1. Take notes of the main points and supporting details

In PTE Multiple Choice Question, around the 5-7 seconds before the recording begins, read the question and get ready to take notes to help you answer. Taking notes is likely to be more helpful than trying to select options while you listen because you may not hear the information in the same order as the options.

2. Select for meaning, not just to match the words you hear

Don’t just choose an option because it has the same words or phrases as the recording. Several options may use words from the recording but may not match the meaning of what you have heard.

3. Focus on the kind of information you need

For listening multiple-choice questions, the main part of the question tells you what to listen for. Being aware of the focus of the question will help guide your listening.

For example, it will tell you whether you are listening for the main idea: What was the main cause of the company’s collapse?

Or listening for some supporting information or details: What aspect of past transport policy does the speaker mention?

Or listening for an inference drawn by the speaker: What does the speaker suggest that the factory may have to do?

Or listening for the speaker’s purpose: Why does the speaker talk about the fall in car ownership?