PTE Writing Practice: Free AI-Scored Mock Tests

Writing Tips & Strategies (Help After Practice)

Finished a writing task? Good. Now let's make sure you're not leaving easy marks on the table. We've seen thousands of PTE essays. Most students make the same avoidable mistakes. Here's how to fix them.

The Two Writing Question Types

PTE Writing has just two question types, but they work very differently. Understanding what each one is actually testing helps you focus your practice where it matters.

1. Summarize Written Text (SWT) – 1-2 questions

You read a passage (usually 200-300 words) and summarize it in one single sentence. Yes, just one. You have 10 minutes, and your answer must be between 5-75 words.

What most students get wrong:

Writing multiple sentences (instant zero for Form)
Exceeding 75 words or falling under 5 (also zero for Form)
Copying chunks directly from the passage
Missing the main point while including minor details

The structure that works:

Build a complex sentence using connectors like "while," "and," "which," or semicolons. Aim for 45-60 words – this gives you room to include key points without risking the word limit.

Example structure: "[Main topic] involves [key point 1], and [key point 2], while [contrast or additional point], which [conclusion or implication]."

Pro tip: Read the passage once for general understanding, then skim again to identify 3-4 main ideas. Your summary should cover these without getting lost in examples or evidence.

2. Write Essay – 1-2 questions

You get a topic (often phrased as a question or statement) and 20 minutes to write a 200-300 word essay. This is where your Writing score is largely decided.

What the AI is looking for:

Content: Did you address the actual question? Did you include supporting examples?
Development: Is your argument logical and organized?
Form: Word count (200-300), paragraphing, structure
Grammar & Vocabulary: Sentence variety, accurate usage, appropriate word choice

The structure we recommend:

Introduction (2-3 sentences): Restate the topic and state your position
Body 1 (4-5 sentences): First argument with a specific example
Body 2 (4-5 sentences): Second argument with a specific example
Conclusion (2 sentences): Summarize your view, no new information

⚠️ Template Detection Warning (2025): PTE now uses AI to detect memorized templates. If your essay sounds like hundreds of others, you WILL be penalized. Generic phrases like "In today's modern world..." or "In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks" are red flags. Write naturally for your specific topic.

How Writing is Actually Scored

Here's what catches people off guard: your Writing responses also contribute to Reading scores (through vocabulary and grammar assessment). It's all connected.

For SWT, you're scored on:

Content (2 points): Did you capture the main ideas? Not every detail, but the core message.
Form (1 point): Is it one sentence? Is it 5-75 words? Miss either, and you get zero for Form AND Content.
Grammar (2 points): Correct sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, tense consistency.
Vocabulary (2 points): Appropriate word choice, paraphrasing rather than copying.

For Essays, the scoring goes deeper:

Content (3 points): Relevance to the topic, addressing all parts of the question.
Development, Structure & Coherence (2 points): Logical flow, clear paragraphing, transitions.
Form (2 points): Word count, essay structure.
Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling (2 points each): Accuracy and range.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Score

Based on what we see from students every day:

Going off-topic: Actually read the question. "Discuss advantages and disadvantages" requires both sides. "Do you agree?" wants your opinion.
Weak examples: "For example, many people..." is vague. "For instance, Australia's carbon tax reduced emissions by 7% in its first year" is specific and convincing.
Word count anxiety: 200 words is the minimum. Under 200 = penalty. Over 300 = no extra credit, just more chance of errors.
Rushing the conclusion: Don't introduce new ideas in your conclusion. Don't skip it either. Two sentences restating your position is enough.
Ignoring the clock: Spend 2 minutes planning, 15 writing, 3 reviewing. Most people skip the review – that's where typos become score killers.

What Actually Helps Your Score

From our experience coaching students to 79+:

Vary your sentence length: Mix short, punchy sentences with longer complex ones. "Technology has transformed education" followed by detailed analysis works better than all complex sentences.
Use specific vocabulary: Instead of "good," try "beneficial," "advantageous," or "constructive" – whichever fits your context naturally.
Connect ideas explicitly: "Furthermore," "However," "As a result," – these help the AI see your logical structure.
Proofread for obvious errors: Spelling mistakes are free to fix if you leave time. Subject-verb agreement errors are common under pressure.

What to Practice Next

Go back to the mock tests above and try an essay. This time, focus on one specific thing – maybe it's hitting exactly 250 words, or writing a stronger introduction, or using more specific examples. Trying to improve everything at once doesn't work.

📝 Writing Templates ✍️ Essay Checker Tool 📅 30-Day Study Plan

How to use this page

Run a free PTE Writing mock test or single-task practice set and get AI feedback on your response.

Choose a mock test or a task type. Pick one of the 24 writing mock tests from the list, or choose a practice set that contains only Summarize Written Text or only Write Essay. The sets run from easiest to hardest.
Write your answer in the box. Summarize Written Text asks for one sentence of 5 to 75 words in 10 minutes. Write Essay asks for 200 to 300 words in 20 minutes. Your answer is kept as you move between questions.
Watch the timer and the word badge. The timer at the top of the test counts down for the question you are on and turns red when it reaches zero. The badge in the banner counts your words and turns green once you are inside the official range.
Move between questions with Previous and Next. Use Previous and Next to check earlier answers before you submit. Submit & Get Results appears on the last question, and it warns you first if any question is still blank.
Read your AI band feedback. Submitting sends your answers for AI scoring and opens a results page with band feedback on your writing traits, so you can see which one is holding your score back.

PTE Writing questions and answers

What are the PTE Writing question types?

PTE Academic Writing has two question types. Summarize Written Text gives you a passage of about 200 to 300 words and asks for a single sentence of 5 to 75 words in 10 minutes. Write Essay gives you a topic and 20 minutes to write 200 to 300 words. This page practises both with the same timings as the real test.

How is PTE Writing scored?

Summarize Written Text is scored on content (2 points), form (1), grammar (2) and vocabulary (2). Write Essay is scored on content (3), development, structure and coherence (2), form (2), and grammar, vocabulary and spelling (2 each). Writing answers also feed your Reading score, because grammar and vocabulary are assessed across both.

How many words should a Summarize Written Text answer be?

Between 5 and 75 words, written as one single sentence. Under 5 or over 75 scores zero for form, and a zero in form also zeroes content, so a second sentence is the most expensive mistake in the task. Aim for 45 to 60 words, which leaves room to cover the main points without risking the limit.

How many words should a PTE essay be?

200 to 300 words. Under 200 you lose form marks, and over 300 there is no extra credit, only more chances to make a grammar or spelling error. The word badge at the top of this page turns green while your answer is inside the range and tells you how many more words you need when it is not.

Does PTE detect memorised templates?

Pearson's automated scoring is built to flag responses that reproduce a memorised template instead of answering the prompt, and heavy template use can pull down your content and vocabulary scores. Write in your own words, answer the specific prompt, and organise with connectors rather than a fixed essay skeleton. The banner at the top of this page warns you when a phrase is recognised as high risk.

Is this PTE Writing practice free?

Yes. All 24 writing mock tests and the single-task practice sets are free, with no account and no card. Answers submitted through a full mock test are sent for AI scoring and open a results page with band feedback; you can retake any set as often as you like.

PTE Writing Practice – Free Essay & SWT Mock Tests