PTE Core Write Email Template 2026: Structure, Samples and Tips

A flexible template helps you organise a PTE Core Write Email response quickly. The useful way to use one is to learn the email structure and common phrases, then fill the body from the prompt: who you are writing to, why you are writing, and the three points the task asks you to cover.

This guide gives a formal and an informal PTE Core Write Email template, two complete sample emails, and a checking routine for timed practice. The official requirements below were checked on 7 October 2026; study advice and official rules are labelled separately.

PTE Core Write Email time and word count

In Write Email you read a short situation and write an email that responds to it. Pearson gives you 9 minutes, and the task instructions ask for 80–120 words. Source: Pearson task description

Keep one distinction in mind: on the same page, and in Pearson's 2026 score guide, 50–120 words is the range that earns full credit for Form. That is a scoring band, which is different from the wording of the task instruction. Source: Pearson 2026 score guide, page 18

In practice, aim for around 100–115 words. That is our study advice, chosen to leave room to cover every point and still revise, not an extra official rule. On test day, follow the on-screen instructions and check the word count the system shows.

What does a high-scoring email need?

Pearson scores the email on seven traits: Content, Email conventions, Form, Organization, Grammar, Vocabulary and Spelling. The content must respond to the task, and the email should include a salutation, an introduction, a conclusion and a farewell. Source: Pearson scoring description

When you write, turn those traits into three practical goals:

1. Make the situation clear. Answer all three points so the reader knows what happened, why you are writing and what should happen next.
2. Add useful detail. Give times, places, specific effects or arrangements that fit the prompt instead of general statements.
3. Use accurate, suitable language. Vary your sentences, but keep them natural and match the tone to the relationship.

For example, a complaint that only says "The service was bad" gives the reader little to act on. "My order arrived two days late, and one item was missing" states the problem clearly.

A general structure for PTE Core Write Email

Most emails can follow this order:

Salutation → purpose → the three points with details → a suitable closing line → sign-off

This is a way to organise ideas, not a rule that each point needs its own paragraph or two sentences. Related points can share a paragraph, which is better than repeating yourself to fill a structure.

Before you start writing, decide:

• Who is the reader? A friend, a manager, a landlord or a customer service team?
• Why are you writing? To ask for help, complain, invite, apologise or give information?
• What must you include? Map each of the three points in the prompt to part of the body.

Formal and semi-formal email template

Use this template for a manager, landlord, teacher, customer service team or anyone you need to address politely. Replace the parts in square brackets with content that fits the prompt.

Dear [name or suitable greeting],

I am writing to [your specific purpose]. [One sentence of background, if needed].

[Respond to point one with a relevant detail].

[Respond to point two, explaining a reason or effect if needed]. [Respond to point three with a specific request, detail or arrangement].

[A closing line that fits this prompt].

Kind regards, [Your name]

How to fill in the template

Suppose the prompt asks you to report a heating problem to your landlord:

The background sentence is optional. If your purpose is already clear, move straight to the points.

In the same way, do not add because after the second point by habit. Use it only when there is a real cause and effect; when you are giving parallel details such as a time, a place or what to bring, separate sentences are usually clearer.

Informal email template: writing to a friend

With a friend you can use a warmer greeting and sign-off, but the body still has to answer the task in full.

Hi [friend's name],

[Say why you are writing, for example to thank them for an invitation, invite them or share news].

[Respond to point one with a specific detail]. [Add a reason or feeling if needed].

[Respond to point two]. [Respond to point three with a suggestion, arrangement or request].

[A closing line that fits, for example asking if the plan works for them].

Best, [Your name]

If a friend has invited you to a party, you might open with:

Thanks for inviting me to your party!

If you are the one inviting, you might write:

Would you like to join us for dinner on Saturday?

The openings differ because the purposes differ, so choose your first line from your reason for writing. Contractions such as I'm, I'd and can't are natural in an email to a friend, but avoid chat spellings such as u or thx.

Useful phrases by purpose

Treat these as a phrase bank. Pick the ones that fit the prompt; you do not need to use them all in one email.

Watch three common grammar points:

• Do not drop it in I would appreciate it if you could….
• apologize for takes a noun or an -ing form, for example apologize for missing the meeting.
• After confirm whether, use statement word order, for example confirm whether lunch is included.

Sample email 1: asking a landlord for a repair

Practice prompt: The heating in your apartment has broken. Write to your landlord. Describe the problem, explain how it affects you, and ask for a repair, giving times you are available.

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing to report a problem with the heating in my apartment. Since Monday evening, the heater has been making a loud noise without producing any warm air.

The apartment becomes particularly cold at night, which has made it difficult for me to sleep. Although I have checked the thermostat, the problem remains.

Could you please arrange for a technician to inspect and repair the heater this week? I will be available on Thursday after 3 p.m. and throughout Friday morning. Please let me know which time is convenient.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards, Alex

Word count: 101. Counted by splitting on spaces, including the greeting and sign-off; on test day, the system's count is what matters.

The email covers all three points:

• The problem: since Monday evening the heater has been noisy and produces no warm air.
• The effect: the apartment is cold at night, which makes it hard to sleep.
• The request: a repair this week, with two time slots offered.

The which clause and the Although clause serve the meaning; the email does not add long sentences just to look advanced.

Sample email 2: declining a friend's invitation and suggesting another plan

Practice prompt: A friend has invited you to a birthday dinner on Saturday, but you cannot go. Thank them, explain why, and suggest another time to meet.

Hi Emma,

Thanks for inviting me to your birthday dinner on Saturday. I was really looking forward to celebrating with you, but unfortunately, I need to travel to Ottawa that morning for a family event.

My grandparents are celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and the whole family will be there. Since we will return late on Sunday, I will have to miss your dinner.

Could we meet for lunch next Tuesday instead? There is a new Italian restaurant near your office that I think you would enjoy. Lunch will be my treat!

Have a wonderful birthday, and let me know if Tuesday works for you.

Best, Alex

Word count: 107. Counted by splitting on spaces, including the greeting and sign-off.

The tone suits a friend. The reason is specific, the new plan has a time and a place, and the ending responds naturally to the birthday.

Both emails are teaching examples. They have not been scored by Pearson, so do not treat them as "official full-mark answers" or "verified 90-point responses".

Can you still use a PTE email template in 2026?

Yes, as a framework, but the body has to come from the prompt.

Pearson's 2026 score guide says that an email that does not deal properly with the prompt because of significant amounts of pre-prepared or memorised material scores zero for Content, and the task then receives no further score points. Source: Pearson 2026 score guide, pages 6–7

So practise these until they are automatic:

• greetings, polite requests and closings;
• organising the body around the three points;
• adjusting your tone to the reader;
• adding the details the prompt needs within the word limit.

Do not memorise a whole email and swap a few nouns for every prompt. The guide also does not publish any "safe" number or share of memorised words.

How to use the 9 minutes

Here is a practice timing you can adjust to your typing speed.

When you check, go in this order:

1. Have you answered all three points?
2. Are times, places, people and arrangements consistent?
3. Do the greeting and tone suit the reader?
4. Are the sentences complete, with correct tenses and singular/plural forms?
5. Is the word count within the task's range?

If you are close to the word limit, cut repeated background or empty pleasantries first, and keep the information the prompt asks for.

For more frames and scenario practice, see the course lessons PTE Core email templates and Write Email: the seven traits. You can practise real prompts in the Write Email question bank.

Frequently asked questions

How many words should a PTE Core email be?

We suggest about 100 to 115 words in practice, which leaves room to cover every point and revise. On test day, follow the task instruction and the system's word count.

Can every email start with "I am writing to"?

It works for many formal and semi-formal situations, such as complaints, enquiries and requests for help. With a friend, it is more natural to thank them or say why you are writing. A standard opening never replaces specific content.

Do I need advanced vocabulary?

Choose words you can use accurately and that fit the situation. Learning specific collocations, such as arrange a repair, request a refund and reschedule a meeting, is usually more useful than forcing in unfamiliar words.

Does every point need a reason?

No. If the prompt asks you to describe an item, give identifying features; if it asks you to arrange something, give a time and place; only when it asks you to explain a decision does the reason become the focus. Details should serve the point.

Do I need a subject line?

The email conventions on Pearson's task page do not list a subject line as required. If the prompt does not ask for one, you can start with the greeting; if it does, follow the prompt.

Will this template guarantee a high score?

No template can guarantee a score. It helps you organise your ideas, but the result depends on whether you answer the prompt, give enough detail and use accurate language. Practise with different situations to check you can write a complete, natural email in 9 minutes.

Related guides

• What is PTE Core?
• PTE Core email templates (course lesson)
• PTE Core Writing course
• How long does it take to get PTE Core results?

Sources and further reading

• Pearson: PTE Core Speaking and Writing task details, Write Email time, word count, scoring traits and email conventions.
• Pearson: PTE Core Score Guide 2026, Form scoring bands (page 18) and memorised content (pages 6–7).