Mistakes to Avoid in PTE Writing Section
The PTE Academic exam is a gateway for students and professionals aspiring to study or settle abroad. Among its four modules—Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening—the Writing section often proves to be tricky. It not only evaluates your grammar and vocabulary but also your ability to express ideas clearly, concisely, and logically within a strict time limit.
The Writing module contains two main tasks:
Summarize Written Text (SWT) – condensing a given passage into a single sentence.
Essay Writing – writing a 200–300-word essay on a given topic.
Although these tasks might sound simple, they can be score-killers if approached incorrectly. Many test-takers lose marks because of avoidable mistakes rather than a lack of knowledge.
In this blog, we’ll cover the common mistakes to avoid in the PTE Writing section and how to approach each task effectively.
1. Writing Too Long or Too Short
Word count matters in PTE Writing. The system is strict about the minimum and maximum word requirements.
Summarize Written Text (SWT): Only one sentence (5–75 words).
Essay Writing: Between 200–300 words.
Mistake: Writing fewer than 200 words in an essay or trying to impress with 350+. Similarly, writing multiple sentences in SWT.
How to Avoid:
Stick to the word range strictly.
In SWT, use semicolons or conjunctions to combine ideas into one long but correct sentence.
In essays, aim for 240–270 words to stay within the safe zone.
2. Ignoring Sentence Structure in SWT
The Summarize Written Text task demands one grammatically correct, complex sentence. Many students either write run-on sentences or produce overly simple ones.
Mistake: “The passage talks about pollution. It also talks about climate change.” (Two sentences, invalid).
How to Avoid:
Use linking words: however, therefore, moreover, although.
Practice combining multiple ideas into one clear statement.
Avoid overstuffing with too many commas—clarity matters.
3. Weak Introduction and Conclusion in Essays
Your essay should have a clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Many candidates jump straight into arguments without setting context, while others forget to summarize their points at the end.
Mistake: Writing only body paragraphs without a proper intro/conclusion.
How to Avoid:
Start with a 2–3 sentence introduction explaining the topic.
Conclude with a summary and your opinion.
Keep it simple: Intro → Argument 1 → Argument 2 → Conclusion.
4. Overcomplicating Vocabulary
Many test-takers believe using complex, rarely used words will boost their score. In reality, forced vocabulary often reduces clarity and increases the chance of grammatical errors.
Mistake: “The deleterious ramifications of ubiquitous contamination adversely jeopardize ecological equilibria.”
How to Avoid:
Use academic but clear vocabulary: e.g., “Environmental pollution negatively affects ecosystems.”
Prioritize clarity over complexity.
Avoid repetition—use synonyms naturally.
5. Ignoring Grammar and Punctuation
The Writing module heavily evaluates grammar and punctuation. Even strong ideas lose marks if written with careless errors.
Mistake: Misusing tenses, incorrect subject-verb agreement, or skipping commas.
How to Avoid:
Revise core grammar: tenses, articles, prepositions, sentence connectors.
Use simple sentence structures if unsure.
Proofread quickly before submitting.
6. Not Paraphrasing in SWT
Summarize Written Text requires you to restate information in your own words. Copy-pasting sentences from the passage won’t fetch good marks.
Mistake: Lifting exact sentences from the passage.
How to Avoid:
Replace words with synonyms.
Rearrange sentence structure.
Focus on the main idea instead of memorizing text.
7. Going Off-Topic in Essays
Some students write beautiful essays—but on the wrong topic. The PTE system is programmed to detect relevance. Off-topic answers get very low scores.
Mistake: Writing about “advantages of technology” when the topic is “technology in education.”
How to Avoid:
Read the prompt carefully, at least twice.
Identify keywords (e.g., education, society, economy).
Stick to the subject; avoid wandering into unrelated examples.
8. Poor Organization of Ideas
Well-structured writing is easier to read and scores higher. A jumbled essay with random points reduces clarity.
Mistake: Mixing arguments without logical flow.
How to Avoid:
Plan for 1–2 minutes before writing.
Follow the PEEL method (Point, Example, Explanation, Link).
Use one argument per paragraph.
9. Overusing Complex Sentences
While complex sentences are useful, overstuffing them can make your writing confusing.
Mistake: Writing one long paragraph with multiple clauses.
How to Avoid:
Mix sentence types: simple, compound, and complex.
Keep sentences under 25 words on average.
Ensure each sentence communicates one clear idea.
10. Not Reviewing Before Submitting
Many students finish writing and submit without checking. Minor spelling or grammar errors could have been corrected with a quick review.
Mistake: Leaving typos or missed words uncorrected.
How to Avoid:
Save 2 minutes for proofreading.
Quickly scan for spelling errors, missing articles, or punctuation mistakes.
Don’t rewrite entirely—just fix small issues.
11. Weak Time Management
The Writing section is timed, and poor management often leads to incomplete essays or rushed SWT.
Mistake: Spending 15 minutes on SWT and rushing through the essay.
How to Avoid:
Allocate 10 minutes for SWT and 20 minutes for the essay.
Use the first 2 minutes to plan and the last 2 minutes to review.
Practice writing under strict time limits.
12. Lack of Practice Under Exam Conditions
Writing skills improve with practice, but only when it mimics the real exam. Casual practice without time pressure leaves students unprepared.
Mistake: Writing essays at leisure without time limits.
How to Avoid:
Take timed PTE Practice Tests regularly.
Attempt at least 2–3 essays per week under exam conditions.
Use a PTE Mock Test before the actual exam to test readiness.
Final Thoughts
The PTE Writing section may seem straightforward, but it requires a balance of grammar, vocabulary, structure, and time management. Most mistakes happen not because students lack knowledge but because they overlook basic rules—like sticking to word limits, organizing ideas, or proofreading answers.
To succeed, avoid these pitfalls and build consistent writing habits. Tools and platforms designed for PTE preparation can make a huge difference. That’s where Gurully can help. With AI-powered feedback, real-time evaluation, and exam-like practice, Gurully gives you the edge to write with clarity and confidence.
Start today with a PTE Practice Test or challenge yourself with a full-length PTE Mock Test on Gurully—because avoiding mistakes is the first step toward achieving your desired score.
Also Read:PTE Writing Template & Tips to Maximize Your Score
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