PTE Write Essay Tips 2026: Templates, Topics & Scoring Guide

The PTE Write Essay task gives you 20 minutes to write a 200-300 word essay on a given topic. It is scored on Content, Form, Development/Structure/Coherence, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling — contributing to your Writing score. With the right template and preparation, this is one of the most predictable and high-scoring PTE tasks. This guide shares the exact template, common topics, and advanced strategies EEC trainers use.

PTE Write Essay Overview

Essay Scoring Criteria

The 4-Paragraph Essay Template

This template works for virtually every PTE essay topic — agree/disagree, advantages/disadvantages, discuss both sides, or problem/solution:

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (40-50 words): Paraphrase the topic statement. State your position/thesis clearly. "In recent years, [topic] has become a subject of considerable debate. While some argue that [view A], others contend that [view B]. This essay will argue that [your position]."

Paragraph 2 — Body 1 (70-80 words): Topic sentence stating your first supporting point. Explanation and evidence. Specific example. "Firstly, [point 1] is significant because [reason]. For instance, [specific example or data]. This clearly demonstrates that [connection to thesis]."

Paragraph 3 — Body 2 (70-80 words): Topic sentence for second point. Explanation, evidence, example. "Furthermore, [point 2] plays a crucial role in [topic]. Research has shown that [evidence/example]. Consequently, [connection to thesis]."

Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (40-50 words): Restate thesis. Summarise main points briefly. Final recommendation or prediction. "In conclusion, [restate thesis]. As demonstrated by [brief summary of points], it is evident that [final statement]. Moving forward, [recommendation]."

Common Essay Topics 2026

PTE essay topics are drawn from a finite bank and many repeat. The most common categories:

Education: Online vs classroom learning, importance of university education, role of teachers, standardised testing pros/cons, early childhood education.

Technology: Impact of social media on society, artificial intelligence in the workplace, benefits and risks of technology for children, digital privacy.

Environment: Climate change responsibility (individuals vs governments), renewable energy, pollution solutions, conservation vs development.

Health: Public healthcare systems, obesity prevention, mental health awareness, smoking bans, exercise and lifestyle.

Society: Immigration policies, gender equality, ageing populations, urbanisation, cultural preservation vs globalisation.

Practice writing 2-3 essays per week from these categories. Over a month, you will have covered most common topics and built a vocabulary bank for each.

Advanced Vocabulary & Grammar Tips

Vocabulary: Replace common words with academic alternatives. "Good" → "beneficial/advantageous." "Bad" → "detrimental/adverse." "Important" → "significant/crucial." "Many" → "numerous/substantial." Use 5-8 less common words per essay for maximum Vocabulary Range marks.

Grammar: Use a mix of sentence structures — simple, compound, and complex. Include at least 2-3 complex sentences with subordinate clauses ("Although X, Y because Z"). Use passive voice sparingly for variety ("It has been observed that..."). Avoid run-on sentences and fragments.

Word Count Strategy

Target: 250-280 words. This gives you a comfortable margin above the 200 minimum and below the 300 maximum. At a typing speed of 30-40 words per minute, you can write 250 words in 7-8 minutes, leaving 12 minutes for planning and proofreading.

Time allocation: 2-3 minutes planning (outline your 4 paragraphs), 12-14 minutes writing, 3-5 minutes proofreading (check spelling, grammar, word count). The proofreading step catches 2-3 spelling errors on average — each one could cost marks.

Common Essay Mistakes

1. Going off-topic: Always address the specific question asked. Generic essays that do not engage with the topic lose Content marks.

2. No clear structure: The AI checks for paragraph structure. A wall of text with no paragraph breaks scores poorly on Development.

3. Spelling errors: "Definately" (definitely), "goverment" (government), "enviroment" (environment). These common errors cost Spelling marks. Keep a list of commonly misspelled words and review before each mock test.

4. Repetitive vocabulary: Using "important" five times in one essay tanks your Vocabulary Range score. Use synonyms.

EEC PTE Essay Practice

EEC's coaching includes weekly essay writing assignments with trainer-reviewed feedback on all scoring criteria. Students build topic-specific vocabulary banks and practise the 4-paragraph template until it becomes automatic. See our SWT guide for the other PTE Writing task.

“PTE Essay scoring is algorithmic. A well-structured 250-word essay with clear grammar beats a creative 350-word essay every time. Structure wins over creativity.”

— Vikram Patel, EEC PTE Writing Coach

Related Resources & Further Reading

Ready to begin? Register for a free demo class. PTE is also accepted for study in New Zealand. Planning Canada? See our study in Canada options. Read our PTE Academic complete guide. Read our PTE fee structure in India. Read our PTE Academic vs PTE Core. Read our PTE scores for Australia PR. Read our PTE vs IELTS comparison. Read our PTE preparation tips for 79+. Also explore our IELTS complete guide. Also explore our IELTS vs PTE comparison. Also explore our IELTS Band 7 tips. Visit EEC Ahmedabad or EEC Surat for in-person guidance. Use our IELTS vs PTE comparison page for a side-by-side breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

PTE essay questions from students: