PTE Core Writing — Tasks, Practice & Scoring
PTE Core writing swaps the academic essay for workplace communication: a 25–50 word Summarize Written Text in 10 minutes and an 80–120 word email in 9 — short forms where a single word-limit slip caps the score.
The PTE Core writing task types
How PTE Core writing is scored
Both tasks are graded on content, form and language criteria — the email additionally on tone and organisation appropriate to the situation. PTE Monster grades against those criteria in seconds with the word limits enforced live, and the Core listening summary (20–30 words) trains the same compression skill from the audio side. Email and summary prompts also repeat as scenarios across Core exams, and rehearsing the recurring ones means structure and tone are already decided when the timer starts.
Frequently asked questions
What writing tasks are in PTE Core?
Summarize Written Text (25–50 words, 10 minutes) and Write Email (80–120 words, 9 minutes) — a typical exam includes one SWT and up to two emails.
How is Write Email scored?
Against content, form, organisation, tone and language criteria: covering the situation's required points, inside 80–120 words, in register-appropriate email form.
Is there an essay in PTE Core?
No — the essay is PTE Academic's task. Core tests everyday and workplace writing through the summary and email formats.
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