Word limits depend on the exam and task. This guide covers tasks with fixed response ranges. Write From Dictation and gap tasks require the supplied words rather than a target-length response, so they are outside the table. Confirm your selected exam before practising because Academic and Core use different ranges for summaries.
Current written response ranges
| Exam | Task | Required response |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Summarize Written Text | one sentence, 5 to 75 words |
| Academic | Write Essay | 200 to 300 words |
| Academic | Summarize Spoken Text | 50 to 70 words |
| Core | Summarize Written Text | 25 to 50 words, one or more complete sentences |
| Core | Write Email | 80 to 120 words (Score Guide full credit: 50 to 120) |
| Core | Summarize Spoken Text | 20 to 30 words |
Pearson currently gives 10 minutes for Academic and Core Summarize Written Text, 20 minutes for Academic Essay, 9 minutes for Core Write Email, 10 minutes for Academic Summarize Spoken Text and 8 minutes for Core Summarize Spoken Text. Pearson Academic Speaking & Writing Pearson Academic Listening Pearson Core Speaking & Writing Pearson Core Listening
Count content, not padding
The interface displays a word count for these tasks. Use practice to learn what a complete response looks like inside the range, but do not aim for the upper limit automatically.
Example Core summary:
Remote work can reduce commuting, but organisations need clear communication, suitable technology and fair access to office space when collaboration requires employees to meet in person.
This response contains 26 whitespace-delimited words, within Core’s 20 to 30 word Summarize Spoken Text range. It would not meet Academic’s 50-word minimum for the corresponding task.
Common mistakes
- importing Academic’s one-sentence rule into Core Summarize Written Text
- using Core’s short spoken-summary range for Academic
- adding irrelevant sentences merely to reach a minimum
- cutting essential meaning to hit a preferred round number
- relying on a word counter without checking form and punctuation
Treat form as one requirement among several. A response inside the range can still be inaccurate, irrelevant or ungrammatical.
See PTE Summarize Written Text for the exam differences and PTE Academic Essay Structure for a complete 200-plus-word model. Practise in the writing section.
Repair an answer outside the range
If an essay is short, add explanation or a relevant example, not a second conclusion. If an Academic Summarize Written Text response is long, remove examples and repeated background while keeping one complete sentence. If an Academic Summarize Spoken Text response is long, keep the main point and strongest support; it does not have the same one-sentence requirement. If a Core email is long, shorten greetings and copied context before cutting required points.
Treat the on-screen counter as a boundary check. A preferred practice target may provide editing room, but it is not an extra official rule.
Sources
- Pearson format pages linked above.
