PTE listening task guide

PTE Multiple Choice, Single Answer: format, scoring and practice

Listening Multiple Choice, Single Answer asks you to choose the one option that best answers the question after one recording. The correct answer usually depends on the speaker's main point or purpose, not a single remembered word.

Practise Multiple Choice, Single Answer See all PTE tasks
Task overview

Multiple Choice, Single Answer at a glance

Prompt30-90 seconds of audio and answer options
PreparationListen once
ResponseNo separate item timer
Skills scoredListening
Test-day flow

How Multiple Choice, Single Answer works

  1. You hear a recording lasting about 30-90 seconds.
  2. You read the question and options, then choose one answer.
  3. There is no separate item timer beyond the Listening section flow.
Scoring

What your response is scored on

Correct or incorrect

One correct selection earns the item credit.

No partial credit

Incorrect or blank responses receive zero.

Listening score

The task contributes to Listening performance.

Use scores as direction, not certainty

Pearson does not publish the complete scoring algorithm or raw-to-scale conversion. PrepEx feedback and 10-90 scores are practice estimates, not official PTE results.

Original example

Sample-style single-answer options

Multiple Choice, Single Answer Sample task
Plays once

The speaker recommends testing a small pilot program before making a permanent policy change.

The speaker argues that pilot programs are always too expensive to run.

The speaker mainly describes the history of university architecture.

The speaker says the current policy has already solved the problem completely.

This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.

Practice method

How to improve at Multiple Choice, Single Answer

  1. Identify the speaker's purpose, attitude and conclusion while listening.
  2. Use notes to separate the main answer from supporting examples.
  3. Eliminate options that mention a true detail but miss the question focus.
Practice this task type

Learn the strategy here, then practise filtered Multiple Choice, Single Answer items in the Practice Hub.

Practise Multiple Choice, Single Answer Back to all PTE task types
Focused session

A 15-minute Multiple Choice, Single Answer practice loop

01

Preview the rules

Re-read the timing, scoring traits and common mistakes on this guide before opening practice.

02

Run focused attempts

Open the filtered Practice Hub view and complete several Multiple Choice, Single Answer attempts without switching task types.

03

Review and repeat

Use your activity history and target plan to decide whether to repeat this task or move to the next weak family.

Continue the loop

Stay on this task for a short focused set, then review whether it should remain your priority.

Run focused attempts Review attempts Update target plan
Avoidable errors

Common mistakes

  • Choosing the first option that repeats a word from the audio
  • Treating examples as the speaker's main conclusion
  • Ignoring tone or attitude when the question asks why the speaker says something
  • Changing the answer without new evidence from the recording
Accuracy and source

Checked against Pearson's current format

Task format, timing and published scoring traits were checked against Pearson's current PTE Academic test-format guidance on June 23, 2026. Pearson remains the final authority and may update the test.

Primary source: Pearson PTE Academic test format.

All PTE task typesBrowse the complete 22-task library by section. How PTE scoring worksUnderstand partial credit, score traits and the 10-90 scale. Practise Multiple Choice, Single AnswerGo directly to matching items in the PTE Practice Hub.
PTE Academic is a trademark of Pearson Education Ltd. PrepEx is independent of Pearson. PrepEx scores are practice estimates, not official Pearson scores.