Free PTE Core listening practice with answers
Free PTE Core listening practice with answers: each set below has original everyday recordings that play in the browser, opens without an account and shows the answers, transcripts and explanations after you check.
Original BandLadder practice in Pearson’s published format, not real exam questions. Updated 2026-10-26. Task counts are from Pearson’s PTE Core Score Guide and the PTE Core listening format page.
Free PTE Core listening sets by task
PTE Core Summarize Spoken Text
PTE Academic uses a 60–90-second lecture, a 50–70-word summary and 10 minutes. PTE Core uses a 45–75-second recording, a 20–30-word summary and 8 minutes. Both times include listening and writing.
In the test: 1–2 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core Summarize Spoken Text practice: Everyday briefings
Questions: Moving the weekend market indoors; Getting a shift swap approved.
PTE Core Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
Listen once and choose every supported answer. Recordings last 80–120 seconds in Academic or 50–90 seconds in Core. Wrong selections cost marks.
In the test: 1–2 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core Listening MCQ Multiple practice: Community and Workplace Briefings
Questions: Repair Workshop Venue Change; Handheld Scanner Training.
PTE Core Listening: Fill in the Blanks
You read a transcript with gaps while the recording plays and type the missing word into each gap.
In the test: 2–3 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core Listening Fill in the Blanks practice: Everyday Services
Questions: Library Book Collection; First Morning at Work; Community Advice Appointment.
PTE Core Listening: Multiple Choice, Single Answer
You hear a recording of 30–60 seconds and answer one multiple-choice question by choosing the single correct option.
In the test: 1–2 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core Listening MCQ Single practice: Everyday decisions
Questions: Confirming a Changed Appointment; Checking Parcel Addresses; Choosing an Accessible Advice Venue.
PTE Core Select Missing Word
Hear a recording ending in a beep, then choose the word or phrase that completes the speaker’s meaning.
In the test: 1–2 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core SMW practice: Everyday Outcomes
Questions: Checking a Repaired Printer; Finding the New Advice Venue.
PTE Core Highlight Incorrect Words
You read a transcript while the recording plays. A few words on screen differ from what the speaker says: you click those words.
In the test: 1–2 items in Part 3: Listening (22–37 minutes).
- PTE Core Highlight Incorrect Words practice: Everyday Details
Questions: Library Book Collection; First Morning at Work.
Other PTE Core listening tasks
BandLadder has no Core-specific set for these tasks yet. They appear in both PTE Core and PTE Academic, so the free sets on each task page practise the same format, with academic rather than everyday topics.
- PTE Write from Dictation practice (shared format)
You hear one short sentence, once, and type it exactly as you heard it, with every word spelled correctly. In PTE Core: 3–4 items.
PTE Core listening practice FAQ
Is this PTE Core listening practice free?
Yes. Every Core set on this page opens without an account, with recordings that play in the browser. Check your answers to see the transcript and an explanation. Totals are practice marks, not official PTE scores.
Which listening tasks are in PTE Core?
Seven, in Part 3: Summarize Spoken Text (1–2 items), Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers (1–2), Fill in the Blanks (2–3), Multiple Choice, Single Answer (1–2), Select Missing Word (1–2), Highlight Incorrect Words (1–2) and Write from Dictation (3–4), according to Pearson's PTE Core Score Guide.
Is Highlight Correct Summary in PTE Core?
No. Highlight Correct Summary is a PTE Academic task only. PTE Core also has no Retell Lecture or Summarize Group Discussion.
How long is a PTE Core Summarize Spoken Text answer?
20–30 words for full Form marks. The Core recording lasts 45–75 seconds, and you get 8 minutes to listen and write.
How is PTE Core listening scored?
Fill in the Blanks and Write from Dictation earn one mark per correct word spelled correctly. Multiple Answers and Highlight Incorrect Words take a mark away for each wrong choice, down to zero. Single Answer and Select Missing Word are right or wrong. Summarize Spoken Text is scored on content, form, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.
More free PTE Core practice
- PTE Core reading practice
- PTE Core practice test across all four skills
- PTE Core to CLB calculator
- PTE Core preparation overview
BandLadder is an independent preparation platform. Practice marks are not official Pearson scores or CLB levels.