PTE Academic has four multiple-choice tasks — single-answer and multiple-answer, in both Reading and Listening. They look interchangeable. They are not: two of them penalise wrong picks and two don’t, and playing them identically leaks marks.
4MC task types
2–3of each per test
−1per wrong pick (multi)
0penalty (single)
The thing most people miss: the split that matters is single vs multiple, not Reading vs Listening. Single-answer questions score 1/0 with no penalty — so you answer every one, always, even on a pure guess. Multiple-answer questions score +1 per correct pick and −1 per wrong pick (floored at zero for the question) — so there, you select only what you can defend. Same screen, opposite strategies.
The four tasks at a glance
Same family, two rulebooks.
Reading · Single Answer (2–3 per test): 1/0, no penalty → always answer.
Reading · Multiple Answers (2–3): +1 per correct, −1 per wrong → certain picks only.
Listening · Single Answer (2–3): 1/0, no penalty → always answer.
On the multiple-answer versions, the maths favours caution: two confident picks with one missed answer beats three picks with one wrong — the wrong one cancels a right one. When torn between two and three selections, take two.
One honest note on value: each MC question carries modest points compared with the fill-in-the-blanks passages or Write From Dictation. They matter — but they’re the place to be quick, not the place to be perfectionist. Both sections run on shared clocks; bank the MC marks efficiently and spend the saved minutes where the points are denser.
The mistakes that cost the most points
1. Ticking everything that might be true
On multiple-answer questions, optimistic picking actively destroys marks — each wrong tick cancels a right one.
✓ Fix: for every pick, point to the line in the text or audio that proves it. No proof, no tick.
2. Leaving single-answer questions blank
There is no penalty on single-answer — a blank is the only way to guarantee zero.
✓ Fix: eliminate what you can, then pick. A 50/50 guess is free expected value.
3. Reading the options before the passage (Reading MC)
Options are written to plant misreadings before you’ve formed your own understanding.
✓ Fix: skim the passage first, form the gist, then let wrong options disqualify themselves.
4. Trying to read options while the audio plays (Listening MC)
Splitting attention between reading and listening usually loses both.
✓ Fix: skim the stem and options in the seconds before the audio starts, then just listen — with the question already in mind.
How to practise it
Train the two rulebooks until switching between them is automatic.
On The PTE Master, all four multiple-choice types run exam-style with instant scoring — including the real negative marking on multiple-answer questions, so a careless tick costs you in practice instead of on test day.
Good news for free users: this task is objectively scored, so the full bank and instant marking are free — no paid plan needed. Paid packs add AI scoring on the speaking and writing tasks.
Practise every Multiple Choice type
All four variants with real scoring rules — including the −1s.
Which PTE multiple-choice questions have negative marking?
The multiple-answer versions — in both Reading and Listening: +1 per correct pick, −1 per wrong pick, floored at 0 for the question. The single-answer versions have no penalty.
Should I guess?
Single-answer: always — guessing is free. Multiple-answer: no — pick only what you can point to evidence for.
How many picks should I make on multiple-answer questions?
Usually 2–3 are correct, but pick on evidence, not a target number. When torn between two and three, take two — the downside maths favours it.
How many MC questions are in the test?
2–3 of each of the four types, so roughly 8–12 questions across Reading and Listening.
The PTE Master is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson. "PTE Academic" is a trademark of its owner. Scoring rules, question counts and skills mappings on this page are from Pearson's published Test Taker Score Guide — always check the official Pearson materials for the definitive format before test day. Last updated: 23 July 2026.