Writing |
Part 1: Write from Dictation
Write from Dictation is often described as one of the most valuable items in the test, because every word is a mark and every mark counts towards two skills. A sentence of twelve words gives twelve chances to score.
Before the audio
Place your cursor in the text box. Relax your hands. You hear the sentence once only.
While you listen
There are two good approaches. Try both in practice and keep the one that works for you.
- Type straight away. If you type quickly, start typing as you hear the words, then fix the end from memory.
- Note first letters. Write the first letter of each word on your noteboard, then type the full sentence from those letters while it is still fresh.
Either way, listen for meaning. A sentence you understand is far easier to remember than a string of sounds.
After the audio
Check in this order:
- Every word is there. Read your sentence and ask whether it makes sense. A missing word usually leaves a gap in the grammar.
- Small words. a, an, the, of, to, in. These are easy to miss and each one is a mark.
- Endings. Plural -s, past tense -ed, third-person -s on verbs.
- Spelling. A misspelt word scores nothing.
Use grammar to recover missing words
If you missed a word, grammar can help. Consider this sentence of our own:
The results of the survey were shared with students at the end of term.
A candidate who heard "results ___ survey" can work out that of the belongs there. A candidate who wrote "result" can check: "were" shows the subject is plural, so it must be results.
Common errors
- Writing the result for the results.
- Writing at end of term without the.
- Writing recieve for receive, enviroment for environment, goverment for government.
- Leaving the item blank. A partial sentence earns marks for every correct word.
Tip: keep a list of academic words you misspell. Common examples include accommodation, environment, significant, necessary, responsibility, laboratory and government. Test yourself on them twice a week.
Part 2: Summarize Spoken Text
Summarize Spoken Text is the first item in the Listening part. You hear a lecture extract once, take notes, and then have 10 minutes to write a summary of 50 to 70 words.
What a good summary contains
- the topic of the talk;
- the main idea or argument;
- two or three supporting points;
- the conclusion or implication, if the speaker gives one.
You do not need examples, statistics or every detail. A summary that captures the structure of the talk scores better than one that lists everything.
Notes that work
You cannot write everything down, and you should not try. Write:
- the topic at the top;
- one line for each main point, in key words only;
- arrows and symbols to save time (→ for "leads to", ↑ for "increase");
- a mark next to anything the speaker stresses or repeats.
A 10-minute routine
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | Read your notes. Circle the main idea and the two or three strongest points. |
| 5–6 minutes | Write two or three sentences: topic and main idea, supporting points, conclusion. |
| 1 minute | Count your words. Stay within 50–70. |
| 2 minutes | Proofread: spelling, verb forms, articles, full stops. |
A short example
Imagine a lecture, which we have written for practice, about urban trees. The speaker explains that trees cool streets in summer, that they reduce flooding by absorbing rainwater, and that many cities plant them without planning for long-term care, so a large share die young. The speaker concludes that maintenance budgets matter as much as planting.
A summary might read:
The lecture discusses the value of trees in cities. The speaker explains that trees lower street temperatures in summer and reduce flooding by absorbing rainwater. However, many cities plant trees without funding their long-term care, so a large proportion die early. The speaker concludes that budgets for maintenance are as important as planting new trees.
That is 55 words: within range, in full sentences, and covering topic, points and conclusion.
Common errors
- Going over 70 words. Cut examples first.
- Writing notes instead of sentences. Form matters; a list scores poorly.
- Missing the conclusion. It is often the most important point.
- Copying long phrases you misheard. Paraphrase in simple, accurate English.
- Not proofreading. There is no spellchecker.
How to practice both
- Every day: ten Write from Dictation sentences. Mark each one word by word.
- Three times a week: one Summarize Spoken Text under the 10-minute timer.
- Once a week: review your spelling list and the summaries you wrote, and rewrite your weakest one.
- Build listening stamina: listen to short academic talks and summarise them aloud or in writing.
Our four-week PTE study plan puts these into a schedule, and which PTE tasks matter most explains why they deserve the time. Find practice on the PTE hub, and check current details on pearsonpte.com.
Key points
- Write from Dictation: one mark per correct, correctly spelt word. Check small words and endings.
- Summarize Spoken Text: 50–70 words, full sentences, topic plus main points plus conclusion.
- Both count towards Listening and Writing.
- Proofread both. There is no spellchecker.