PTE Writing
Practice Tests

PTE writing format: two tasks, two very different clocks

PTE Academic Writing has only two task types, which makes it the most predictable section to prepare for. What catches people out is that the two are scored on almost opposite skills, and one of them also feeds your Reading score.

The one-sentence rule in Summarize Written Text is not a style preference, it is a scored form criterion: a full stop in the middle costs you the form mark no matter how good the content is. PTE Core replaces the essay with shorter workplace tasks, including Write Email. Full method for each is in the Summarize Written Text guide and the PTE essay template guide.

PTE writing marks distribution: where the points actually come from

Neither writing task is marked as a single impression. Both are scored against fixed criteria, and that is what makes the section so trainable: you can target a criterion rather than trying to "write better".

• Summarize Written Text is scored on content, form (exactly one sentence, 5 to 75 words), grammar and vocabulary. Form is all or nothing, which is why it is the cheapest mark on the whole section to protect.
• Write Essay is scored on content, form (staying inside 200 to 300 words), development and structure, grammar, vocabulary, spelling and written discourse.
• Your Writing score is not only from this section. Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks feeds Writing, and Write from Dictation in Listening feeds Writing too, so spelling accuracy earns marks in three different places.

That last point is the one most candidates miss. If your Writing score is lower than your essays deserve, the cause is often spelling in dictation rather than anything you wrote in this section.

PTE writing tips that protect the easy marks first

• Count the sentence, not the words. In Summarize Written Text, use "which", "while" and "because" to join ideas rather than risking a second sentence. One full stop, at the end.
• Stay inside the essay word range. Form is a scored criterion, so 180 words or 320 words loses a mark that content quality cannot buy back.
• Use a repeatable structure. Because the essay is graded against fixed criteria rather than originality, a template that reliably produces the structure, connectors and length is worth more than a fresh approach each time. That is what the essay template guide is for.
• Spell-check is not available, so build the habit. Spelling is an enabling skill that feeds several task scores at once.
• Leave two minutes to re-read. Most lost grammar marks are typing slips, not knowledge gaps.

PTE writing FAQ