You may remember the main idea of a sentence and still miss several words when typing it. Small words, noun endings and spelling deserve close attention in PTE Write from Dictation (WFD).
If your practice responses regularly lose words such as the, of or by, or you confuse student with students, start tracking those errors. This will give you a clearer practice goal than simply completing more questions.
How Is Write from Dictation Assessed?
In WFD, you hear a sentence once and type what you heard. The task contributes to Listening and Writing. Correctly recalled and spelled words earn credit, and partial credit applies when your response is partly correct.[1]
Aim to reproduce the original sentence accurately, including its small words and endings.
1. Missing Small Words
When concentrating on a sentence’s main message, you may remember its nouns and verbs but lose connecting words.
Original practice sentence:
The results of the study will be published next week.
Example response with errors:
The results study will be published next week.
The response keeps most of the message but misses of the.
Listen for complete phrases such as the results of the study, then connect them to the rest of the sentence. During review, check whether you have missed articles, prepositions or auxiliary verbs.
Words worth checking include a, an, the, of, to, in, on, for, by, is, are, was and were. Include them when they occur in the recording.
2. Singular and Plural Mistakes
A small ending can change the word you need to type.
Original practice sentence:
Students must submit their assignments before the deadline.
Example response with errors:
Student must submit their assignment before the deadline.
Here, students and assignments have both lost their plural endings.
Practise listening for the end of each word. Compare pairs such as student/students, assignment/assignments and lecture/lectures using audio practice.
Use grammar as a checking tool, while keeping the recording as your reference. If the sentence sounds awkward, examine your answer for a missing word or ending. Avoid adding an -s automatically whenever you are uncertain.
3. Spelling Errors
Remembering the right word is only part of the task. You also need to spell it correctly.[1]
Original practice sentence:
The laboratory equipment requires regular maintenance.
Example response with an error:
The laboratory equipment requires regular maintanance.
The intended word is clear, but maintanance should be maintenance.
Keep a personal spelling list based on your own mistakes. Some useful examples are:
| Incorrect spelling | Correct spelling |
|---|---|
| maintanance | maintenance |
| necesary | necessary |
| accomodation | accommodation |
| enviroment | environment |
Read the correct word, cover it, write it from memory and check it. Then practise the word in a complete sentence and revisit it the following day.
A Four-Step WFD Practice Method
1. Listen for the complete sentence.
Follow the message and its phrases. If you take notes, use a method that helps you retain the words without losing track of the recording.
2. Type what you remember.
Capture the words you heard and arrange them in the original order.
3. Check small words and endings.
Review articles, prepositions, singular/plural forms and verb endings. Use your memory of the recording to resolve uncertainty.
4. Check spelling before submitting.
Look carefully at words you commonly misspell.
Afterwards, compare your answer with the transcript. Replay difficult audio during review to understand what you missed.
Track the Error Before Choosing the Exercise
Label each mistake as a missing word, wrong word, ending error, spelling error or word-order problem.
If spelling errors dominate, add focused spelling practice. If you repeatedly lose the middle of sentences, work on retaining complete phrases. If you miss endings, use short exercises that make you distinguish singular and plural forms.
Try a daily session with five fresh sentences. Complete your first attempt without seeing the transcript, review each error and revisit difficult sentences the next day.
Measure progress using fresh questions as well as repeated ones. Remembering a practised answer does not show whether you can accurately transcribe a new sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write a synonym if I forget the original word?
WFD asks you to reproduce what you heard. Practise recalling the original words rather than paraphrasing the sentence.[1]
Should I add a plural ending if I am unsure?
Check what you heard and how the sentence fits together. Do not add endings automatically.
How can I check whether I am improving?
Compare first-attempt accuracy on fresh sentences and track which error types keep appearing.
Practise PTE Write from Dictation with IPT Brisbane
Explore our Write from Dictation guide and PTE coaching in Brisbane for support with listening accuracy, spelling and focused practice.
Bring some recent practice responses to a free demo class so we can discuss the mistakes you need to work on.
Call: +61 481 332 072
Website: iptbrisbane.com.au