PTE listening task guide

PTE Select Missing Word: format, scoring and practice

Select Missing Word asks you to predict the final missing word or phrase after a recording ends with a beep. The best answer follows the logic of the whole recording, not just the final few words.

Practise Select Missing Word See all PTE tasks
Task overview

Select Missing Word at a glance

Prompt20-70 seconds of audio ending with a beep
PreparationListen once
ResponseNo separate item timer
Skills scoredListening
Test-day flow

How Select Missing Word works

  1. You hear a recording lasting about 20-70 seconds.
  2. The final word or phrase is replaced by a beep.
  3. You choose the option that best completes the recording.
Scoring

What your response is scored on

Correct or incorrect

The correct selection earns one point.

No partial credit

Incorrect or blank responses receive zero.

Listening score

The task contributes to Listening performance.

Use scores as direction, not certainty

Pearson does not publish the complete scoring algorithm or raw-to-scale conversion. PrepEx feedback and 10-90 scores are practice estimates, not official PTE results.

Original example

Sample-style missing-word options

Select Missing Word Sample task
Plays once

a short trial period

a different species

an unexpected holiday

a faster internet connection

This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.

Practice method

How to improve at Select Missing Word

  1. Listen for the speaker's direction: explanation, contrast, problem-solution or conclusion.
  2. Predict the likely ending before looking closely at the options.
  3. Choose the option that completes the meaning and grammar of the final sentence.
Practice this task type

Learn the strategy here, then practise filtered Select Missing Word items in the Practice Hub.

Practise Select Missing Word Back to all PTE task types
Focused session

A 15-minute Select Missing Word practice loop

01

Preview the rules

Re-read the timing, scoring traits and common mistakes on this guide before opening practice.

02

Run focused attempts

Open the filtered Practice Hub view and complete several Select Missing Word attempts without switching task types.

03

Review and repeat

Use your activity history and target plan to decide whether to repeat this task or move to the next weak family.

Continue the loop

Stay on this task for a short focused set, then review whether it should remain your priority.

Run focused attempts Review attempts Update target plan
Avoidable errors

Common mistakes

  • Waiting until the beep before paying attention
  • Choosing an option that fits the last phrase but not the whole recording
  • Ignoring discourse markers that signal the conclusion
  • Overthinking when one option clearly completes the argument
Accuracy and source

Checked against Pearson's current format

Task format, timing and published scoring traits were checked against Pearson's current PTE Academic test-format guidance on June 23, 2026. Pearson remains the final authority and may update the test.

Primary source: Pearson PTE Academic test format.

All PTE task typesBrowse the complete 22-task library by section. How PTE scoring worksUnderstand partial credit, score traits and the 10-90 scale. Practise Select Missing WordGo directly to matching items in the PTE Practice Hub.
PTE Academic is a trademark of Pearson Education Ltd. PrepEx is independent of Pearson. PrepEx scores are practice estimates, not official Pearson scores.