PTE Academic · Task guide 14 · 4 min read
PTE Reading Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers: tips
PTE Academic Reading Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) explained: negative marking, timing, common traps and a careful routine.
What you see and do
A reading passage of up to about 300 words appears on one side of the screen. On the other side is a question, often about the main idea, details, the writer's purpose or what can be inferred, and a list of five to seven options. More than one option is correct. You tick every option you believe is right.
The screen does not tell you how many answers are correct.
Timing
There is no separate timer for this item. It shares the Reading part timer, about 30 minutes in total. Allow about two to three minutes for each of these items.
How it is scored
Reading Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) counts towards Reading.
It uses partial credit with negative marking:
| Your choice | Effect |
|---|---|
| Each correct option ticked | +1 |
| Each incorrect option ticked | −1 |
| Lowest possible score for the item | 0 |
So ticking two correct options and one wrong one gives you one mark, not two. Ticking everything usually scores zero.
Common mistakes
- Ticking options because they "sound right". Every correct option must be supported by the passage.
- Choosing options with true information that does not answer the question. An option can be accurate and still be irrelevant.
- Falling for word matches. Options often repeat words from the passage but change the meaning.
- Over-ticking. Guesses cost marks. If you are not sure, leave it out.
- Spending too long. This item is worth relatively few marks for the time it takes. Do not let it eat the Reading timer.
A short routine
- Read the question first, so you know what to look for.
- Skim the options and note key words.
- Read the passage with those key words in mind.
- Test each option against the text: find the line that supports it.
- Tick only the options you can prove. Usually, one or two confident answers are enough.
Exam tip: watch for options that are too strong. Words such as "always", "only", "all" and "never" often turn a reasonable statement into a false one.
Illustrative example
This passage and question were written for Fable Tests. They are not taken from any official material.
Night-time light from cities affects more than astronomers. Studies of migrating birds suggest that brightly lit buildings can draw them off course, especially in cloudy weather. Some cities now ask office owners to dim their lights during peak migration seasons. Early results are encouraging, although researchers note that the number of birds counted varies widely from year to year, which makes firm conclusions difficult.
According to the passage, which of the following are true?
| Option | Correct? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A. Artificial light can disturb bird migration. | Yes | Stated in the second sentence |
| B. All cities have banned office lighting at night. | No | "Some cities" only ask owners to dim lights |
| C. Cloudy weather can make the problem worse. | Yes | "especially in cloudy weather" |
| D. Researchers have proved that dimming lights solves the problem. | No | Results are "encouraging" but firm conclusions are difficult |
| E. Astronomers are the only group affected by light pollution. | No | The passage says it affects "more than astronomers" |
The correct answers are A and C. Notice how B, D and E use strong words such as "all", "proved" and "only".
Key points
- More than one answer is correct, and you are not told how many.
- It counts towards Reading.
- +1 for each correct option, −1 for each wrong one, with a minimum of zero.
- Prove each option from the passage before ticking it.
- Be cautious, and keep an eye on the shared Reading timer.
For the official current format, see pearsonpte.com. More guides are on the PTE hub.