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LanguageCert Academic Listening

LanguageCert Listening Practice: Format, Question Types, and How to Prepare

26 January, 2026 11 Min ReadBy Bhrat Brij
Summarise with AI ChatGPT Grok Perplexity
blog-post
Listening Guide
  • Overview
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
  • Part 4
On this page DEBUG
  • Overview of the LanguageCert Academic Listening Section
  • Listening Part 1: Short Dialogues (Questions 1 to 7)
    • What This Part Tests
    • How to Approach Part 1
    • Common Mistakes
  • Listening Part 2: Academic Conversations (Questions 8 to 17)
    • What This Part Tests
    • How to Approach Part 2
    • Common Mistakes
  • Listening Part 3: Lecture Note Completion (Questions 18 to 24)
    • What This Part Tests
    • How to Approach Part 3
    • Common Mistakes
  • Listening Part 4: Extended Discussion or Podcast (Questions 25 to 30)
    • What This Part Tests
    • How to Approach Part 4
    • Common Mistakes
  • How It All Connects
  • Global Time Management for Listening
  • Score Requirements for Australian PR
  • How Marvel Edu Helps with LanguageCert Listening Practice
  • Final Listening Practice Checklist
  • Quick Reference
  • Test Your Knowledge
  • Quick Review

The LanguageCert Academic Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken English in academic contexts. With 40 minutes to answer 30 questions across four distinct parts, this section requires both comprehension skills and smart time management. The good news? Every audio clip plays twice, giving you a genuine second chance to catch details you missed the first time.

I remember coaching a student who had failed PTE Listening twice because he could not keep up with the single playback. When he switched to LanguageCert, the double playback changed everything. He went from anxious to confident, knowing he would hear each recording again.

This guide breaks down exactly what each part tests, how the questions work, and which strategies actually help on test day.

Overview of the LanguageCert Academic Listening Section

Before diving into individual parts, here is the structure you will encounter:

AspectDetails
Total Duration40 minutes
Total Questions30
Number of Parts4
Audio PlaybackTwice for all parts
NavigationCannot return after moving to Writing

The Listening section runs continuously. You will move through Parts 1 to 4 in sequence. A 15 minute warning appears before time runs out, and once you proceed to the Writing section, you cannot go back to Listening or Reading.

This structure matters for your preparation. Unlike exams where audio plays once and you must capture everything immediately, LanguageCert gives you breathing room. Use the first playback to understand the overall message. Use the second to verify your answers and fill any gaps.

Key Advantage: The double playback means you should not panic if you miss something. Stay calm, note what you caught, and wait for the repeat.

Try a Sample Audio

Listen to exam-style audio and test your comprehension.

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Listening Part 1: Short Dialogues (Questions 1 to 7)

Part 1 presents seven short, unfinished conversations. Your task is to choose the correct completion from three options.

Format DetailValue
Questions7
Options per Question3
TypeUnfinished dialogues
Audio PlaybackTwice

What This Part Tests

These are not vocabulary tests. Part 1 checks whether you understand speaker intention and conversational context. The dialogues are short and the language is straightforward, but you need to grasp what the speaker actually means, not just what words they use.

How to Approach Part 1

Before the audio starts, read through the three options. Try to predict what kind of response would make sense. When the dialogue plays, focus on the tone and purpose. Is the speaker agreeing, disagreeing, asking for clarification, or making a suggestion?

On the first playback, get the general meaning. On the second, confirm your choice. If you are still unsure after both plays, make your best guess and move on. These are short questions, and spending too long on one will hurt you later.

Common Mistakes

Students often pick answers that sound correct in isolation but do not fit the conversation flow. Always ask: does this response actually answer what the first speaker said?

Test Your Listening

Take a mock listening section with real exam conditions.

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Listening Part 2: Academic Conversations (Questions 8 to 17)

Part 2 contains five longer conversations set in academic contexts, such as a student talking to a professor or an administrator explaining a process. Each conversation has two questions, giving you 10 questions total.

Format DetailValue
Questions10
Conversations5
Questions per Conversation2
Options per Question3
Audio PlaybackTwice

What This Part Tests

You need to track the flow of a discussion. The questions often ask about opinions, reasons, and outcomes. Unlike Part 1, where dialogues are brief, Part 2 requires sustained attention across longer exchanges.

How to Approach Part 2

Read both questions before the audio starts. Knowing what you are listening for helps you focus. Identify who is speaking (student, lecturer, administrator) and what role each person plays in the conversation.

On the first playback, follow the structure. Who wants what? What is the problem or topic? On the second playback, verify the specific details the questions ask about.

Common Mistakes

Many test takers lose focus between Question 1 and Question 2 of the same conversation. They answer the first question, relax, and miss key information for the second. Stay engaged throughout.

Another mistake is chasing exact wording. The correct answer often paraphrases what the speaker said rather than repeating it word for word.

LanguageCert Listening double playback strategy

Listening Part 3: Lecture Note Completion (Questions 18 to 24)

Part 3 is different from the multiple choice format of Parts 1 and 2. You will hear an academic presentation or lecture and complete a notepad by filling in seven gaps. Each gap requires one to three words.

Format DetailValue
Questions7 gaps
Word Limit1 to 3 words per gap
Preparation Time30 seconds
Audio PlaybackTwice

What This Part Tests

Part 3 tests your ability to extract key information from structured academic speech. You are not summarising or paraphrasing. You are writing exactly what you hear, in the correct place.

How to Approach Part 3

You get 30 seconds to look at the notepad before the audio starts. Use this time to scan the gaps and predict what type of word might fit. Is it a noun, a number, a date, a name?

During the first playback, focus on understanding the lecture structure. Where does the speaker discuss topic A versus topic B? Note what you can, but do not stress if you miss some gaps.

The second playback is your chance to fill in missing answers and check spelling. Write only what you hear. Do not paraphrase or add words.

Common Mistakes

Writing too much is a frequent error. If the gap needs one to three words and you write a full sentence, you will lose marks. Another mistake is changing what you heard to make it sound better. Write the exact words from the audio.

Practice All Audios

Access our full listening library with transcripts and answers.

See Questions

Listening Part 4: Extended Discussion or Podcast (Questions 25 to 30)

Part 4 features a longer audio, typically a podcast discussion or group conversation on an academic topic. You will answer six multiple choice questions, each with three options.

Format DetailValue
Questions6
Options per Question3
Preparation Time1 minute
Audio PlaybackTwice

What This Part Tests

With multiple speakers, Part 4 checks whether you can track different viewpoints. Questions often focus on attitudes, agreements, and contrasts between speakers. You need to identify who said what and what position each person holds.

How to Approach Part 4

You get a full minute to read the questions before the audio starts. Use every second. Underline keywords in the questions. Note what you are listening for: does the question ask about Speaker A’s opinion, Speaker B’s reason, or a point of agreement?

On the first playback, track speaker opinions rather than every detail. On the second, use elimination. Cross out options you know are wrong and confirm your final choice.

Common Mistakes

The extended length can cause mental fatigue. Students sometimes tune out after the first few questions, missing key information for the final ones. Pace yourself. Stay focused through the entire recording.

How It All Connects

LanguageCert Academic Listening Exam
Click the colored dots to expand/collapse branches

Global Time Management for Listening

You have 40 minutes for 30 questions. Here is how to allocate your attention:

PartQuestionsSuggested Focus
Part 17Quick responses, do not overthink
Part 210Track conversation flow, read both questions beforehand
Part 37Use prep time, write exact words
Part 46Use full prep minute, track multiple speakers

The double playback is your safety net. If you miss something on the first play, you will hear it again. This means you should not freeze or panic. Keep moving.

Parts 3 and 4 are longer and more demanding. If you find yourself getting tired, take a breath between parts. You cannot pause the audio, but you can mentally reset during the brief gaps.

Pro Tip: The 15 minute warning is your signal to wrap up any remaining questions and prepare to transition to Writing.

Score Requirements for Australian PR

If you are taking LanguageCert for Australian immigration, here are the Listening scores you need:

LevelListening ScorePR Points
Competent570
Proficient6710
Superior8020

The Competent level meets the minimum English requirement for most skilled visas but does not add points. Proficient adds 10 points, and Superior adds 20 points to your Expression of Interest.

How Marvel Edu Helps with LanguageCert Listening Practice

Struggling to simulate real exam conditions? Marvel Edu provides:

FeatureBenefit
Audio plays exactly twiceMatches real exam rules
Part-wise practice modeFocus on Parts 1, 2, 3, or 4 individually
Timed full simulationsNavigation locks after Listening, just like the exam
Mistake analysis by question typeSee which part needs more work

Our platform replicates the actual test experience. You will hear each audio twice, face the same time pressure, and see your results broken down by part.

Final Listening Practice Checklist

Before your test, confirm you have covered these areas:

  • Understand how all 4 parts work
  • Practiced note taking for Part 3 gap fill
  • Built attention stamina for Part 4 extended audio
  • Simulated the full Listening to Writing transition
  • Used the double playback strategically

Quick Reference

LanguageCert Listening Practice Infographic

Test Your Knowledge

Quick Quiz
1 / 5

What is the primary benefit of the audio playback policy in the LanguageCert Academic Listening section?

What is the specific requirement for the notepad completion task in Listening Part 3?

Which score is required for the 'Superior' level to gain 20 points for Australian PR?

How should a candidate use the preparation time provided before Listening Part 4?

In Part 1, what is the candidate required to evaluate to choose the best response?

Quiz Complete!

You scored 0 out of 5

Quick Review

Practice Cards
1 / 10
Press Space to flip, ← → to navigate
Question

What is the total duration of the LanguageCert Academic Listening section?

Answer

40 minutes.

Question

How many total questions are in the LanguageCert Academic Listening exam?

Answer

30 questions.

Question

How many distinct parts make up the Listening section?

Answer

4 parts.

Question

What is the navigational restriction once a candidate moves to the Writing section?

Answer

You cannot return to Listening or Reading once you move to Writing.

Question

How many multiple-choice options are provided for each question in Part 1?

Answer

3 options per question.

Question

What is the format of Listening Part 2?

Answer

5 academic conversations with 2 questions each.

Question

What is the relationship between correct answers and audio wording in Part 2?

Answer

Correct answers often paraphrase what was said rather than repeating word-for-word.

Question

How should candidates use the 30-second preparation time in Part 3?

Answer

Scan the gaps and predict what type of word might fit (noun, number, date, name).

Question

What does Part 4 specifically check regarding multiple speakers?

Answer

Whether you can track different viewpoints and identify who said what.

Question

How can you manage mental fatigue between listening parts?

Answer

Take a breath and mentally reset during the brief gaps between recordings.

Cards studied: 0 / 10

Frequently Asked Questions

The audio plays twice for every part of the LanguageCert Academic Listening section. This is a significant advantage compared to PTE Academic, where audio plays only once.

The Listening section is 40 minutes long and contains 30 questions across 4 parts. Once you move to the Writing section, you cannot return to Listening.

Part 1: Short dialogues (7 questions). Part 2: Academic conversations (10 questions). Part 3: Lecture note completion (7 gaps). Part 4: Podcast or group discussion (6 questions).

Yes, you can review and change your answers within the Listening section. However, once you move to Writing, you cannot return to Listening or Reading.

For Competent English: Listening 57. For Proficient (10 points): Listening 67. For Superior (20 points): Listening 80.

Many test takers find it more manageable because the audio plays twice, giving you a second chance to catch details. PTE audio plays only once, which adds pressure.

Improve Your Note-Taking

Watch expert strategies for catching key details.

See Course
Overview
2 Part 1
3 Part 2
4 Part 3
5 Part 4
  • Overview: All Listening Parts
  • Part 1: Short Dialogues 7Q · 7 marks
  • Part 2: Long Conversation 10Q · 10 marks
  • Part 3: Monologue 7Q · 7 marks
  • Part 4: Extended Listening 6Q · 6 marks
30 questions 40 minutes
Next Part 1
author image

Bhrat Brij

Bhrat Brij is the founder of Marvel Edu and a 90-All Master Trainer with years of experience helping students achieve their PTE goals. His one-to-one personalized coaching approach has helped hundreds of students score 79+ and Superior English (90) on their PTE exams. He specializes in Speaking and Listening modules, developing proven strategies that work for test takers at all levels.

View all posts by Bhrat Brij

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