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PTE Writing: Summarize Written Text and Essay mistakes that cost marks

In PTE Writing, some mistakes do not just cost you a few marks. They can cost you all of them. Here is what to watch.

By Teacher J · Updated September 2026

PTE Writing marks come from several tasks, but two are pure writing: Summarize Written Text, where you sum up a passage in one sentence, and the Essay. Both have form rules. Break them and the other scores for that answer can go to zero, however good your English is.

Summarize Written Text: one sentence, 5 to 75 wordsAim for 25 to 50 words Essay: 200 to 300 wordsStay inside this range
Stay inside the form rules and the rest of your marks are safe.

Summarize Written Text: one sentence only

Look at this

Summarize a passage about remote work in one sentence.

Remote work has grown quickly. It saves travel time but it can make people feel alone.Two sentences. Form fails, and the rest of the score for this answer is lost.
Although remote work has grown quickly because it saves travel time, it can leave employees feeling isolated from their colleagues.One full sentence, with the main idea and the key contrast. That is the task.

The Essay: answer the exact question

Take a look

Essay prompt: Should governments spend more on public transport than on roads?

Transport is very important in modern life. There are many kinds of transport, such as cars, buses, trains and planes...The first paragraph talks about transport in general. The question is about spending, and the view is missing.
I believe governments should spend more on public transport, because it moves more people for less money and causes less pollution.Your position in the first paragraph, using the words of the question.

Your own words, not a template

Many students use one memorised essay frame for every prompt. When the frame is longer than the actual ideas, the content score is low. Keep a simple structure, but fill it with ideas about this prompt, explained with a real example. Be yourself on the page.

Before you press Next

  1. Summarize Written Text: count your full stops. There must be one.
  2. Essay: check you are between 200 and 300 words.
  3. Your position appears in the first paragraph and again at the end.
  4. Each body paragraph has one idea, explained, with an example.
  5. Read it once for spelling. Choose one spelling style, British or American, and keep it.
Sources

Exam rules change. Always check with the exam provider and the organisation you are applying to.

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