PTE Summarize Spoken Text Guide for 25/25

Summarize Spoken Text (SST) is one of the most important tasks in the PTE Listening section. Many students ignore it, but the truth is—SST alone gives you 25 marks, and these marks directly impact both Writing (15 marks) and listening (10 marks).

If your SST goes weak, your Writing Essay score also drops. If your Essay gets flagged, your SST score is affected. Both tasks are connected, so you must prepare for them smartly, especially if you are taking PTE Classes.

Why SST Is So Important?

✔ 25 total marks
✔ 15 marks → Writing
✔ 10 marks → Listening
✔ highly scored task if done correctly
✔ direct impact on your overall PTE score

You also get 10 minutes for one question. Within that time, you must listen, understand, and write a 60–69 word summary.
If you cross 70 words, you can lose 0–4 marks, so accuracy matters.

Ideal Word Limit & Template Length

Your template decides your score strength.

If you want 6 Band (50–58 score)

👉 Template length: 30–35 words
👉 Easy and safe

If you want 6.5, 7, 7.5, or 8 Band

👉 Template length: 25–30 words
👉 Remaining words must be your own content from the lecture

Goal: 60–69 total words only
never exceed 70.

What Content Should You Write?

There are 3 ways students try to note content:

❌ 1. Keywords (Wrong & Outdated)

Picking single words like:
pollution, classification, and economy
These never form proper meaning. System detects it and reduces marks.

❌ 2. Phrases (Not Preferred Now)

Two or three words with no meaning like:
energy in the…
pollution of it…
These confuse the meaning and hurt your score.

✅ 3. Complete Sentences (Correct Method)

Pick meaningful lines like:
✔ "Energy in the solar system…"
✔ "Pollution of industries…"
✔ "Market economy is not stable…"

These lines form clear meaning, which the system loves.

Your goal: Pick 4–5 meaningful sentences from the lecture.
If you miss something, no problem—you can use fixed lines.

How to Write Proper SST?

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Listen Actively

Focus on complete ideas, not random words.

Step 2: Note down 4–5 Clear Sentences

Each sentence should have a subject + verb + object.

Step 3: Add Them to the Template

Fit your sentences into your SST structure.

Step 4: Check Word Limit (60–69)

Best SST Template (Safe, Short & Effective)

Use this template in every lecture:

“The focus of the lecture was about {sentence 1}. A number of points related to {sentence 2} were briefly mentioned. Furthermore, the speaker discussed {sentence 3}. Additionally, the lecture also highlighted {sentence 4}. In conclusion, the speaker emphasized {sentence 5}.”

✔ Template words: 28–30
✔ Perfect for 7–8 band
✔ Safe, undetectable, and natural

Replace the {sentence 1–5} with your meaningful lines.

How to Pick Sentences Easily?

Students worry about grammar, but grammar has only 2 marks in SST.
Even if you make 4–5 small grammar mistakes, you lose only 2 marks.

Focus on:

✔ Content
✔ meaning
✔ clarity
✔ spelling
✔ word limit

Grammar is not the main scorer.
Meaning is.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using big templates
❌ Writing only keywords
❌ Writing incomplete phrases
❌ Crossing 70 words
❌ Not using meaningful content
❌ Overthinking grammar

Final Tips to Score 23–25 Marks in SST

⭐ Use a short template (25–30 words)
⭐ Pick full sentences from the lecture
⭐ Write naturally, like a small story
⭐ Maintain 60–69 words
⭐ Avoid keyword stuffing
⭐ Listen actively

If you follow this strategy, your listening and writing both will improve together.