PTE Core listening practice
To reach CLB 7 in listening, you need 60. Nine question types count toward your listening score.
Practise for free
By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
PTE Core listening
The score you need for each CLB level
| CLB level | Listening score |
|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89 to 90 |
| CLB 9 | 82 to 88 |
| CLB 8 | 71 to 81 |
| CLB 7Federal Skilled Worker | 60 to 70 |
| CLB 6 | 50 to 59 |
| CLB 5 | 39 to 49 |
| CLB 4 | 28 to 38 |
From Pearson's PTE Core to CLB table.
What to know about PTE Core listening
Seven question types are in the listening part. Repeat Sentence and Answer Short Question count too.
Every recording plays once.
Three listening question types count for writing too, so practice raises two scores.
Question types that count for listening
In the listening part
This part takes 22 to 37 minutes.
- SSTSummarize Spoken Text1 to 2 in a testPTE Core versionAlso counts for writing
- MCMMultiple Choice, Multiple Answers1 to 2 in a test
- FIBListening: Fill in the Blanks2 to 3 in a testAlso counts for writing
- MCSMultiple Choice, Single Answer1 to 2 in a test
- SMWSelect Missing Word1 to 2 in a test
- HIWHighlight Incorrect Words1 to 2 in a testAlso counts for reading
- WFDWrite from Dictation3 to 4 in a testAlso counts for writing
From other parts of the test
- RSRepeat Sentence10 to 12 in a testIn the speaking and writing partAlso counts for speaking
- ASQAnswer Short Question5 to 6 in a testIn the speaking and writing partAlso counts for speaking
How to practise listening
Know your target
Find the CLB level your program needs. For CLB 7, that's 60 in listening.Take notes as you listen
Write key words on the whiteboard. You hear each recording only once.Practise Write from Dictation
A test has 3 or 4, and each one counts for listening and writing.Take a full mock test
It shows your score and CLB level for every skill, so you know where you stand.
Your first mock test is free. See the PTE Core mock test.
Common questions
What PTE Core listening score is CLB 7?
You need 60 or higher. For CLB 8 you need 71, and for CLB 9, 82. CLB 7 in all four skills means listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68 and writing 69.
Which question types count for listening?
Nine: Repeat Sentence, Answer Short Question, Summarize Spoken Text, Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers, Listening: Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Single Answer, Select Missing Word, Highlight Incorrect Words and Write from Dictation.
Can I replay a recording in PTE Core?
No. Every recording plays once, so take notes while you listen.
Get the score you need
