PTE
Listening

PTE Highlight Incorrect Words

Master PTE Highlight Incorrect Words. Learn how to spot words that differ between the audio and transcript, and avoid negative marking traps.

⏱ ~2 minutes per item 📊 Medium ⭐ Medium (Listening + Reading)

What is PTE Highlight Incorrect Words?

Highlight Incorrect Words shows a transcript alongside an audio recording. Some words in the transcript differ from what the speaker says. You click the incorrect words. It has negative marking — wrong clicks deduct points — so accuracy matters.

Strategy & Tips

  1. Read ahead of the audio — keep your eyes 3–5 words ahead of what you hear.
  2. Focus on content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs) — these are where differences appear.
  3. Do not click if unsure — negative marking applies. A wrong click costs more than a missed one.
  4. Click quickly and decisively on words you are confident about.
  5. Expect 3–6 incorrect words per passage — if you find more, reconsider some.
  6. Do not be distracted by minor pronunciation differences — look for genuine word substitutions.

How is it Scored?

  • Correct click: +1 point per correctly identified word
  • Incorrect click: -1 point per wrongly clicked word (negative marking)
  • Missed word: 0 (no penalty for missing a word)
  • Best strategy: only click words you are very confident about

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there negative marking in PTE Highlight Incorrect Words?
Yes. Each correct click gives you +1 point, but each incorrect click deducts 1 point. Missed words (words you should have clicked but did not) give 0 — no penalty. This means only click words you are genuinely confident about.
How many incorrect words are in each PTE passage?
Typically 3–6 incorrect words per passage. The passage is 150–300 words long. If you are finding more than 7–8 differences, you are likely over-clicking — reconsider your selections.
Does Highlight Incorrect Words affect the Reading score?
Yes — PTE Highlight Incorrect Words contributes to both Listening AND Reading scores, making it higher value than it appears on the surface.

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