From Preparation to Perfection: Scoring 79+ in PTE Writing

Do you believe scoring 79+ on the PTE (Pearson Test of English) is challenging? While it’s not a walk in the park, it’s certainly more achievable than many people think. With the right strategy and consistent practice, securing a high score is within your reach. Understanding how the test evaluates your performance allows you to focus your practice and improve your results. In this article, I’ll share expert tips and tricks to help you master PTE writing and manage it effectively.

Understand the Scoring System to Focus Your Practice

If you’re here to learn about achieving a 79+ score in PTE, you likely know there are various types of PTE exams—Academic, Core, UKVI, Home, etc. This article focuses on PTE Academic, the most widely recognized version of the test.

PTE Academic assesses your abilities through 20 different question types across four key communication skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each skill is scored on a scale of 10 to 90, with an overall score calculated based on the individual skill scores. Note that the overall score is not an average of the four skills.

This article will specifically focus on PTE writing skills. For a broader overview of all skills, check out the guide: “What is the PTE Exam?”

As of now, the writing section’s 90 points are evaluated across these four criteria:

  1. Content: The relevance of your response to the given prompt.
  2. Form: How well your response adheres to structure and word count requirements.
  3. Language: Assesses your vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.
  4. General Linguistic Range: Evaluates your overall language use and the coherency of your response.

Your writing skills are judged based on these four aspects. Therefore, focusing on them is essential to excel in the writing section.

The writing module is further divided into two main tasks:

  • Summarize Written Text
  • Essay Writing

In the following sections, I’ll dive deeper into strategies for mastering these tasks to boost your PTE writing score.

Time Management for Each Section

The PTE writing section may seem daunting, given that you only have 30 minutes to complete it—assuming you get one of each question type. Here’s how that time is generally allocated:

  • Summarize Written Text: 10 minutes for one summary (5–75 words)
  • Essay Writing: 20 minutes for one essay (200–300 words)

While this might feel overwhelming, many test-takers successfully score 79+ by managing their time effectively. Here’s how you can allocate your time efficiently:

For the Summary Task

  • Reading the Passage → 2 minutes
  • Planning Your Sentence → 1 minute
  • Writing the Summary → 5 minutes
  • Reviewing Your Response → 2 minutes

The PTE interface includes a timer, making it easier to keep track of your progress.

For the Essay Task

  • Understanding the Topic → 2 minutes
  • Planning Your Essay → 3 minutes
  • Writing the Essay → 12 minutes
  • Reviewing Your Work → 3 minutes

Key Tips

Writing an essay of 200–300 words in just 12 minutes may seem challenging, but with practice, it’s achievable. The key lies in improving your typing speed. Since the PTE is an online exam, focus on typing rather than handwriting.

  • Aim for a typing speed of at least 30 words per minute.
  • If you can type 30 words in a minute, you’ll finish a 300-word essay in 10 minutes, leaving you with 2 minutes to review your response.

To improve your typing speed, practice using tools like Typing Master or similar software. Consistent practice will help you master this section and use your time effectively.

Tips and Tricks to Score 79+ in PTE Writing

Scoring 79+ on the PTE (Pearson Test of English) might seem challenging, but it’s far from impossible. With the right strategy and consistent practice, you can achieve this goal. The key lies in understanding how the scoring system works, managing your time effectively, and focusing on what truly matters.

Here’s a guide to help you ace the PTE Writing section.

1. Keep It Simple and Concise

  • Avoid overcomplicating sentences with advanced vocabulary or complex structures. The scoring is based on clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
  • For summaries, aim for precise responses, while for essays, keep paragraphs focused on one idea each.
  • Stick to the 200–300 word limit for essays. Writing more than 300 words increases the risk of mistakes, while writing fewer than 120 words will score a zero.

2. Plan Before You Write

  • Use the fixed order of tasks in the PTE Writing section to your advantage:
    • For Summarize Written Text, spend:
      • 2 minutes understanding the passage.
      • 1 minute noting key points.
      • 5 minutes writing a concise one-sentence summary.
      • 2 minutes reviewing your response.
    • For Essay Writing, allocate:
      • 2 minutes to understand the topic.
      • 3 minutes to outline the essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion).
      • 12 minutes to write.
      • 3 minutes to proofread.

Planning ensures clarity and coherence in your responses.

3. Write Relevant Summaries

  • Aim for one sentence (5–75 words) that captures the essence of the passage.
  • Focus on key points and avoid unnecessary details.
  • Enhance your vocabulary to condense lengthy For example:
    • Instead of “He is so important for the organization that without him, we cannot function,” write, “He is irreplaceable in the organization”

4. Structure Your Essay Effectively

  • Stick to the standard essay format:
    • Introduction: Briefly state your argument.
    • Body paragraphs: Expand on your points, one per paragraph.
    • Conclusion: Summarize your argument effectively.
  • Keep each paragraph clear and purposeful, avoiding unnecessary elaboration.

5. Showcase a Rich Vocabulary

  • Use a range of vocabulary to demonstrate your linguistic For instance:
    • Replace good with beneficial or  advantageous.
    • Replace important with crucial or essential.
  • Avoid obscure words; focus on appropriate and relevant language.

6. Avoid Grammatical Errors

  • Master key grammatical rules such as:
    • Subject-verb agreement
    • Verb tense consistency
    • Punctuation
    • Use of articles
  • Write simple, error-free sentences to maintain accuracy.

7. Ensure Smooth Transitions

  • Use connective words for better readability:
    • To add information: furthermore, moreover, additionally.
    • To contrast: however, nevertheless, on the contrary.
    • To give examples: for instance, for example.
    • To conclude: in conclusion, to summarize.

8. Practice Regularly

  • Make daily practice a habit:
    • Summarize passages and write essays consistently.
    • Use tools like a paragraph generator or an essay extender to refine your skills.
    • Improve your typing speed to ensure you can write efficiently during the exam.

9. Proofread Before Submission

  • Dedicate 2–3 minutes to review your work:
    • Check for relevance, grammar, and word choice.
    • Ensure smooth sentence flow and overall coherence.
    • Correct any overlooked mistakes to submit your best work.

Achieving 79+ in PTE Writing is a realistic goal with the right preparation. Focus on understanding the scoring criteria, managing your time wisely, and applying these tips during practice. Remember, confidence grows with consistent effort, so start practicing today and make these strategies a natural part of your exam routine. Best of luck on your PTE journey!