PTE lesson · Start here

PTE Negative Marking notesPartial credit and negative marking

Which wrong answers cost you a point. This PTE lesson is a deck of 8 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 8 cards
  • Free to read online
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

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The first 3 of 8 cards

Preview

  1. PTEStart here · Negative marking

    Wrong doesn't always cost

    a PTE myth worth dropping

    Many learners think PTE takes marks off every wrong answer. Pearson's Score Guides show only three task types do.

    Wrong answers cost marks in PTE, so I leave any blank I'm unsure about.the myth

    Only multiple answers and Incorrect Words take points off.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 8
  2. PTEStart here · Negative marking

    Does a wrong answer cost?

    objective tasks, two questions

    1. 1Do you pick several answers, or click words?
      • Yes−1 per wrong pick
      ↓ no: next question
    2. 2Do you fill blanks, order pairs or type words?
      • Yes+1 each, wrong = 0
      • One answer to pick1 or 0

    Where points come off, the minimum is 0.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 8
  3. PTEStart here · Negative marking

    The sum, and the floor

    multiple-answer tasks

    One item, three attempts
    Your ticksSumItem score
    2 right, 0 wrong+22
    2 right, 1 wrong+2 −11
    1 right, 3 wrong+1 −3 = −20
    • Right tick +1. Wrong tick −1.
    • Row three sums to −2. The minimum score is 0.
    • So a bad item can't drag down other items.
    © 2026 BandLadder · original material3 / 8
  4. Card 4 of 8 onwards

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8 cards

Contents

  1. 1Wrong doesn't always costa PTE myth worth droppingIn the preview
  2. 2Does a wrong answer cost?objective tasks, two questionsIn the preview
  3. 3The sum, and the floormultiple-answer tasksIn the preview
  4. 4Highlight Incorrect Wordsa wrong click costs a pointFree account
  5. 5Reorder: a point a paira swap breaks several pairsFree account
  6. 6Two habits to swapknow when a wrong answer is freeFree account
  7. 7Your turnthree quick onesFree account
  8. 8Save thispartial credit and negative markingFree account

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FAQ

Is the Partial credit and negative marking lesson free?+

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Can I download the Partial credit and negative marking PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for PTE Academic or PTE Core?+

Both versions of the test: it covers what they share and says where they differ.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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