How to Prepare for the PTE Essay Question and Improve Overall Score?

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. Among its four modules, one is writing. One task that test takers have to complete in the writing module is to pen down an essay on the given topic. 

It is recommended that the essay be persuasive and structured. It should have 200-300 words. Additionally, the given time limit for writing it is 20 minutes.

While it may seem like this task isn’t that important because it’s just one of the things that you have to do in the writing module, this isn’t the case. Essay writing accounts for a significant portion of your writing score and is also a quite tricky portion when it comes to the PTE exam. Whether you're aiming to study abroad, migrate, or secure employment, excelling in this section can make a big difference in your overall performance. 

Before you start your preparation, it’s important to understand how your essay is graded. It is scored while considering several parameters, which are as follows. 

• Content: The content has to be relevant to the given topic. It should also provide a clear argument and not stray too far from what’s asked. 
• Form: Your essay should stick to the word limit. It shouldn’t be shorter or longer. Points are deducted if the form of your essay isn’t perfect. 
• Development and Coherence: Logical flow between paragraphs should be attained in the essay. Connecting words and phrases should be added. 
• Grammar: A variety of sentence structuring and correct grammar must be used in your essay. Failing to do so will most definitely result in a penalty. 
• Vocabulary: A range of appropriate word choices should be used in the essay. They should be precise and contextually correct as well.
• Spelling: All the nouns and other POS have to have correct spellings. Otherwise, the essay may look amateurish, resulting in points deduction. 
• General Linguistic Range: Multiple discourse strategies have to be used in the essay. Doing so will demonstrate your language abilities and result in points being rewarded. 

Do keep in mind that the content and form of your essay are the most important things. This is because these two parameters are checked first. If no points are awarded here, your essay won’t be checked for the rest of the parameters. No further scoring will be done. Refer to the image below for further clarification. 

The strategies discussed below are best when it comes to preparing for the PTE essay question. If you follow them, there’s a good chance you’ll score high points. 

1. Learn Effective Time Management

As we’ve mentioned, you have only 20 minutes to write a good essay. If time isn’t managed, there’s a good chance that you’ll fail to write the required amount of words. We suggest test takers follow the approach mentioned below. 

• Plan (2-3 minutes): Think of what you’re going to write in the essay. The outline, key points, examples, and supporting arguments. Try to make a mind map. 
• Write (14-15 minutes): Once everything is mapped out in your head, start writing. Take this time to develop your essay. Be sure to craft a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. 
• Proofread (2-3 minutes): Lastly, review your essay. Look for mistakes in grammar, spelling, and sentence structuring. Add the final touches and your work is done. 

1. Practice to Develop a Clear Essay Structure

The structure of your essay matters a lot. A high-quality piece usually has a coherent structure, with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. You should practice writing such an essay before the date of the test. Doing so will make you better at structuring and there’s a good chance you’ll score better. 

That said, during your practice sessions, stick to the following approach. 

1. Introduction (30-50 Words)

First start by paraphrasing the essay question and talking a bit about it. This will demonstrate your understanding. For example, let’s say the question asks whether technology is beneficial for youth. Start your essay’s introduction by saying something that goes like this: 

“In the last few years, technology has significantly influenced almost all aspects of young people’s lives. Due to this, many debates have sparked about whether technology has simplified or complicated modern living.”

After this, you have to clearly state your thesis or main stance that you will carry forward to the essay’s body. In this case, something like the following will go well. 

“This essay argues that technology has in fact made life easier for young people. It has improved communication and accessibility to study material as well.”

1. Body Paragraph 1 (80-100 Words)

When it comes to writing the first body paragraph of your essay, it’s best to introduce your first point. Write a clear topic sentence and let the checker know what you’ll be discussing in this section. 

Continuing the example, a topic sentence for the first body paragraph should be something along the lines of: 

“One of the main benefits of technology for young minds is how it has revolutionized communication. Not just for them, but for everyone.”

After the topic sentence, provide supporting evidence for your argument. You can also give an example so your point can be strengthened in the eyes of the checker. Then, conclude the paragraph by linking back to your stance and move on to the next. 

1. Body Paragraph 2 (80-100 Words)

Here, present your second point with a clear topic sentence. However, do keep in mind that this point should be somewhat relevant to the first. It should be to the point and not beat around the bush. 

To exemplify, the topic sentence of your second body paragraph would go something like: 

“Additionally, technological advancements have also improved accessibility to study material for young students with tools and online resources.”

Just like the first body paragraph, you then have to provide evidence or examples for your argument. After that, link this idea to the broader context of the essay question. 

1. Conclusion (30-50 Words)

At the end of your essay, you have to summarize all the main points that you presented earlier. Keep it brief and try not to talk about anything unnecessary. The conclusion should be only about 30-50 words. Something along the following lines is perfect.

“To sum it up, technology has undeniably made young lives easier by enhancing communication and providing them with study resources on the go.”

You can also restate your thesis in a compelling way. Doing so will give a much better closure to your essay. 

“As technology continues to evolve, there’s a high chance that it will impact the lives of children even further.”

While moving from one sentence to another, we recommend using linking words. “Furthermore,” “however,” and “therefore” are some commonly used ones. This will create a seamless transition in your essay’s conclusion.

1. Build a Robust Vocabulary

To secure points in vocabulary, you have to avoid repetition and use a variety of expressions in your essay. For this, try to learn how to synonymize content. Replace common words with alternatives. For example, instead of “important,” use “crucial” or “vital.”

Additionally, topic-specific terms and jargon should also be memorized. For technology, words like “automation,” “innovation,” and “connectivity” are useful. 

We suggest consulting a dictionary every day for at least an hour. Look for words that you aren’t familiar with and see their meanings. Most dictionaries also include synonyms so it’ll make the learning process easier for you. 

If you don’t have a physical dictionary on hand, look towards the online Cambridge Dictionary. Besides this.

1. Master Grammar and Sentence Structure 

Grammatical accuracy is key in PTE’s essay question. Like we’ve said earlier, this factor is considered while grading your essay. So be sure to master grammar and sentence structure. You have to avoid mistakes like incorrect verb forms, articles, and subject-verb agreement.

Use simple sentences if you’re unsure about complex grammar or don’t know much about it. However, if you’re familiar with grammar rules, include some complex sentences for variety. Doing so will make you come across as confident. 

One thing to note here is that try not to overdo the complexity. If this happens, the readability of your essay will be affected. 

Practice implementing grammar rules and sentence structures daily. Doing so will help you get better at writing in the long run, leading to a better PTE essay and overall score.

1. Consult Practice and Learning Resources

Practice and learning resources can prove to be a lifesaver, especially when it comes to tests. Consulting them often before your PTE can help you get better and write high-quality essays. Some common practice resources that you can consult are as follows. 

1. Online Essay Generators

One excellent resource to practice and learn is online essay generators. Quite a few of them are available online. Some of the prominent ones are as follows.

• Editpad’s Essay Writer
• Prepostseo’s Essay Writer
• Eduwriter.ai

These tools are free and allow you to generate essays on any topic quickly with the help of artificial intelligence. These tools provide valuable insights into how you’re supposed to structure essays, what vocabulary you should use, and how to write coherently. 

They’re a really great way to learn and brainstorm ideas. You can experiment with ideas and come up with all sorts of essays for your preparation.

2. Free PTE Practice test 

 Boost your preparation with Gurully’s Free PTE Practice Test platform. Students can practice real exam-style PTE Writing Practice Questions to improve essay writing, grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Regular practice helps build confidence and improves time management for the actual PTE exam. Gurully also provides instant AI scoring and detailed feedback so you can identify mistakes and improve faster. Whether you are preparing for Essay Writing or other PTE writing tasks, these free practice tests can help you achieve a better PTE score.  

3. Mock Tests

A PTE mock test stimulates real exam conditions and asks test takers similar questions that would appear in the exam. The essay question is changed each time you start the mock test. 

Once the mock test is completed, you’re provided detailed feedback on your performance. Consider the feedback and try to get better. Take one mock test each day, starting a month before the official PTE. This will help you prepare for the essay question better and ace the exam. 

4. Writing Groups

Collaborative learning is always recommended. You get to know people and can learn from them. 

Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit have communities and groups. You can join a writing or PTE test group there. People like you will be talking about their experiences and how they manage studying for the test. Follow their footsteps if you feel like what they’re doing is effective.

Furthermore, you can share your essays with the experts in these communities. They will review it and provide helpful feedback for you to get better. 

Though the above post is written with great care to detail, any candidates preparing to show up in PTE tests with any sort of question may read the FQAs section below, in which all the general questions are answered.

Q1. How long should my PTE essay be?

Your PTE should be between 200-300 words. Writing fewer than the limit or exceeding the limit can result in a penalty.

Q2. How much time do I get to complete my PTE essay?

There are 20 minutes to write the PTE essay. It is better to plan, write, and proofread your essay efficiently. 

Q3. Is it important to use linking words in the PTE essay?

Yes, using linking words like “furthermore,” “however,” and “therefore” helps maintain a logical flow and improves coherence, which is a key scoring criterion.

Q4. How I can prepare effectively for the PTE Essay question?

You can hone your skills by joining writing groups for feedback, utilizing online essay generators, and taking mock exams.

Q5. Should I include examples in my essay?

Giving examples and building arguments improves the persuasiveness of your essay. Make certain, though, that they are pertinent to the subject.

Preparing for the PTE essay question is absolutely vital to raise your general grade. Key tactics for excelling in the writing module include knowing the scoring system, concentrating on content and style, creating a distinct essay structure, increasing a strong vocabulary, perfecting grammar, and using practice and learning tools.