Write from Dictation is one of the most scoring tasks in the PTE test. It might look simple at first, you listen to a short sentence and type it exactly as you heard. But in reality, it demands a sharp memory, clear focus, and accurate spelling. Every single word carries a mark. That means a missed article, a misplaced preposition, or a wrongly spelled term can quickly drag your score down.
To achieve 79+ in PTE Write Dictation, you need more than just good English. You need strategies, practice routines, and small but consistent improvements in listening and writing. The good news is that with the right approach, this is one of the easiest sections to boost your overall score. Let’s break it down step by step.
What Is PTE Write from Dictation?
In this task, you hear a sentence that usually lasts three to five seconds. Your job is to type it exactly as it is spoken, with the correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. The challenge is that you only hear the sentence once. You cannot replay it. You also get very little time to prepare before the audio begins.
This task sits in the listening section, but it contributes to both your listening and writing scores. That’s why it is such a high-value task and doing well here gives you a double advantage.
Many test takers struggle not because they don’t understand the language but because they lose concentration, forget parts of the sentence, or type in a hurry and miss simple spelling rules. That is why building good habits early makes a big difference.
Best Tips to Maximise Your Score
Focus on the Meaning First
You don’t need to capture every word instantly. Listen for the meaning of the sentence. Understanding the idea helps you reconstruct parts you may not clearly hear.
When the speaker uses a different accent or speaks faster than expected, focusing on the general sense prevents panic. You’ll be able to rebuild small linking words like “the” or “of” because the sentence still makes sense in your mind.
A good way to practise is to listen to podcasts or radio shows where you can’t see the speaker’s lips or gestures. Try Australian news bulletins, British panel discussions, or American interviews. Switch between them so you get used to different speech patterns. At first, it may feel tough, but you’ll notice how your brain adapts within a few weeks.
Develop Note-Taking Skills That Work for You
You get about seven seconds before the audio starts. That’s your moment to centre yourself: cursor ready in the box, notepad open, eyes on the screen.
While listening, don’t try to write full words unless they are short. Create your own shorthand. Some people jot the first two or three letters of each word. Others use phonetic sounds, especially for unfamiliar terms. The goal is not a perfect note but a memory trigger.
Breaking sentences into chunks helps too. Instead of holding ten words in your head, hold three or four, then three or four more. Your brain remembers small packages more easily than a long chain. Over time, this technique feels natural.
Build Strong Spelling and Grammar Habits
Spelling errors are common in Write from Dictation, and every error costs you. Start keeping a personal list of words you tend to misspell. Practice them daily until the correct version feels automatic.
Look out for simple details. Articles like “a” and “the,” plural endings with “s,” and verb endings with “ed”. These may look tiny, but they carry weight. Grammar slips, like missing capitalisation or forgetting a full stop, can reduce marks as well.
An easy exercise is to write down three sentences you hear each day from a podcast or YouTube video. Then compare them with the transcript. Notice where your spelling went wrong. Over a few weeks, this practice sharpens your eye for detail.
Learn to Type with Speed and Calmness
Typing speed matters because you don’t have much time between sentences. The faster and smoother you type, the more brain space you free for recalling words.
Set aside 10 minutes daily to practise typing. Use websites that provide random sentences. Keep track of your words per minute and accuracy. Even a small jump from 35 words to 45 words per minute can save you precious seconds in the test.
Stay calm if you miss something. Freezing or backtracking wastes more time. Keep typing what you remember, then review later. Often, you can guess the missing piece based on context. That is better than leaving a blank.
Simulate Real Exam Conditions
Mock tests are powerful because they show you how your brain reacts under pressure. Sit in a quiet room, set a timer, and attempt a set of dictation tasks. Treat it like the real exam.
When you practise this way, you reduce surprises on test day. You also train your concentration span. During the actual exam, background noise or tension won’t distract you as easily because you’ve already trained your brain to stay locked in.
Avoid using video content for practice. Visuals give you extra cues that won’t be available in the test. Stick to audio only. That keeps practice authentic.
Review and Learn From Mistakes
Progress comes when you analyse where you went wrong. After each session, ask yourself: Did I lose focus? Did I misspell? Did I forget a small linking word?
Keep a simple journal of your errors. Write the sentence as you typed it and the correct version next to it. Over time, patterns will appear. Maybe you often forget articles. Maybe plurals slip past you. Once you see the trend, you know exactly what to fix.
Some students create flashcards of tricky words or phrases. Reviewing them daily keeps them fresh in your mind.
Final Thoughts
Write from Dictation is not about being perfect every time. It is about building systems that help you recall, spell, and type with accuracy. Over weeks of training, you’ll notice fewer mistakes, quicker typing, and stronger focus. That’s how you reach 79+ and beyond.
Contact us to learn more about our PTE courses. At EnglishWise, we combine AI-scored practice, full mock tests, personalised feedback, and flexible packages to help you master Write from Dictation and other PTE tasks. With over 50,000 students guided to success, our experts are ready to help you achieve your target score with confidence.
