Speaking and Writing - PTE Core
Write Email
Write Email practice prepares PTE Core learners to write clear, complete messages for the audience and situation in the prompt.
Task facts at a glance
| Appears in | PTE Core only — Speaking & Writing part |
|---|---|
| Items per test | 2–3 |
| Time to write | 9 minutes |
| Word limit | Aim for 80–120 words — full Form credit spans 50–120; zero below 30 or above 140 |
| Task rule | Address every bullet point; match the formal/informal register |
| Scoring | Partial credit — content, tone, organization, grammar, vocabulary, spelling |
| Negative marking | None |
| Skills credited | Writing |
Worked example
“You visited a local bookstore yesterday afternoon and think you left your umbrella there. Write an email to the bookstore manager…” covering five bullet points: greeting and purpose, description and time, whether it was found, offering to identify it, closing politely. (Real bank question — shown in the player below. 9 minutes.)
Dear Manager, I am writing because I believe I left my umbrella at your bookstore yesterday afternoon. It is a blue folding umbrella with a wooden handle. I was browsing the fiction section around 3 PM and may have left it near the window. Could you please check the lost and found for me? If found, I can come by to pick it up. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, Mia
Why this scores well: It covers every bullet point in a polite, consistent register; at ~70 words it sits inside the 50–120 full-credit band.
Scoring traits to watch
ContentFormGrammarVocabulary
Key takeaways
Identify the recipient, purpose, and required points before writing.
Use tone that fits the relationship and situation.
Check organisation, grammar, vocabulary, and task completion.
How to practise Write Email
Write Email is Core-specific and practical. The response needs to answer the situation clearly while sounding appropriate for the recipient.
- Underline the required points.
- Choose a suitable greeting and tone.
- Write in clear short paragraphs.
Practice framework
- Underline the required points.
- Choose a suitable greeting and tone.
- Write in clear short paragraphs.
- Check that every prompt requirement is answered.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong tone for the recipient.
- Missing one of the required points in the prompt.
- Writing a message that is too brief to be useful.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should PTE Write Email be?
Aim for 80–120 words. Full Form credit spans 50–120 words, and you score zero if you write under 30 or over 140 words. You have 9 minutes.
Is Write Email in PTE Academic?
No. Write Email is a Core-only task; it does not appear in PTE Academic.
Do I have to cover every bullet point in Write Email?
Yes, you must address all the bullet points in the prompt. Tone and register (formal versus informal) are scored alongside content, organization, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.
This task inside EdKnot
