PTE Core writing practice
To reach CLB 7 in writing, you need 69. Six question types count toward your writing score.
Practise for free
By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
PTE Core writing
The score you need for each CLB level
| CLB level | Writing score |
|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 90 |
| CLB 9 | 88 to 89 |
| CLB 8 | 79 to 87 |
| CLB 7Federal Skilled Worker | 69 to 78 |
| CLB 6 | 60 to 68 |
| CLB 5 | 51 to 59 |
| CLB 4 | 41 to 50 |
From Pearson's PTE Core to CLB table.
What to know about PTE Core writing
Two question types are writing tasks. The other four are in the reading and listening parts.
Write Email counts only for writing, and only PTE Core has it.
Spelling counts. In Write from Dictation, every word you spell right earns a mark.
Question types that count for writing
In the speaking and writing part
This part takes 50 to 65 minutes.
From other parts of the test
- RWFIBReading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks5 to 6 in a testIn the reading partAlso counts for reading
- SSTSummarize Spoken Text1 to 2 in a testPTE Core versionIn the listening partAlso counts for listening
- FIBListening: Fill in the Blanks2 to 3 in a testIn the listening partAlso counts for listening
- WFDWrite from Dictation3 to 4 in a testIn the listening partAlso counts for listening
How to practise writing
Know your target
Find the CLB level your program needs. For CLB 7, that's 69 in writing.Learn the word limits
Summarize Written Text is 25 to 50 words, Write Email 80 to 120, and Summarize Spoken Text 20 to 30.Practise your spelling
Write from Dictation and Listening: Fill in the Blanks give a mark for each word spelled right.Take a full mock test
It shows your score and CLB level for every skill, so you know where you stand.
Your first mock test is free. See the PTE Core mock test.
Common questions
What PTE Core writing score is CLB 7?
You need 69 or higher. For CLB 8 you need 79, and for CLB 9, 88. CLB 7 in all four skills means listening 60, reading 60, speaking 68 and writing 69.
Which question types count for writing?
Six: Summarize Written Text, Write Email, Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks, Summarize Spoken Text, Listening: Fill in the Blanks and Write from Dictation.
Does spelling count in PTE Core writing?
Yes. Write from Dictation and Listening: Fill in the Blanks give a mark for each word spelled right, and Write Email and Summarize Spoken Text mark spelling too.
Which writing tasks are different from PTE Academic?
Write Email is only in PTE Core. Summarize Written Text and Summarize Spoken Text have the same names as in PTE Academic, but different word limits.
Get the score you need
