PTE Write Essay
In PTE Write Essay (PTE Academic) you are given a prompt and must write a 200 to 300 word argumentative essay in 20 minutes. It is scored on content, form, development and coherence, grammar, linguistic range, vocabulary and spelling. Because the marking rewards structure so heavily, a well-organised essay with simple language outscores a brilliant but rambling one almost every time.
- Timing
- 20 minutes, 200–300 words.
- Contributes to
- Writing score
How PTE Write Essay is scored
- Content
- Form (word count)
- Development, structure and coherence
- Grammar
- Vocabulary and linguistic range
- Spelling
How to score higher in Write Essay
- 1
Stay inside 200–300 words. Outside that range, form scores zero and drags the item down with it.
- 2
Use a fixed five-paragraph shape: introduction with a clear position, two body paragraphs each with one argument and one example, and a conclusion that restates the position.
- 3
Answer the actual question asked. A beautifully written essay on a slightly different topic loses content marks.
- 4
Signpost relentlessly — 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', 'However', 'In conclusion'. Coherence is directly marked.
- 5
Leave two minutes to reread for spelling and subject–verb agreement; those are separately scored traits.
PTE Write Essay template
A clear four-paragraph structure covers every Write Essay criterion — development, coherence and form — inside the 200–300 word limit and 20 minutes.
Introduction
Paraphrase the prompt in your own words and state your clear position or thesis.
Body 1
Give your strongest reason, then support it with a specific example or explanation.
Body 2
Give a second reason or a counter-argument, again with concrete support.
Conclusion
Restate your position and summarise your two reasons — no new ideas.
Keep it 200–300 words: going over or under breaks the form criterion and caps the score. Use the structure, but write real arguments about the actual prompt.
Common mistakes in Write Essay
- Falling outside the 200–300 word range.
- Presenting both sides but never taking a clear position.
- One long unbroken block of text with no paragraphing.
- Spending so long on the introduction that the conclusion is missing.
Write Essay — frequently asked questions
How many words should a PTE essay be?
Between 200 and 300 words. Fewer than 200 or more than 300 scores zero for form, which severely damages the score for the whole item regardless of the quality of your argument.
How long do you get for the PTE essay?
20 minutes to plan, write and check a 200–300 word essay.
Is Write Essay in PTE Core?
No. Write Essay is a PTE Academic task. The PTE Core writing section uses Write Email and Summarize Written Text instead.
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