PTE Writing Essay Tips: How to Write Essay in PTE?
PTE
How to Write Essay in PTE: The PTE exam comprises four key sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The speaking and writing tasks are intertwined in the initial part of the examination. While your writing skills are assessed throughout the test, there are two specific writing tasks: summarizing a written text and composing an essay.
The PTE essay writing task aims to evaluate the test taker's grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and written communication abilities. Thus, it is crucial to grasp this segment thoroughly and comprehend its expectations before entering the exam. For those seeking tips and guidance on approaching this particular section, you are in the right place. Read on to discover more about the PTE essay writing task, strategies to tackle it, and the criteria that examiners consider.
The PTE exam is one of the most trusted English tests for Indian students looking to apply to universities or countries abroad that use English as their primary source of communication. The PTE exam pattern consists of 20 different question types, which test the Speaking and Writing skills (54 – 67 minutes), Reading skills (29 – 30 minutes), and Listening skills (30 – 43 minutes) of candidates looking to take the test to study abroad.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Also Read:
| PTE Listening Tips For Acing Highlight Incorrect Words | ||
| PTE Syllabus | PTE Speaking Section - Tips and Tricks |
PTE Essay Writing Format
In the essay writing task, test takers will be presented with a concise prompt, typically consisting of 2 to 3 lines, conveying an opinion or statement. These prompts can take various forms, such as discussing problems or solutions, arguing for or against an opinion, or expressing agreement or disagreement with a statement.
Following the prompt, the candidate's objective is to craft an essay comprising 200-300 words that effectively addresses the question. Pearson PLC Group, the conducting body of the PTE exam has mentioned the desired format of the essay. The ideal PTE essay should contain an introductory paragraph, two main paragraphs that develop the idea, and a concluding paragraph. So, the desired PTE essay writing format is:
- Introductory paragraph: In this paragraph, the candidate should ideally introduce the topic and any information surrounding it
- 2 paragraphs that develop the idea: In the first paragraph, the candidate is advised to talk about one idea supporting his/her argument. In the second paragraph, the candidate is required to write about another idea supporting their argument / or offer a counter-argument
- Conclusion paragraph: Finally, the last paragraph is a short summary of the test taker's ideas that have led to the conclusion and reasons why.
PTE Essay Writing Tips
The total time provided to candidates for this part of the test is 20 minutes during which they have to plan, write and review their essays. Hence, test takers must practice for this part of the exam by conducting timed practice sessions and writing on various topics and subjects, to improve their speed. Test takers must also note that as this part of the PTE exam assesses their overall grammar, vocabulary and written discourse skills, they must do the rigorous practice of the writing task before the exam.
There are some easy steps for successfully writing a good PTE essay in the writing task.
Steps for Writing a Good PTE Essay
Now that we know the format and the time given to attempt the PTE essay writing section, let us check out the steps (tips and tricks) to complete this task effectively within due time in the exam.
- Analyse the Prompt: Before starting to write your answer, make sure you read and understand the prompt properly. Focus on what is being asked in the prompt - whether you have to agree/disagree with a statement. At the same time, you must note all the important points, ideas or arguments that you should cover in the essay.
- Decide Your Side of the Argument: After you have read and understood the prompt and decided which side of the argument you will write about in your PTE essay writing task, it's time to create a rough idea of the content and the structure of the essay. This type of planning will help you write quickly and effectively but make sure you don't waste too much time on planning.
- Start Writing the Essay: Make sure you write in a way that impresses the examiner with your academic writing skills with clear descriptions and effective idea conveyance. Use complex sentences accurately to showcase your vocabulary and grammar, enhancing your score. Use idiomatic expressions sparingly to maintain an academic tone, and incorporate academic terminology while minimising repetition with appropriate synonyms.
Provided on the official website, test takers can refer to these expressions and linkers when writing their essays:
Table Information Source: Official PTE websiteExpressions Linkers Useful phrases to introduce a point In view of; in light of; considering Introducing the views of an author According to X; X stated that; referring to the views of X Adding a point Moreover; furthermore; in addition; Offering an opinion In my opinion; From my point of view; My conviction is that Concluding In summary; To sum up; In conclusion - Proofread: Lastly, re-read your essay before moving on to the next tasks of the PTE exam. Ensure that there are no spelling or grammatical mistakes in your essay to make sure you receive the best possible marks. Lastly, check the flow of your essay and that the total word count comes to somewhere around 200-300 words.
Utilize a checklist to confirm the coverage of all essential points. Before submission, the following pointers should be looked into:
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Have you addressed the prompt? If not, you will score zero.
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Have you organized the text well, used linking words, and taken a logical approach to the essay topic?
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Have you included four paragraphs: an introduction, 2 body paragraphs each developing an idea, and a short conclusion summarizing your ideas?
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Have you included examples, explanations, and facts to support your point of view?
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Have you written between 200-300 words?
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Also Read:
How is PTE Essay Writing Task Scored?
The PTE Academic Write Essay task assesses your capacity to construct an argumentative essay, showcasing critical thinking and the ability to link ideas logically. It is evaluated based on seven traits, each representing a distinct facet of essay quality:
- Content (Maximum score: 3)
- Formal Requirement (Maximum score: 2)
- Development, Structure, and Coherence (Maximum score: 2)
- Grammar (Maximum score: 2)
- General Linguistic Range (Maximum score: 2)
- Vocabulary Range (Maximum score: 2)
- Spelling (Maximum score: 2)
Of these traits, 'Content' carries the utmost significance and the highest score potential. If your response diverges from the prompt, you'll receive a score of zero for this trait, resulting in a zero overall score for the essay. Similar cases leading to a score of zero include responses not in English, excessively brief or lengthy essays, absence of punctuation, utilization of bullet points or overly brief sentences, writing entirely in capital letters, or failure to provide a written response. In conclusion, diligent practice of the PTE essay writing task is crucial prior to the exam. Keep this guide close at hand during your preparation, and with dedicated practice and readiness, you're poised for excellence in this task.
Candidates can get in touch with us in the comments below. Study abroad aspirants looking for assistance with university admissions can request a call back from our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.
Q: How many questions are there in the PTE test?
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?
International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:
English language test | Minimum Score required UG | Minimum Score required PG |
|---|---|---|
6 or above | 6 or above | |
59 or above | 58 or above | |
105 or above | 120 or above |
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
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There is no set minimum or maximum number of questions in the PTE exam. The total number of questions is within a range and subject to change. However, there are a total of 20 different question types which contribute to a total of 52-64 questions in the exam.