PTE Core Listening Practice
Updated October 30, 2026
Listening is Part 3 of PTE Core, the last part of the test. It takes 22 to 37 minutes and has seven question types. This page has a short audio clip like the ones in Multiple Choice, Single Answer: a voicemail from a dental office. Play it once, then answer the questions about it. Each question shows the answer and the reason as soon as you pick.
The clip, its script and the questions are original practice written for this independent site in the published PTE Core format. They are not official Pearson material, and the voices are synthetic.
Show transcript
Hi, this is Marco from Westgate Dental, calling for Ms. Okafor. You have a cleaning booked with us for Wednesday at nine a.m. Unfortunately, Dr. Patel will be away at a training course that day, so we need to change your appointment. We have two options for you: the same time on Friday with Dr. Patel, or Wednesday at nine as planned with our other dentist, Dr. Russo. If we don't hear from you by Tuesday, we'll keep you with Dr. Patel and move you to Friday. You can call the front desk or reply to the text we just sent you. Thanks, and have a good day.
How to use the clip
On the real test, every recording plays automatically and only once. To practise the same way:
- Play the clip once without reading the transcript. Take short notes as you listen.
- Answer the first five questions below from your notes.
- Then open the transcript, or replay the clip, to check what you missed.
On the real test, a Multiple Choice, Single Answer item has one question, and you get about 5 seconds to read it and its options before the audio starts. Use those seconds to decide what to listen for.
Practice questions
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Why is Marco calling Ms. Okafor?Answer: CMarco explains that the dentist will be away on the day of her booking, "so we need to change your appointment".
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What is Ms. Okafor's appointment for?Answer: AHe says, "You have a cleaning booked with us for Wednesday at nine a.m." Dr. Russo only comes up as one of the options for the new arrangement.
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Why won't Dr. Patel be at the office on Wednesday?Answer: DMarco says "Dr. Patel will be away at a training course that day". The message doesn't mention illness, holidays or another office.
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Which choice does the office give Ms. Okafor?Answer: BThe two options are "the same time on Friday with Dr. Patel, or Wednesday at nine as planned with our other dentist, Dr. Russo".
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How can Ms. Okafor answer the message?Answer: DMarco says, "You can call the front desk or reply to the text we just sent you." Email and online booking aren't mentioned.
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On the real PTE Core test, how many times does each Listening recording play?Answer: BEvery recording plays automatically and only once, so notes taken while you listen are what you have to work with.
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In Multiple Choice, Single Answer, about how long do you have to read the question before the audio starts?Answer: APearson's test tips describe about 5 seconds to read the question and options before the recording plays.
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Which Listening question type takes a point off for each wrong choice?Answer: CHighlight Incorrect Words, like Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, takes a point off for each wrong click, never below zero. Only click words you are sure you heard differently.
The seven Listening question types
| Question type | Items | Audio | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summarize Spoken Text | 1 to 2 | 45 to 75 seconds | Write a 20 to 30 word summary in 8 minutes |
| Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers | 1 to 2 | 50 to 90 seconds | Select every correct answer; a point off for each wrong pick |
| Fill in the Blanks | 2 to 3 | 30 to 60 seconds | Type the missing words into a transcript |
| Multiple Choice, Single Answer | 1 to 2 | 30 to 60 seconds | Choose the one correct answer |
| Select Missing Word | 1 to 2 | 20 to 70 seconds | Choose the words that complete a recording ending in a beep |
| Highlight Incorrect Words | 1 to 2 | Short | Click the words that differ from what you hear; a point off for each wrong click |
| Write from Dictation | 3 to 4 | 3 to 5 seconds | Type the sentence exactly as you hear it |
Summarize Spoken Text has its own 8-minute timer; the rest share one clock. Several types also feed other skills: Summarize Spoken Text, Fill in the Blanks and Write from Dictation count toward Writing, and Highlight Incorrect Words toward Reading. Spelling counts wherever you type.
Listening tips
- Notes in key words. “Wed 9 cleaning / Patel away, training / Fri same time OR Russo Wed / call or text” is enough for every question on this page.
- Listen for changes. Messages and announcements often give a plan and then change it. The question usually asks about the change.
- Expect paraphrase. “Away at a training course” may come back as “attending a course”.
- Write from Dictation is worth more than it looks. With 3 to 4 items scored per correct word, and counting for both Listening and Writing, it rewards careful spelling and word order.
- Accents vary. PTE Core uses speakers with a range of international accents, so practise with more than one.
Next steps
For the whole format, read the PTE Core test guide. For reading practice, try the PTE Core Reading practice. To see what Listening score each CLB level needs (60 for CLB 7, 28 for the citizenship minimum of CLB 4), see the PTE Core score chart. The home page has more free samples for every Listening type.
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