In this part of the test, we assess your listening skills. Additionally, there are integrated speaking and listening questions in another section.
What’s it?
In the primary listening section, you’ll listen to audio or video clips that start automatically. You can adjust the volume by moving the bar to the right side to suit your comfort level. It’s important to note that the audio clips are played only once.
Section Overview
Items | Task | Number of Items | Prompt length | Scoring | Skills assessed |
Summarize Spoken text | Write down a summary of 50-70 words after listening to an audio clip. | 1 – 2 | 60-90 seconds | Partial Credit | listening and writing |
Multiple choice, choose multiple answers | Multiple options are given on your screen and you need to choose more than one option based on the audio clip you hear. You need to select all the options that you think are true for the recording. | 1 – 2 | 40-90 seconds | Partial Credit ( For Each Correct Response. Point Deducted For Incorrcet Option Chosen ) | listening |
Fill in the blanks | The audio clip played should be matched with the transcription written on the screen. You will need to fill in the blanks that the transcription has.You fill the blanks as you hear the audio. | 2 – 3 | 30-60 seconds | Partial Credit (Each Correct Word Spelled Correctly) | listening and writing |
Highlight correct summary | After listening to the audio, you need to select the paragraph that perfectly summarizes the matter spoken in the recording. | 1 – 2 | 30-90 seconds | Correct / Incorrect | listening and reading |
Multiple choice, choose single answer | After listening to a recording, answer a multiple-choice question on the content or tone of the recording by selecting one response | 1 – 2 | 30-60 seconds | Correct / Incorrect | listening |
Select missing word | The recording will be played with a missing word or words. From the given options, you need to select the missing part. | 1 – 2 | 30-60 seconds | Correct / Incorrect | listening |
Highlight incorrect words | You need to select the word from the written transcript that is different from the speech in the audio clip. Left-clicking is used to highlight the word. | 2 – 3 | 20-70 seconds | Partial Credit (For Each Word. Points Deducted For Incorrect Options Chosen ) | listening |
Write from dictation | Listen carefully to the sentence spoken. You need to write it in the box verbatim | 3 – 4 | 3-5 seconds | Partial Credit (For Each Word Spelled Correctly) | listening and writing |
Summarize spoken text
What is this task?
You’ll listen to a recording of text and then write a summary of it in 50-70 words.
How much time do you have?
You’ll be given 60-90 seconds to complete this task.
How is it assessed?
Your performance in this task is evaluated based on your listening and writing skills.
Tip:
To make summarizing easier, jot down important keywords or phrases quickly. You can also use the cut, copy, and paste option if needed.
Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers
What’s it?
You’ll listen to an audio clip and then choose multiple answers that match what was said in the recording.
How long do you have?
You’ll have 40-90 seconds to complete this task.
How is it assessed?
Your listening skills are evaluated in this task.
Tip:
Quickly scan through all the options to make it easier to select the ones that are relevant to the audio.
Fill In The Blanks
What’s it?
You’ll have a transcript on your screen with several empty spaces that need to be filled. Simultaneously, you’ll listen to an audio clip of the same transcript, and your job is to type in the missing words as you hear them.
How much time do you have?
You’ll be given 30-60 seconds to complete this task.
How is it assessed?
Your performance is evaluated based on your listening and writing skills.
Tip:
If you’re a fast typist, you can type the words as you listen to the audio clip. Alternatively, you can jot down the missing word on your notepad and then type all the words into the blanks once the clip is finished.
A crucial note:
You’ll need to move your cursor to the empty space and click on it to type a word. Some people forget this step, and their typed words don’t appear on the screen. It’s advisable to check the word and its spelling before clicking the ‘next’ button.
Highlight Correct Summary
What does this involve?
You’ll listen to an audio clip featuring a lecture. Following the lecture, your task is to choose the summary paragraph that most accurately reflects what was discussed.
How long do you have?
You’ll be allotted 30-90 seconds to complete this task.
How is your performance assessed?
Your performance is evaluated based on your listening and reading skills.
Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
What’s this task about?
You’ll listen to a recording attentively. Afterward, you should select one of the provided sentences or text options. This chosen sentence or text should answer a question related to the audio you just listened to.
How long do you have?
You’ll have 30-60 seconds to complete this task.
How is your performance assessed?
Your performance is evaluated primarily based on your listening skills.
Select Missing Word
What’s it?
You’ll be presented with an audio clip that includes a ‘beep’ sound. Your task is to choose the most suitable option that aligns with the ‘beep.’
How long do you have?
You’ll have 20-70 seconds to complete this task.
How is your performance assessed?
Your listening skills are the primary basis for assessment.
Tip:
The ‘beep’ typically occurs towards the end of the audio. However, it’s advisable to listen attentively from the beginning because sometimes the ‘beep’ serves as the conclusion to the entire sentence.
Highlight Incorrect Words
What’s this task about?
You’ll have a written transcript displayed on your screen. Simultaneously, you’ll listen to an audio clip of the same transcript. Your task is to identify and select words (by left-clicking on them) that differ from the words spoken in the audio clip.
How much time do you have?
You’ll be given 15-50 seconds to complete this task.
How is your performance assessed?
Your performance is evaluated based on your listening and reading skills.
Tip:
As the audio clip plays, move your mouse cursor and stay alert. Click on any word that you hear differently from the recording. Even if you mistakenly click on a word, avoid going back to deselect it immediately, as the speaker may continue with more words, causing you to miss them. Instead, remember the words you clicked incorrectly, and at the end, deselect them all by left-clicking on them again.
Write From Dictation
What is it?
You’ll encounter a written transcript on your screen, and simultaneously, you’ll listen to an audio clip of the same content. Your objective is to spot and select words (by left-clicking on them) that do not match the words spoken in the audio clip.
How long do you have?
You’ll have a timeframe of 15-50 seconds to complete this task.
How is your performance evaluated?
Your performance is assessed based on your listening and reading skills.
Tip:
While the audio clip is playing, move your mouse cursor and remain attentive. Click on any word that you perceive as different from what’s in the recording. Even if you accidentally click on a word, avoid immediately deselecting it, as the speaker may continue, causing you to miss subsequent words. Instead, make a mental note of any incorrectly clicked words, and at the end, deselect them all by left-clicking on them again.