PTE Writing: tasks, word limits and scoring
There is no standalone Writing section. The two writing tasks live inside Part 1, Speaking and Writing. Here is how they are scored, and where the free marks are.
Writing section format
| Where Writing lives | Part 1, Speaking & Writing (76 to 84 minutes combined). There is no separate Writing timer. |
| Dedicated writing tasks | 2: Summarize Written Text and Write Essay |
| Summarize Written Text | 10 minutes, one sentence of 5 to 75 words |
| Write Essay | 20 minutes, 200 to 300 words |
| Also feeds Writing | Summarize Spoken Text and Write from Dictation (both in Listening) |
Writing practice tests
Each test mirrors the writing section on the current PTE Academic format: 3 tasks, about 25 min, scored on the official 10 to 90 scale. All 5 tests are free.
Writing Test 1
Mixed academic topics across every item, like the real exam.
3 tasks · ~25 min · scored 10–90
Writing Test 2
Mixed academic topics across every item, like the real exam.
3 tasks · ~25 min · scored 10–90
Writing Test 3
Mixed academic topics across every item, like the real exam.
3 tasks · ~25 min · scored 10–90
Writing Test 4
Mixed academic topics across every item, like the real exam.
3 tasks · ~25 min · scored 10–90
Writing Test 5
Mixed academic topics across every item, like the real exam.
3 tasks · ~25 min · scored 10–90
PTE Academic Writing task types
Every writing task on the current Academic format. Click any one to start practising it.
How Writing is scored
Form is a zero-gate, and it is the most common avoidable failure. An essay under 120 or over 380 words scores zero on every trait. Summarize Written Text must be exactly one sentence within 5 to 75 words, or it scores zero. Hitting form is free points.
Summarize Written Text is scored on Content, Form, Grammar and Vocabulary. Write Essay is scored on Content, Form, Development, Structure and Coherence, Grammar, General Linguistic Range, Vocabulary Range and Spelling. On the open tasks a human examiner also reviews content alongside the AI.
Your Writing score is not built only by these two tasks. Summarize Spoken Text and Write from Dictation (both in the Listening section) feed Writing too, so treat them as writing practice as well.
Top tip: Form is free points: respect the word count and the single-sentence rule on Summarize Written Text exactly. More Writing tips →
Browse all Writing questions
Practise any writing task type one question at a time, untimed.
Writing templates
Reusable skeletons for Write Essay and Summarise Written Text — protect your Form marks with the framework, fill it with real content from the actual prompt.
Section strategy
Claim the free form marks first
Essay 200 to 300 words, never under 120 or over 380. Summarize Written Text must be a single sentence of 5 to 75 words. Check your word count before submitting, because missing form zeroes the task.
Keep Summarize Written Text to one sentence
Join ideas with because, which, while or although. Never two sentences, never bullet points. A second full stop can zero you.
Plan the essay's four parts, then write to length
Introduction, two developed body paragraphs, conclusion. Coherence and linguistic range are scored, so develop ideas rather than padding.
Mine the Listening tasks for Writing marks
Write from Dictation and Summarize Spoken Text both feed your Writing score, so practising them pays twice.
Common mistakes
- Writing the essay under 120 or over 380 words, which zeroes the whole task.
- Writing Summarize Written Text as two or more sentences, or outside 5 to 75 words.
- Using bullet points or fragments in Summarize Written Text.
- Padding the essay to hit a word count instead of developing the argument.
- Spelling errors, which are a scored trait in both the essay and Summarize Spoken Text.
- Assuming only the two writing tasks build the Writing score, ignoring the Listening cross-feed.
Writing section FAQ
Two dedicated tasks, Summarize Written Text and Write Essay, both inside the Speaking and Writing part. Two Listening tasks also contribute to the Writing score.
200 to 300 words. Under 120 or over 380 words scores zero on the whole essay.
20 minutes for the essay and 10 minutes for Summarize Written Text.
Both. AI scores everything, and Summarize Written Text, Write Essay and Summarize Spoken Text also get a human content review.
Both. It is scored on Reading and Writing.
Summarize Written Text: Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary. Write Essay: Content, Form, Development, Structure and Coherence, Grammar, General Linguistic Range, Vocabulary Range, Spelling.
Practice the other sections
Full mock tests →Reach your target PTE score faster.
Free PTE mock tests with AI scoring for speaking and writing. Per-skill score reports and a plan to reach 65, 79 or 90.
Take a free AI-scored mock test