PTE Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Listen to a 40–90 second audio clip and select 2 or 3 correct answers from 5–7 options. Like its Reading counterpart, this task uses negative marking — over-selecting costs points.

Weightage
Medium — contributes to Listening score
Time
Audio + 1.5 min selection
Frequency
1–2 questions per test

Why this task matters

Negative marking makes this task strategically tricky. The trick is to read options before audio plays — primes you to listen for specific phrases rather than process everything.

How it works on test day

  1. Question stem and options appear before audio.
  2. Audio plays once. You can take notes.
  3. Select 2 or 3 options after audio ends.
  4. Submit when confident — don't gamble for extra answers.

What scorers measure

  • Per correct answer (+1) — Each correctly selected option earns 1 point.
  • Per incorrect answer (−1) — Wrong selections subtract. Minimum total is 0.

Practise on PTEAce — free. Real Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers questions, AI scoring, instant feedback: Start MCMA Listening practice.

Templates you can adapt

Adapt these — never recite verbatim. Pearson's 2026 model flags identical, memorised openings.

Pre-listening preparation (most important step)

BEFORE the audio plays:
    1. Read the question stem carefully — know what you're listening for.
    2. Read all options. Underline (mentally) the keywords in each.
    3. Predict which 2–3 are likely — this primes your ear.
    4. Listen with options in mind, marking YES/NO/MAYBE in your notes.

Selection rule (negative-marking discipline)

Select an option ONLY if you remember a clear statement supporting it.
    
    If you're 70%+ sure → SELECT
    If you're 50/50 → DO NOT select (negative penalty cancels a sure pick)
    If unsure between 2 and 3 picks → SELECT 2
    
    Conservative selection always beats over-selection on this task.

Worked examples

Prompt
Audio: lecture on causes of urban migration, citing employment, education, healthcare, and family reunification. Question: 'Which of the following are mentioned as reasons for urban migration?' (Select all that apply.)
Strong response
Correct: 'employment opportunities', 'access to education', 'better healthcare', 'family reunification'. Trap option: 'tourism' (not mentioned).
Why it works
Four reasons explicitly stated; tourism is a plausible-sounding distractor not in the audio. Don't select what you assume — only what you heard.

Tips & tricks for 2026

  • Read all options BEFORE the audio plays. This is the single biggest time-saver.
  • Take shorthand notes during audio — keyword + Y/N marker per option.
  • Be conservative on selection. If unsure, select fewer answers.
  • Watch for 'NOT' or 'EXCEPT' in the question stem.
  • Practise on PTEAce's MCMA Listening bank to build pattern recognition.

Common mistakes

  • Selecting all options that 'sound plausible' instead of those explicitly mentioned.
  • Over-selecting and triggering negative marking penalties.
  • Not reading options before audio plays — wastes the prime listening cue.
  • Forgetting that minimum score is 0 (you can't go negative, but you can wipe out gains).

Your 4-week prep plan

  1. Week 1: Practise pre-reading options before audio. Drill 5 MCMAs daily.
  2. Week 2: Build note-taking shorthand. Aim for one-word notes per option.
  3. Week 3: Time-control — never spend more than 30 seconds choosing after audio.
  4. Week 4: Mock-test conditions. Aim for 80%+ with zero over-selection.

Notes done. Time to practise Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers.

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More Listening notes