Fill in the Blanks : PTE Listening – The Complete Guide

Fill in the Blanks task in PTE Listening section is a direct test of your focus, speed, and accuracy. You listen to a recording and must type the missing words into a transcript in real-time. It’s a task that leaves no room for hesitation, and for many, it can feel overwhelming.

However, a strong performance here is a huge advantage. Every word you type correctly adds points to both your Listening and Writing scores. Mastering this task is consequently one of the most effective ways to boost your overall result.

This guide will provide you with a clear, systematic approach. We will move beyond simple tips like “type fast” and give you a powerful 3-step strategy you can use for every question. Crucially, you will learn what to do in the precious few seconds before the audio even begins to set yourself up for success.

An Overview of Fill in the Blanks : PTE Listening Section

First, let’s establish a clear picture of the task.

• The Format: You will see a transcript of an audio recording with several words missing (usually 4 to 6).
• The Task: As you listen to the audio, you must type the missing words into the blank boxes. The audio plays only once.
• The Time: A 7-second countdown appears before the audio begins. After the audio finishes, you have a short amount of time to review your answers before you must move on.

How is PTE Listening Fill in the Blanks Task Scored?

The scoring system of FIB in PTE Listening is straightforward and rewards accuracy above all else.

• The Points: You receive one point for every single word you type correctly.
• The Catch – Spelling: The word must be spelled perfectly to receive the point. A single typo, even a small one, means you get zero points for that word.
• Negative Marking: Fortunately, there is no negative marking for incorrect words or misspellings.
• The Impact: The points you earn are added to both your Listening score (for correctly identifying the words) and your Writing score (for correctly spelling and transcribing them).

A 3-Step Strategy for Maximum Accuracy

Success in this task is not just about your listening ability; it’s about having a smart workflow. Adopting this systematic approach can dramatically improve your performance.

Step 1: The 7-Second Advantage (Before the Audio)

This is the step that most students miss, and it is a game-changer. You have about 7 seconds of silence before the audio begins. Do not waste this time. Instead, quickly skim the on-screen transcript.

• Your Goal: To understand the main topic and the context of the paragraph.
• Why this works: When you know the topic is “marine biology” or “18th-century European history,” your brain is primed to expect certain types of vocabulary. Consequently, you are much less likely to be surprised by the words you hear. This proactive step turns you from a passive listener into an active participant.

Step 2: Active Listening and Typing (During the Audio)

As the audio plays, your focus must be sharp.

• Follow the Text: Use your mouse cursor to follow the words on the screen as the speaker says them. This keeps you locked into the speaker’s pace and ensures you know exactly when a blank is coming up.
• Type Immediately: As soon as you hear a missing word, type it into the blank. Do not wait until the end. Your short-term memory is not reliable enough to hold 5-6 random words. Type what you hear, as you hear it.
• Don’t Worry About Spelling (Yet): In this phase, speed is more important than perfect spelling. If you’re unsure of a spelling, type it phonetically or how you think it’s spelled and move on. It’s better to get all the words down than to get stuck on one and miss the next two.

Step 3: The Proofreading Sweep (After the Audio)

Once the audio stops, you have a brief but vital window to clean up your work. This is where you secure your points.

• Check Spelling First: Go back to each word you typed. This is your chance to fix any typos or phonetic spellings. Pay special attention to double letters (like “professional”) and tricky vowel combinations (like “beautiful”).
• Check for Grammar and Plurals: Read the sentence that contains your word. Does it make grammatical sense? The most common mistake is missing the plural ‘s’ at the end of a word. For example, did the speaker say “student” or “students“? This single letter is worth a full point.

From Weakness to Strength: A Training Method That Works

Improving your score requires more than just doing random questions. A structured approach builds the right skills.

Start by focusing on your weak points. If you struggle with speed, dedicate a session to just typing words as you hear them, ignoring spelling. In contrast, if your speed is good but your spelling is weak, practice by listening to a short podcast and transcribing it, then checking your spelling. This targeted practice is highly effective. You can begin applying these techniques with our dedicated PTE Listening: Fill in the Blanks practice questions.

As your skills develop, you should test them in a broader context. This task is part of a long and demanding Listening section. Therefore, it’s a good idea to practice it alongside other question types in the full PTE Listening practice section to build your mental stamina.

Finally, the ultimate test is to simulate the real exam. A PTE Listening Sectional Mock Test will challenge you to apply this 3-step system under the pressure of the clock, which is the best way to prepare for test day.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What happens if I lose my place while listening?

If you get distracted and miss a blank, do not panic. Immediately find your place in the text and get ready for the next blank. It is far better to sacrifice one word and be ready for the next three than to lose your focus and miss all of them.

Q2. Are capital letters important?

No. You do not need to worry about capitalization for this task. The scoring software is only concerned with the correct spelling of the words.

Q3. How can I improve my spelling for PTE?

Create a personal “error journal.” Every time you make a spelling mistake in a practice question, write the word down correctly in a notebook. Review your list every day. You will quickly notice the specific types of words that you find difficult and can focus on mastering them.

This task is a test of your ability to multitask under pressure. By using the 3-step system—preparing before, acting during, and reviewing after—you can turn this challenge into a reliable source of points for both your Listening and Writing scores.

The best way to see how this impacts your overall score is to take a full test.

Take a free, full-length PTE mock test with a complete score report. See exactly how your performance in this task contributes to your final result and get the feedback you need.