The PTE Academic Writing module has been updated, with changes taking effect from 7 August 2025. These updates aim to better assess your ability to communicate ideas clearly, coherently, and with academic precision.
Let’s explore what’s new and how it may impact your score.
PTE Academic Writing: Task Types and Score Contribution
Below is the updated breakdown of writing-related tasks in the PTE Academic exam, along with their approximate contribution to your total score (~44 marks):
- Summarize Written Text – Writing + Reading (~10–12 marks)
- Write Essay – Writing only (~20–22 marks)
- Summarize Spoken Text – Listening + Writing (~8–10 marks)
- Write from Dictation – Listening + Writing (~8–10 marks)
Update Highlight: The “Write Essay” task carries the highest individual weight in the PTE Academic Writing section, emphasizing the importance of long-form, structured writing.
Updated PTE Academic Writing Assessment Criteria
The marking system now evaluates candidates based on the following improved criteria:
- Content: Relevance to the task and logical idea development
- Structure: Proper organisation, clear paragraphing, and smooth flow between ideas
- Grammar & Spelling: Correct use of sentence structure, punctuation, and word forms
- Vocabulary: Use of varied and academic-level vocabulary
Update Highlight: There’s a stronger focus on structural clarity and purpose-driven writing.
Tips to Succeed in PTE Academic Writing (Post-Update)
To perform well under the new PTE Academic Writing marking criteria, follow these expert tips:
- Write with a clear formal tone suitable for academic settings
- Ensure each paragraph addresses a specific idea with supporting evidence
- Avoid repeating phrases or using overly casual language
- Focus on clarity, logic, and connection between sentences and paragraphs
Update Highlight: The emphasis on clarity, structure, and purpose-driven expression makes organized thinking and formal writing more crucial than ever before.
Final Thoughts
With these latest updates to the PTE Academic Writing module, your ability to structure thoughts logically and communicate clearly will be a major scoring factor. Start practicing with real exam tasks and structure your answers with precision to meet the updated expectations.