# PTE Answer Short Question: scoring, examples and practice PTE Answer Short Question plays a 3-9 second question and gives you 10 seconds to answer in one or a few words. Marked right or wrong, with one point for a correct response. ## The short answer Answer Short Question plays a question lasting 3 to 9 seconds, and you answer in 10 seconds with a single word or a short phrase. There are 5 to 6 in a test. Unlike the longer speaking tasks, this one is marked right or wrong: a correct response scores one point, and anything else scores nothing. ## Key facts - **Items per test:** 5-6 - **Prompt length:** 3-9 seconds - **Response time:** 10 seconds - **Skills scored:** Listening - **Scoring:** Correct or incorrect, 1 point for a correct response *Answer Short Question timing: a question of 3 to 9 seconds, then 10 seconds to answer.* | Stage | Time | | --- | --- | | Question plays | 3-9 sec | | You answer | 10 sec | *One word is usually the whole answer, and it is marked right or wrong.* Timings and scoring rules come from Pearson's task pages and the July 2025 Score Guide, checked 28 September 2026. ## How it's scored This is the only speaking task with no partial credit and no fluency or pronunciation score. The scorer is checking one thing: did you say the right word. A hesitant, quiet, accented correct answer scores the same point as a confident one. Because there are 5 to 6 of these and each is worth a point, they are cheap marks for anyone with everyday vocabulary. They are also easy to lose by overthinking: the questions test general knowledge a school leaver would have, not specialist knowledge. > Answer in one to three words. A full sentence wastes the 10 seconds and adds chances to say something wrong. ## Answer Short Question examples Worked examples written for this page. Answer each one before you open the model response: memorizing a response is scored as an irrelevant answer in the real test. **Example 1 -- everyday vocabulary** Recording (played once), transcript: > What do you call the person who treats sick animals? Prompt: Play it, then answer in one or two words. 0 seconds to prepare, then 10 seconds to speak. Model response: "A vet." (or "veterinarian") Why it scores: One word is enough. Both forms are accepted because both name the profession asked for. **Example 2 -- a definition in reverse** Recording (played once), transcript: > What is the frozen form of water called? Prompt: Play it, then answer with the noun and stop. 0 seconds to prepare, then 10 seconds to speak. Model response: "Ice." Why it scores: The question defines the word and asks you to name it. Say the noun and stop: adding "I think it is ice" burns seconds and adds nothing. **Example 3 -- when you do not know** Recording (played once), transcript: > What do we call the instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure? Prompt: Play it. If the word will not come, guess out loud rather than waiting. 0 seconds to prepare, then 10 seconds to speak. Model response: "A barometer." If it does not come, say your best single guess clearly rather than staying silent. Why it scores: There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so a guess is free. Silence guarantees zero. **Three questions is a warm-up, not practice** 20,000+ PTE practice questions across all 22 task types, 20+ full mocks and 20+ sectional tests, with instant AI scoring on speaking and writing. One full PTE mock and one sectional test per skill are free, with question-bank practice and 100 AI scoring coins a month. No card required. [Start practicing free](https://app.testmigo.com/register) ## Common mistakes | What costs marks | Do this instead | | --- | --- | | Answering in a full sentence. | Give the word. The scorer is matching your answer to an expected response, not judging your grammar. | | Staying silent when unsure. | Guess. Wrong answers are not penalized, so silence only costs you the chance. | | Answering before the question finishes. | Wait for the end. Questions often turn on the last two words. | | Treating it as a knowledge test and studying trivia. | Build everyday vocabulary by topic instead: jobs, weather, school subjects, parts of a building. | **Know the score you are aiming at** Put a target into the PTE score calculator to see the visa band it reaches, the points it is worth, and how far off you are. [Open the PTE score calculator](/pte/score-calculator) ## How to practice 1. Drill everyday nouns by category: occupations, places, tools, weather, academic subjects. 2. Practice answering in under two seconds. Speed frees attention for the next question. 3. Say a guess out loud every time you do not know, so it becomes automatic under pressure. 4. Run sets of six in a row, matching the real count. ## Common questions ### How many Answer Short Question items are in PTE? 5 to 6 in a test. ### Is there a penalty for a wrong answer in Answer Short Question? No. A correct response scores one point and anything else scores zero, so guessing costs nothing. ### Does Answer Short Question test pronunciation? No. It is scored correct or incorrect, and it counts toward your listening score. The longer speaking tasks carry pronunciation and oral fluency. **Sources** - [Pearson: PTE Academic Speaking & Writing task types (checked 28 September 2026)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/test-format/speaking-writing) - [Pearson: PTE Academic Test Taker Score Guide, July 2025 (PDF)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/ctf-assets/yqwtwibiobs4/WUcBAMkYCC9Dj5vs2HfVA/941d88d07ba7c2a5007f7ce1b18eedbf/Score_Guide__Test_Taker__-_PTE_Academic_-_July_2025__web_.pdf) [Practice Answer Short Question free](https://testmigo.com/pte)