How to Use Note-taking Techniques for PTE Success

In the PTE exam, you are given an erasable note-board and a pen. This is not an afterthought; in fact, it is one of the most critical tools you have for achieving a high score. For several of the most complex, high-value tasks, your ability to take fast, effective notes is the single skill that separates an average score from a great one.

But what does “good note-taking” actually mean in the high-pressure environment of the PTE? It is not about writing down everything you hear. Instead, it is about quickly capturing the most important information in a structured way that you can use instantly to build your answer.

This guide will provide you with a practical toolkit of note-taking techniques. Specifically, we will move beyond generic advice and give you named systems that you can apply to different tasks. You will learn what to listen for, how to organize your notes, and ultimately, how to use them to construct a high-scoring answer under pressure.

The Essential Toolkit: Core Principles for Fast Note-Taking

Before we look at specific tasks, you must first master the three universal rules of effective note-taking for the PTE.

Rule #1: Phrases, Not Sentences

This is the most important principle. You should never try to write down full sentences. The speakers in the audio clips talk far too quickly, and consequently, you will immediately fall behind. Your goal is to capture key phrases and keywords.

• Instead of writing: “The primary cause of the industrial revolution was the invention of the steam engine.”
• You should write: “Industrial rev -> steam engine cause”

This method is faster, more efficient, and captures all the essential information you need.

Rule #2: Develop Your Own Shorthand

In order to write quickly, you must shorten common words. Developing a personal set of abbreviations and symbols is therefore essential.

• Common Abbreviations: gov (government), dev (development), info (information), edu (education).
• Useful Symbols: & (and), w/ (with), => (leads to/results in), ↑ (increase), ↓ (decrease).

Rule #3: Focus on Meaning-Carrying Words

When listening, you should train your ear to catch the nouns and verbs. These are the words that carry the core meaning of the sentence. Generally, you can ignore small grammar words like ‘a’, ‘the’, ‘is’, ‘in’ during the note-taking phase, as you can add them back in when you construct your final response.

Note-Taking Strategies for the PTE Listening Section

The Listening section requires you to process information quickly. For that reason, here is the right note-taking tool for each key task.

For Summarize Spoken Text: The “Linear Flow” Method

In this task, you need to write a 50-70 word summary of a lecture. A simple, direct note-taking method is best.

• The Method: As you listen, write down 4-5 key phrases from top to bottom, following the flow of the lecture.
• Example Notes (for a lecture on bee population decline):
  • Bee population dropping
  • Reason: pesticides & habitat loss
  • Big impact on food crops / pollination
  • Need more research on solutions
• Why it works: This simple, top-to-bottom list gives you a clear, chronological set of the main ideas. As a result, it provides all the raw material you need to write a concise and accurate summary. You can start practicing this on our Summarize Spoken Text practice page.

For Multiple-Choice & Highlight Correct Summary: Capturing the Core Idea

For these comprehension tasks, your goal is not to take detailed notes. Instead, you should aim to capture the single main idea of the audio.

• The Method: Listen for the speaker’s main point or conclusion. On your noteboard, write down just one or two short phrases that represent this core message.
• Why it works: This prevents you from getting lost in minor details. The incorrect answer options, after all, are often designed to distract you with small, accurate details that are not the main point. Your brief notes on the core idea will act as your anchor, helping you eliminate these distractors.

For Write from Dictation: The “First-Letter” Method for Perfect Recall

This task requires you to remember a full sentence perfectly. Note-taking is therefore essential for your memory.

• The Method: As the sentence is spoken, write down the first letter of each word.
• Example: For the sentence “The university library is located on the north side,” your notes would be: T U L I L O T N S.
• Why it works: This is the fastest way to create a “skeleton” of the sentence. Your brain then uses these letters as powerful triggers to recall the full words in the correct order. You can drill this technique with our Write from Dictation practice questions.

Note-Taking Strategies for the PTE Speaking Section

For Retell Lecture: The “Structured Layout” Method

In this task, you have to deliver a well-structured spoken summary. For this reason, a structured approach to your notes is a huge advantage.

• The Method: Before the audio begins, quickly divide your noteboard into a simple structure: a box for the Main Topic at the top, and then space for Key Point 1 and Key Point 2 below it.
• Example Notes (for a lecture on automation):
  • Topic: Automation & Jobs
  • KP1: Tech replacing routine jobs -> workers need new skills (creative)
  • KP2: Transition hard -> govt support needed (retraining)
• Why it works: When the audio stops, you don’t just have a list of random keywords. Instead, you have an instant, logical structure for your 40-second summary. This makes it much easier to speak fluently and coherently. You can practice this method on our Retell Lecture practice page.

A Warning: When NOT to Take Notes

Just as important as knowing when to take notes is knowing when not to. In fact, taking notes during certain tasks can split your focus and actually lower your score.

• Repeat Sentence: Your focus here must be 100% on listening and understanding the meaning and rhythm of the sentence. Trying to write will cause you to miss words and will consequently hurt your fluency.
• Multiple Choice, Single Answer (Listening): For this task, you should read the question first and then listen for one specific piece of information. Taking general notes is a distraction from this focused mission.

How to Build Your Note-Taking Habit: A Practice Plan

Note-taking is a skill that improves with practice. For best results, follow this plan.

1. Practice in Isolation: First, choose one technique and one task (e.g., the Linear Flow method for SST). Practice it repeatedly until the process feels automatic.
2. Develop Your Shorthand: As you practice, build your personal list of abbreviations and symbols in a notebook. Then, review it before each study session.
3. Simulate Exam Conditions: Ultimately, the real test is using these skills under pressure. A full-length PTE mock test will force you to switch between different note-taking techniques quickly, just like in the real exam.

Effective note-taking is not an optional skill in the PTE; indeed, it is a fundamental part of a high-scoring strategy. By choosing the right technique for the right task and practicing it consistently, you can turn your note-board into your most powerful tool for a high PTE score.

Frequently Asked Questions About Note-Taking in PTE

Q1. Do I get to keep my notes after each question?

No. The erasable note-board is for one question at a time. After you complete a task, you should erase your notes to prepare for the next question.

Q2. What kind of pen do they provide at the test center?

Pearson provides specialized, non-permanent markers and an erasable, laminated booklet. You will typically be given two pens. For that reason, it is important to check that they both work well before the test begins.

Q3. Can I use my own shorthand or even my native language in my notes?

Yes, absolutely. Your notes are for your eyes only. You can use any system of abbreviations, symbols, or even words from your native language that helps you capture information quickly and accurately. The only thing that matters, in the end, is that you can understand your notes a few seconds later.