PTE Writing Practice: Proven Tips & Format to High Scores

The PTE Writing section is critical for those aspiring to study or work in English-speaking countries.

It reflects their ability to use English effectively in both academic and professional environments. Moreover, it can significantly impact your chances of success in various visa applications.

Writing is an art. Mastering writing skills can be a game-changer for a competitive edge in the PTE exam.

This post will give you a better understanding of the PTE Writing section and help you develop the necessary skills to express your ideas convincingly, eloquently, and confidently.

So, let’s embark on this journey! 

(Read our Vietnamese version here)

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PTE writing format

The PTE Writing is the second part of the Speaking section. Once you complete the Speaking tasks, you will be directed to the Writing test. PTE Writing assesses a candidate’s aptitude for conveying thoughts, opinions, and information through well-structured essays.

The PTE writing section consists of the following two main tasks.

Summarize Written Text

You must summarize a passage of the text in a complete, single sentence of no more than 75 words. Comprehension is key in this task. You need to write concisely while conveying the core of the topic and the primary points.

Tips for Summarize Written Text

• Identify key concepts: Read the passage carefully and identify the central theme and main points. Focus on the most important information.
• Note keywords: Highlight or underline essential keywords best determining the content. Use these keywords in your summary.
• Stick to word limit: Be concise and to the point. Focus on the facts. Avoid including lengthy explanations, inferences, or examples.
• Use complex sentences: Incorporate complex sentence structures to show off your linguistic skills, but ensure they are grammatically correct.
• Use your voice: Use your own words by thinking of synonyms and paraphrasing. Use the third person. Avoid using “I,” “Me,” or “We”.
• Be mindful of time: Give yourself enough time to produce a summary with an effective structure: Read, plan, write, and check.

Essay

You have 20 minutes to create an argumentative essay of 200–300 words. This task will assess your grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and writing skills.

Tips for Essay

• Understand the prompt: Do not start writing immediately. Take time to carefully read the essay question and identify the type of essay: opinion/balanced argument/problem and solution.
• Plan your writing: Always outline your essay. Organizing your ideas logically will help you save time and earn more points for the PTE Written Discourse criteria.
• Follow proper essay structure: Your essay should include a straightforward introduction, well-developed body paragraphs with supporting ideas, and a concise conclusion
• Stick to the topic: Stay focused on the given topic and avoid off-topic or unnecessary information.
• Give examples and evidence: Support your arguments with relevant examples, research, statistics, or personal experiences in the body paragraphs to strengthen your essay.
• Maintain balance in arguments: When writing essays, present a balanced viewpoint, considering both sides of an argument, especially in opinion-based prompts.
• Diversify your language: Try to use synonyms to avoid repetition of words. Ensure you use words correctly.
• Be concise and clear: Convey your ideas concisely and coherently. Avoid confusing sentences.
• Manage time wisely: Monitor the time during the exam. Allocate sufficient time for each part of your essay.
• Proofread your essay: Give yourself some time to review and make any necessary corrections before submitting.

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• PTE tips and tricks for a 79+ score

PTE Writing scoring guidelines

Scores in the PTE Writing section are determined by automated scoring algorithms assessing your responses based on predefined linguistic features and proficiency indicators. 

The scoring system will consider the following factors of the write-up in the grading process. 

• Development structure
• Coherence of the written content
• The length of responses
• General linguistic range
• Grammar usage and mechanics
• Vocabulary range
• Spelling.

12 PTE writing practice tips for better scores

Here are 12 practical PTE writing tips to boost your scores:

Tip 1: Follow the format

Familiarize yourself with the standard essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion) and summary sentence format (single sentence).

Tip 2: Address all aspects of the prompt

Ensure you fully address all parts of the essay or summary prompt to maximize your score.

Tip 3: Keep sentences simple

Try to limit your use of lengthy, complex sentences. Ensure all of your phrases are clear and easy to understand.

Tip 4: Give a logical sequence to your ideas

In both essay and summary tasks, always stay on the topic and deliver your answer in a logical sequence.  You should repeat the text’s main points many times in your writing.

When starting with a logical explanation, always come to a reasonable conclusion about it. Your response should be specific and consistent.

Tip 5: Do not use jargon

Avoid using slang words in daily life at all costs. Remember that PTE writing requires an academic formal tone.

Tip 6: Enhance your vocabulary

A strong vocabulary is one of the keys to success in PTE writing tasks. Therefore, you should equip yourself with an excellent vocabulary and proper use to achieve higher scores in PTE.

You can increase your vocabulary through English articles, magazines, or newspapers. However, don’t leave your new words alone. Do some examples when encountering them for better memorization.

Tip 7: Grammar practice

Focus on standard grammar rules, sentence structures, and verb tenses. Work on eliminating grammatical errors in your writing.

Tip 9: Learn from mistakes

Identify your weak points in writing. Find out which mistakes you frequently make and try to correct them by practicing.

Tip 8: Ensure coherence and cohesion

Ensure your writing flows logically and coherently. Use transitional phrases to connect ideas and create a smooth, well-structured response.

Tip 10: Practice with different topics

Challenge yourself with diverse essay and summary topics to broaden your knowledge base and adaptability.

Tip 11: Seek advice from a PTE coach

Consider getting feedback from a qualified English language tutor or teacher to receive personalized guidance.

Tip 12: Practice, practice, practice

Mastering writing skills takes time and effort. You need to put up enough practice to get your dream score.

Conclusion

Have you got any additional helpful PTE writing tips? Kindly share them with us and our fellow students!

Remember that practice and perseverance are key to improving your writing skills. With dedication and effort, you will confidently conquer the PTE writing challenge and excel in expressing your ideas with flair.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further help with your PTE writing. Best of luck!