PTE CORE · GUIDE AND PRACTICE

PTE Core Summarize Written Text: Rules and Sample Answer

PTE Core Summarize Written Text asks for 25–50 words in 10 minutes, and more than one sentence is fine.

Core rules vs Academic rules

Rule	PTE Core	PTE Academic
Time	10 minutes	10 minutes
Summary length	25–50 words	5–75 words
Sentences	More than one sentence is fine	One complete sentence

Do not bring the Academic single-sentence rule into Core. Use the Core word counter and timer.

Original passage and model summary

Passage

The Brook Lane community centre used to lend sports equipment only during office hours. Residents working late shifts rarely arrived before the desk closed, so the centre introduced an evening collection locker. Members now reserve equipment online and receive a temporary access code after a volunteer checks the booking. The locker has made collection more convenient, but equipment still needs to be returned to the staffed desk for inspection. The centre will review missing items and volunteer workload before deciding whether to expand the service.

Model summary

Brook Lane community centre introduced an evening locker so members can collect reserved sports equipment outside office hours. Returns still require a staffed inspection, and expansion depends on a review of missing items and volunteer workload.

36 words · RealPTE original · editorial example, not a scored response

Scoring comments

Trait	Raw maximum	Comment
Content	2	Preserves the access change, inspection rule and condition for expansion.
Form	2	36 words: within the Core instruction, with complete sentences and punctuation.
Grammar	2	The first sentence states the change; the second links the restriction and review.
Vocabulary	2	“Outside office hours” paraphrases the access problem without adding a claim.

The January Score Guide allows partial Form credit outside the instructed band in its published ranges. Pearson’s web guidance describes the boundary more strictly; RealPTE marks with the Score Guide and advises staying within the task instruction. The comments above are editorial observations, not assigned scores.

Practise a fresh Core summary

Practise PTE Core Summarize Written Text

The practice task serves a separate original passage, with Core timing and feedback. A free account uses the shared daily AI scoring allowance.

Sources and dates

Source: Pearson Core Speaking & Writing. Checked 2026-10-23.

Source: Pearson Core Summarize Written Text scoring. Checked 2026-10-23.

Source: Pearson Academic Speaking & Writing. Checked 2026-10-23.

Questions students ask

How many words is PTE Core Summarize Written Text?

PTE Core Summarize Written Text asks for 25–50 words in 10 minutes, and more than one sentence is fine.

Can I write two sentences in Core SWT?

Yes. Core permits more than one sentence. Academic requires one complete sentence.

Is this sample from the question bank?

No. RealPTE wrote the passage and model summary for this guide, separately from the practice bank.

Will this model summary get an official score?

No score is assigned here. These are editorial comments; RealPTE feedback elsewhere is a practice estimate.