The PTE Core Summarize Written Text task differs slightly from its counterpart in PTE Academic, making it challenging for test-takers unfamiliar with its format.
This task requires you to summarize a passage of up to 200 words in just 25 to 50 words, capturing its key points concisely and clearly. You have 10 minutes to complete the task.
PTE Core Summarize Written Text vs. PTE Academic version: Key Differences
| Feature | PTE Core | PTE Academic |
| Prompt Length | Up to 200 words | Up to 300 words |
| Summary Length | 25-50 words | Single sentence (max 75 words) |
| Scoring (Form) | 2 points for 25-50 words, 1 point for 5-24 or 51-60 words, 0 points for <5 or >60 words | 1 point for a single complete sentence, 0 points if it exceeds 75 words or contains multiple sentences |
To help you succeed, in this blog post, we will break down the scoring criteria, identify key differences from PTE Academic, present an effective strategy to improve your answers and provide you with an example of a high scoring answer. Let’s start by gaining a better understanding of the task.
Understanding the PTE Core Summarize Text Task
In PTE Core Summarize Written Text, you will see a passage of up to 200 words long. You must write a summary within 25 to 50 words. The word count is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and you can use copy, cut, and paste functions to refine your response efficiently.
This task assesses your reading and writing skills, so it is crucial to extract key ideas and organise them logically in a well-structured summary.
PTE Core Summarize Written Text: Scoring Criteria
Your response is evaluated based on four main assessment criteria:
- Content- your summary should cover all key points while maintaining the passage’s main purpose.
- Form- your summary must be between 25 to 50 words:
- Grammar- your response should have correct grammar, with at least one main and one subordinate clause.
- Vocabulary- you must use appropriate academic vocabulary and synonyms where possible.
These four assessment criteria are important and guide our strategy to help you get a higher score in this task.
PTE Core Summarize Written Text Strategy tip from our experts
Before we take a deeper dive into discussing a robust strategy to guide your answers, here are a few things you need to know:
- you can write 2-3 sentences in PTE Core (unlike PTE Academic, which requires a single sentence)
- you can reuse words and phrases from the prompt, but avoid excessive repetition.
The four-step method for PTE Core Summarize Written Text
| Step 1: Read and Identify Main Ideas | Read the prompt carefully and highlight the main idea and supporting details.Look for who, what, when, where, why, and how if relevant.Avoid unnecessary examples, background information, or minor details. |
| Step 2: Plan Your Summary and Make Notes | Follow this structure: First sentence: Introduce the main idea of the passage. Second sentence: Provide 1-2 supporting details using transition words like Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally.(Optional) Third sentence: Include any final key information if necessary. |
| Step 3: Write Your Summary | Keep it within 25-50 words to score full points.Decide how many sentences you’ll use (2-3 is ideal).Use complex and compound sentences to connect ideas smoothly. |
| Step 4: Proofread & Adjust | Check grammar, punctuation, and spelling.Ensure your summary is concise, clear, and within the word limit.Make sure the main idea is accurately conveyed. |
PTE Core Summarize Written Text example question & answer
Here is an example of a prompt you will see on test day:
Are you looking for an active and fun way to spend this summer? Join Central Sports Center for our Summer Day event in July! Enjoy activities like swimming, basketball, and badminton. There will also be face painting and games for all ages. It’s a great chance to make new friends and stay active. The event is free and runs from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday, July 16th.
An example of how to use the 4-step method to write a good summary is set out below.
Step 1: Key Points and Main Ideas Identified:
- Event name: Summer Day event
- Location: Central Sports Center
- Date & Time: Saturday, July 16th, 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Activities: Swimming, basketball, badminton, face painting, games
- Cost: Free
Step 2: Plan and Make Notes
- Sentence 1: (introduction and main idea)- central sports center, summer day event- Saturday 16 July- 10:30-4:30
- Sentence 2: (supporting details)- activities to do- swimming, basketball and badminton, face painting, etc.
- Sentence 3 (if needed): (final key information)- free, everyone
Step 3: Write Summary (convert your notes into sentences)
Using the key pieces of information and ideas we jotted down as notes in our plan above, convert these notes into sentences to begin writing up your summary. For the first draft, focus on getting your key points and ideas to flow. Don’t worry too much about the word count, yet.
The Central Sports Center is holding the ‘Summer Day’ event on Saturday 16th July from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Attendees can enjoy a number of sporting activities including swimming, basketball, and badminton. For smaller kids, there will be face painting and games for all ages. It will be a fun and free experience for everyone.
Word Count: 56
Step 4: Review and Edit
The first draft of the summary above has 56 words. That is too many and means that we must do some trimming without losing meaning or quality. Here is another shorter draft:
Central Sports Center is holding the ‘Summer Day’ event on Saturday 16th July from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Attendees can enjoy swimming, basketball, and badminton. There will be face painting and games for all ages, making it a fun and free experience for everyone.
Word Count: 45
In addition to the word count now being within limits, we have also met the other scoring criteria such as grammar, vocabulary and sentence complexity.
Some Final Thoughts
The PTE Core Summarize Written Text task may seem challenging, but you can improve your score significantly with consistent practice and the right approach. To do that, you need to learn how to:
- Extract key points efficiently
- Write within the required word limit
- Use a mix of sentence structures
- Practice with E2’s practice activities and mock tests
Next Steps
E2Language offers comprehensive preparation resources for both PTE Academic and PTE Core, including:
- Mock Tests: Practice under real exam conditions.
- Section Specific Practice: Focus on improving specific skills.
- Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced teachers who know the tests inside out.
Whether aiming for academic success or Canadian immigration, E2Language has the tools and support to help you succeed.
Choosing between PTE Academic and PTE Core depends on your goals. If you plan to study abroad or pursue a professional role, go for PTE Academic. If you dream of living and working in Canada, PTE Core is the right choice. Whichever test you choose, prepare effectively with E2Language’s trusted resources.
Ready to start? Visit E2Language.com and take the first step toward your goals today!
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