Skip to content

Part 2 · Reading · MCQ-M

Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers): Reading PTE question type

You read a passage and select every option that applies, out of four.

The prompt states how many options to choose, and choosing the stated number does not guarantee they are the right ones. This is the only Reading item carrying negative marking.

Scoring

How Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) is scored

One point per correct option selected, minus one per incorrect option, floored at zero. One wrong selection cancels a correct one, which makes this the highest-variance Reading item.

Skills scored
Reading — contributes to your Reading score
Questions per test
2–3 in Reading

Watch out

Common Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) mistakes

  1. 1Selecting an option that is accurate but not supported by the passage.
  2. 2Selecting the stated number of options purely because the prompt asked for that many.
  3. 3Leaving the fourth option unconsidered, which is where the second correct answer usually is.

Strategy

One point per correct option, minus one per wrong option, floored at zero. Every wrong selection costs a whole point.
Practice Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers)Sit a full mock

Questions

Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) questions, answered

How many Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) questions are on the PTE Academic?

A PTE Academic has 2–3 Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) items in the Reading section. Each one counts towards your Reading score.

How is Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) scored?

One point per correct option selected, minus one per incorrect option, floored at zero. One wrong selection cancels a correct one, which makes this the highest-variance Reading item.

What goes wrong most often on Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers)?

Selecting an option that is accurate but not supported by the passage.

Keep going

Related reading question types

All Reading question types · tips for all 22 types · full test format · how PTE scores work.

Scoring figures on this page follow the current PTE Academic official guide. This is an independent practice site and is not affiliated with Pearson.