PTE Highlight Correct Summary: 7 Tips to Win High Scores!

When practicing for the PTE test, you will encounter a section called the Highlight Correct Summary task.

This is a part of the PTE listening test. Many people get stuck with this task because of its harsh challenge. 

In this blog by PTE Magic, we will dip into the details of the Highlight Correct Summary task, offering tips and strategies to help you achieve a high score.

So, if you’re preparing for PTE Academic and find it difficult to cope with, let’s keep reading the below.

Related:

• PTE online courses for beginners
• Everything you need to know about the PTE test
• PTE exam preparation guide for higher scores

What is Highlight Correct Summary? 

The Highlight Correct Summary task is part of the PTE listening test.

In this task, you are presented with a 30 to 90-second audio recording or video, typically a short information audio, conversation, or presentation. Along with it is a list of possible summaries. Your task is to choose the most suitable one for the recording.

This task serves to evaluate your listening and comprehension skills, as well as your ability to identify key information and distinguish it from less relevant details. Additionally, it also assesses your ability to summarize complex information concisely.

In the PTE listening section, you can encounter this question 2-3 times. With every right option, you can achieve one point. You will not lose any points when choosing a wrong answer. Therefore, even if you are not sure about the option, you can choose randomly.

7 tips to get a high score in the Highlight Correct Summary task 

Highlight Correct Summary task is a hard section. If you are getting stuck with this part, let’s discover below useful tips to get a better score.

Tip 1: Listen actively

To master the Highlight Correct Summary task, active listening is key. This term means that you not only hear the recording but also listen to understand its overall meaning.

In order to do this, you should pay close attention to the spoken content, making mental notes of the main ideas, supporting details, and the speaker’s tone and emphasis.

You can not let yourself be distracted for any second. Nor you can lose track, don’t know what the recording is mentioning. As a result, you will not understand the overall meaning of the audio and choose the wrong option.

Actively engage with the material, and you’ll be better equipped to select the correct summary.

Tip 2: Identify key information

You have about 8 seconds before the audio has played. You should use this time to highlight important keywords in options. By this means, you can identify the difference in every answer and quickly grasp its meaning. It is easier for the test-takers to recognize the correct answer later.

When listening to the audio, you can notice the information mentioned in the answer options to find out the correct one.

Tip 3: Eliminate irrelevant options

Not all options provided are related to the recording. Sometimes, it can provide some irrelevant hints to distract you.

You should try to recognize which one is irrelevant. If an option includes information that was not mentioned in the audio or seems unrelated to the main topic, eliminate it. This will help you find out the correct answers easier.

Tip 4: Enrich your vocabulary range

Vocabulary is a key for all the tests, including the listening section. Without a wide range of vocabulary, you will not understand the meaning of the recording thoroughly. It might be hard to choose the correct one.

In addition, in this task, you have to choose the most concise answer. It means that the right option is not only to transfer the meaning of the audio but also is the closest one. 

If you lack vocabulary, you might not understand the differences between each other, leading to choosing the wrong option.

Tip 5: Practice industriously

Like any other skills, your listening and summary-taking abilities can be improved with practice. You can utilize online resources, take mock tests, or join a PTE preparation course to become familiar with the task’s format and content diversity.

PTE Magic provides such a website/app to help test-takers get acquainted with the actual test. Through this simulation website, you can take a mock test, and practice regularly under time pressure as the actual test.

This is the best method to approach the test.

Another way you can apply to improve performance is to write a summary for every short passage. But it is quite hard and not close to the test’s format. Nevertheless, it is more effective in improving your overall listening, summary as well as writing skills.

No matter which way you choose, it absolutely can upgrade your score. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.

Tip 6: Keep calm under limited time

The mental factor is a key point to win any test. It is unavoidable to get pressure when taking an important test. However, you should keep your mind stable. In order to overcome it, you can try to manage time when preparing.

Time management is crucial in PTE Academic, as you have limited time for each task. 

While practicing, work on your time management skills to ensure you can complete the Highlight Correct Summary task within the allocated time without feeling rushed.

Tip 7: Consider the tone

When listening to the audio, besides content, you should notice to speaker’s intonation. Any changes in the voice can be a hint for test-takers to track.

Otherwise, it is certain that the tone of the summary should match the tone of the audio content. If the speaker was enthusiastic, the summary should reflect that emotion as well.

Understanding the speaker’s attitude can help you select the most appropriate summary.

Conclusion

In the PTE Academic test, the Highlight Correct Summary task might appear daunting, but with practice and the right strategies, it can be conquered. 

By following the tips and techniques outlined in this blog, you can boost your chances of achieving a high score in the Highlight Correct Summary task.

Don’t forget to access PTE Magic to try our simulation test. It will help you prepare for the actual test better.

Last updated on 01/11/2023

Moni PTE Magic

My name is Moni, and I am a seasoned PTE teacher with over 6 years of experience. I have helped thousands of students overcome their struggles and achieve their desired scores. My passion for teaching and dedication to my student’s success drives me to continually improve my teaching methods and provide the best possible support. Join me on this journey toward PTE success!