PTE Summarize Written Text
In PTE Summarize Written Text you read a passage and condense it into a summary within a strict word limit. In PTE Academic the answer must be a single sentence of 5 to 75 words; in PTE Core you write 25 to 50 words. It is scored on content, form, grammar and vocabulary — and form is unforgiving: in PTE Academic, using more than one sentence or breaking the word limit sends your form score, and with it the whole item, to zero.
- Timing
- PTE Academic: 10 minutes, one single sentence of 5–75 words. PTE Core: 10 minutes, 25–50 words.
- Contributes to
- Writing and Reading scores
How PTE Summarize Written Text is scored
- Content
- Form
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
How to score higher in Summarize Written Text
- 1
In PTE Academic, write exactly one sentence. No full stop before the end. This is the single biggest cause of a zero on this task.
- 2
Join the main ideas with 'and', 'while', 'whereas', or a relative clause — that is how you fit a whole passage into one grammatical sentence.
- 3
Take the main idea from the first and last paragraphs; take supporting points from the topic sentence of each middle paragraph.
- 4
Reuse the passage's key nouns. Paraphrasing for its own sake risks losing the content words the scorer looks for.
- 5
Count your words before submitting, and check for a stray double space — spacing and punctuation errors cost marks.
PTE Summarize Written Text template
Summarize Written Text must be one single sentence — the framework is a single complex sentence that fuses the passage's main idea with its key support.
Main idea
Start with the passage's central point in a main clause.
Join the support
Attach the key supporting points with linkers — while, because, although, and, which — never a full stop.
Check the limits
Keep it between 5 and 75 words and confirm it is exactly one sentence.
A second sentence breaks form and caps the task. One well-built complex sentence that captures the whole passage is the goal.
Common mistakes in Summarize Written Text
- Writing two sentences in PTE Academic, which scores zero for form regardless of how good the content is.
- Going over or under the word limit.
- Copying whole sentences from the passage instead of summarising.
- Losing the main argument while including a minor example.
Summarize Written Text — frequently asked questions
What is the word limit for PTE Summarize Written Text?
In PTE Academic the summary must be a single sentence of between 5 and 75 words. In PTE Core it is between 25 and 50 words. Breaking the limit, or using more than one sentence in PTE Academic, scores zero for form.
How is Summarize Written Text scored?
It is scored on four traits: content (did you capture the main points), form (one sentence, within the word limit), grammar and vocabulary. It contributes to both your Writing and your Reading score.
Can I use more than one sentence in Summarize Written Text?
Not in PTE Academic — the answer must be one single sentence, and a second sentence scores zero for form. PTE Core is more forgiving on sentence count, but still enforces the 25–50 word limit.
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