PTE Academic Writing Guide
Task types, scoring criteria, and strategies to excel in the writing section.
Writing Overview
Pearson Test of English Academic is fully AI-scored, accepted by thousands of institutions and immigration bodies including Australian immigration (DIBP), New Zealand, and UK Skilled Worker visas. Known for fast results (often within 5 business days) and computerized delivery.
Writing Tasks
Write Essay
200–300 word argumentative essay in 20 minutes.
Tips for this task
- ✓Structure: intro (restate + your view) → body 1 → body 2 → conclusion
- ✓Use formal academic vocabulary and linking phrases
- ✓AI scoring rewards vocabulary range, coherence, and grammatical accuracy
Summarize Written Text
One complex sentence (5–75 words) summarizing a passage.
Tips for this task
- ✓Must be ONE sentence — use 'which', 'while', 'although' to combine clauses
- ✓Include the main idea and the most important supporting point
High-Score Strategies
- 1.PTE is AI-scored — speaking tone, pace, and pronunciation matter more than accent.
- 2.Repeat Sentence is high-impact: practice immediately repeating sentences from podcasts.
- 3.Describe Image: practice with a template — 'The [chart type] illustrates [subject] [time period]...'
- 4.Write From Dictation contributes to both Reading and Listening scores — highest ROI practice.
- 5.Use E2Language or Pearson's official PTE Practice App for scored practice tests.
- 6.Focus on Enabling Skills where you're weakest — spelling and vocabulary impact multiple question types.