In Write Essay, you get 20 minutes to write 200 to 300 words on an academic topic. It is worth 31% of your Writing score by Pearson's question weightings, more than any other Writing task. The fastest way to a strong score is a clear four-paragraph structure, ideas that stay on the exact question, and time at the end to check your work.
The free PDF below has the general rules plus 5 sample essays written by the Precise PTE team.
How Write Essay is scored
| Criterion | What it checks |
|---|---|
| Content | Do you answer the question you were given? |
| Form | Is your essay between 200 and 300 words? |
| Development, structure and coherence | Clear paragraphs in a logical order |
| Grammar | Accurate sentences |
| General linguistic range | Variety of expression |
| Vocabulary range | Precise, suitable words |
| Spelling | Correct spelling throughout |
Form is strict. Under 120 or over 380 words scores zero for the whole essay, and anything outside 200 to 300 loses form marks.
The four paragraphs
- Introduction: four sentences. The topic in your own words, both sides of the debate, your opinion, and what the essay will cover.
- Body paragraph 1: supports your opinion.
- Body paragraph 2: covers the other side.
- Conclusion: acknowledge the other side, restate your side, and reinforce your opinion.
Each body paragraph contains a main idea, the reason, an example and the outcome. Extra supporting sentences are encouraged anywhere, such as a second reason or more detail in your example.
The rules that keep your marks
- 200 to 300 words. Add as many supporting sentences as you like, as long as you stay under 300.
- Stay on topic. The accuracy of your content does not matter much, but every paragraph must answer the question on the screen.
- Invented examples are fine. You can make up people and situations, such as a cousin who changed jobs. Do not invent statistics or research.
- Use your own words. Put the structure into your own words and fill it with the real content of the question, so you do not sound like you are reciting a template.
The 20-second article check
Before you submit, spend 20 seconds on articles: every singular countable noun needs a, an, the, this, my or a similar word in front of it. "It gives us better job" should be "It gives us a better job". A missing article is the most common error we see in Nepali students' essays.
Our students get the full Write Essay template, with the sentence to use for every part of every paragraph, plus essay feedback from a tutor. See courses
Sample essay: work and life balance
This sample by the Precise PTE team is one of the five in the free PDF.
Question: Nowadays, it is increasingly more difficult to maintain the right balance between work and the other aspects of one's life, such as leisure pursuits with family members. How important do you think this balance is and what are the reasons that make some people think that this is hard to achieve?
Nowadays, it is becoming more difficult to find the right balance between work and other aspects of one's life. Some people think that this balance is extremely important, while others argue that it is hard to achieve. I believe that having the right balance is crucial. In this essay, we will explore both sides and explain why this balance is essential with suitable examples.
At the outset, having the right balance gives us peace of mind. This is because we are able to handle all of our tasks efficiently, which ensures that we do not become stressed by any one thing. For example, many students in Australia have to find the right balance between their studies, work and time for their families. As a result, mental peace can be achieved, which gives us happiness.
On the other hand, some people are not able to find this balance. This is due to the fact that many people have busy schedules and they can only focus on one thing at a time. For example, when my exams were near, I had to take a break from my workplace to get better results in my exams. Thus, it is hard for a minority of people to have this balance due to external factors.
In conclusion, though some people may not be able to find this balance, it is important to recognise that we should aim to find the middle ground between work and other aspects. It is evidently clear that having the right balance is vital.
*(253 words.)*
Notice that Body 2 covers the other side, which here is also the second part of the question: why some people find balance hard.
Time plan for 20 minutes
- 2 minutes: read the question, choose your opinion and the main idea for each body paragraph.
- 15 minutes: write.
- 3 minutes: check word count, spelling, articles and full stops.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a PTE essay be?
Between 200 and 300 words. Extra supporting sentences are welcome, as long as you stay under 300.
Can I use a memorised essay template in PTE?
Use a structure, not a memorised essay. Put it into your own words and fill it with the real content of the question.
Do my examples have to be true?
No. You can invent people and situations, but stay on the topic and do not invent statistics.
Does spelling matter in PTE Write Essay?
Yes. Spelling is a separate criterion, so save time to check.
Want your essays marked with clear feedback? Our tutors check essays and recordings between classes. See courses or message us on WhatsApp. Also read Summarize Written Text: the one sentence rule.