PTE Summarize Written Text
Complete guide to PTE Summarize Written Text including sentence structure, word limits, scoring criteria, and templates.
Quick Navigation (5 Questions)
Q138. What is PTE Summarize Written Text?
Summarize Written Text (SWT) is a writing task where you read a passage of up to 300 words and write a single-sentence summary in 5–75 words. You have 10 minutes per question. It is scored on Content (0–2), Form (0–1), Grammar (0–2), Vocabulary (0–2), and Spelling (0–2) for a maximum of 9 points.
#Link to this answerQ139. Can I write more than one sentence in PTE Summarize Written Text?
No. Summarize Written Text requires exactly one sentence. If you write more than one sentence, your Form score is zero, and the rest of your response may not be evaluated. Use semi-colons, relative clauses, and connectors to pack multiple ideas into one grammatically correct sentence within the 5–75 word limit.
#Link to this answerQ140. What is the word limit for PTE Summarize Written Text?
The response must be between 5 and 75 words, written as a single sentence. The scoring sweet spot is 40–60 words — enough to demonstrate comprehensive understanding without becoming grammatically unwieldy. Responses under 5 words or over 75 words receive zero for Form.
#Link to this answerQ141. How do I write a good PTE Summarize Written Text response?
A reliable structure: Start with the main topic of the passage, add 2–3 key supporting points using connectors (which, that, while, although, and), and end with the conclusion or implication — all in one sentence. Use the punctuation within the passage as clues about which ideas are most central to include.
#Link to this answerQ142. Does Summarize Written Text affect reading score?
Yes. SWT is an integrated task that contributes to both Writing and Reading communicative scores. Reading the passage carefully to identify the main idea is essential for Content scoring. This means SWT preparation improves both writing and reading simultaneously — one of the best bang-for-effort tasks in PTE.
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