Using Personal Examples in Your PTE Essay: A Guide for 2025

Are you unsure whether it's okay to use personal examples in your PTE essay? You're not alone. Many candidates wonder, "Can I say 'I' in my PTE writing?" or "Should I share a personal story to support my idea in the PTE academic essay?" If you're preparing for the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic Writing in 2025, this guide will walk you through when, how, and why to use personal examples-along with practical tips to boost both your score and confidence.

Can I Use Personal Examples in the PTE Academic Essay?

Short answer: Yes, you can!

The PTE Academic Exam does NOT forbid personal examples. In fact, many essay prompts-like "Do you agree or disagree..."-actively invite your viewpoint. That means you're expected to express your opinion, and supporting it with a brief personal example or anecdote is not only allowed but often makes your argument stronger.

But there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. Read on to learn best practices, see real model examples, and understand how personal experiences can help (or sometimes hurt) your score.

Why Use Personal Examples in Your PTE Essay?

Personal examples are a powerful tool for several reasons:

They make your essay concrete and relatable. Abstract arguments are less convincing than real-life (even short) experiences.
They help explain your reasoning. The PTE scoring system rewards logical argumentation and supported ideas.
They demonstrate use of a variety of vocabulary and language structures. When you share a personal experience, you often use different expressions than in general statements.

Example Prompt:

"Do you agree or disagree that working remotely improves productivity?"

Instead of simply stating your opinion, anchoring your point with a personal example can add value:

"In my own experience, working from home increased my productivity because there were fewer interruptions from colleagues."

Notice how this is specific, relevant, and still formal enough for academic standards.

Is First Person ("I", "my") Allowed in PTE Essays?

Absolutely.

Many PTE essay prompts are phrased to ask for your individual opinion.
Using "I believe," "In my experience," or "I have noticed" is perfectly acceptable and often natural.
There is no penalty in PTE scoring for using the first person, as long as your examples are relevant and your language remains appropriately formal.

Tip: Avoid excessive use of "I." While it's fine to bring in a personal perspective, maintain balance by also providing general examples, statistics, or logical reasoning.

How Do Personal Examples Affect Your PTE Essay Score?

Understanding the scoring is key to using personal examples effectively. Here's what the official PTE scoring criteria (as of 2025) focus on:

Content: Have you answered all parts of the question? Is your example supportive and relevant to the argument?
Form: Did you write within the word limit (200-300 words) and maintain essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion)?
Development, Structure, and Coherence: Are your ideas organized and logically connected? Personal examples help build coherence.
Grammar and Vocabulary: Is your language accurate, varied, and appropriate for academic writing?

Remember: The PTE writing section is graded both by AI algorithms and, if unclear, human assessors. Both focus on relevance, clarity, and logical support-not on whether the example is "personal" or "general."

Practical Guidelines for Using Personal Examples

1. Keep It Short and Relevant

Your essay must be concise-typically between 200-300 words. Personal examples should illustrate your argument quickly and return to your main point.

Bad:
"My mother always told me stories about how her boss allowed her to work from home and she really liked it because the house was pretty, and she had a dog named Spot..."

Good:
"In my own experience, working remotely allowed me to focus better and complete projects faster."

2. Stay Formal (But Not Stiff)

Avoid overly casual or emotional narratives. The example should support your argument, not sound like a diary entry.

Instead of "I love working from home!" use:
"Working from home has had a positive impact on my concentration."

3. Use Personal Examples as One Tool Among Many

Balance is crucial. Combine personal experiences with logic, evidence, or statistics:

"In my experience, remote work has improved productivity due to fewer workplace distractions. Furthermore, several studies confirm that flexible work arrangements can lead to higher employee satisfaction."

4. Don't Make It the Main Focus

Personal examples shouldn't dominate your essay. Use them to support or illustrate a point-but always bring it back to the general argument.

5. Connect It Directly to the Prompt

Ask: Does my example directly respond to the essay question? If not, cut it.

Examples of Effective Personal Examples in PTE Essays

Model Essay Excerpt 1

Prompt: "Do you agree or disagree with the idea that online classes are as effective as traditional classrooms?"

Supporting Paragraph:

"From my own experience during the pandemic, I found that online classes enabled me to revisit lectures and learn at my own pace. This increased my understanding of the material compared to traditional lessons, where it was harder to ask questions."

Why this works: The example is short, supports the argument, and directly links back to the prompt.

Model Essay Excerpt 2

Prompt: "Do you agree or disagree that high school students should work part-time jobs?"

Supporting Paragraph:

"When I worked part-time in high school, I developed better time management skills and learned how to balance responsibilities. As a result, I became more independent, which benefited me in university."

Why this works: The writer uses a personal anecdote to highlight a specific skill and ties it back to a broader benefit.

Common Mistakes: What to Avoid

Too Much Detail
- Don't include unnecessary background or personal life stories.
Irrelevant Examples
- Does the example clearly support the argument? If it's off-topic, leave it out.
Overly Emotional Language
- Avoid "I hated..." "I was super excited when..."-stick to neutral, formal expressions.
Examples Without Analysis
- Always link your example back to the main argument: "This demonstrates that..." or "Therefore, it is clear that..."

How Many Personal Examples Should I Use?

There's no fixed number, but quality beats quantity.

One thoughtful, well-explained personal example can make your essay persuasive.
If relevant, you might include one in each body paragraph, but never at the expense of structure, clarity, or depth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Examples in PTE Essays

Can I use personal examples in my PTE Academic essay?

Yes. It's not only allowed but encouraged if used correctly. Just make sure your example is brief, relevant, and ties back to your main point.

Does using "I" in PTE essays lower my score?

No. As long as you maintain formal language and relevance, first-person references are perfectly acceptable.

Should I include both personal and general examples?

Ideally, yes. Mixing both shows flexibility and strengthens your argument. For example, combine a short personal story with data or logic.

Does the essay have to be 100% formal?

Your essay should be academic in tone, but a personal anecdote can still fit this style if it is presented objectively.

Quick Checklist: Using Personal Examples in PTE Essays

Is the example directly relevant to the essay prompt?
Is it concise (1-2 sentences)?
Does it support or illustrate a main argument?
Is the language formal and neutral?
Have you avoided too many first-person statements?
Did you clearly tie the example back to your main idea?

PTE Scoring 2025: Updates and Tips

According to recent updates (Pearson PTE Scoring Guide, 2025), the essay is scored based on:

Addressing the topic completely
Providing clear, logical ideas with supporting details
Maintaining coherence and unity throughout
Correct and varied word usage
Grammatical accuracy and formal style

Personal examples help especially with the "supporting details," but only if relevant and concise. Remember, you're judged on your ability to organize ideas logically, not just tell stories.

Pro Tip: Practice with Timed Essays

Mastering the art of using personal examples within 20 minutes (the usual essay writing time) takes practice. Use platforms like Essay Tutor to get instant, AI-driven essay evaluation. You'll receive:

Feedback on content and structure
Grammar suggestions and vocabulary enhancements
A stronger, more effective essay-fast

Sample Paragraphs: Before and After

Weak Version:

"I remember one time when I was in school and my teacher let me use the computer lab. I found that very fun. I think technology is good for schools."

Improved Version:

"When I was a student, access to the computer lab improved my research skills. This experience showed me that integrating technology into education enhances learning efficiency."

What changed? The improved version connects the personal example to the broader point and keeps the tone formal and focused.

Related Tips for PTE, IELTS, and TOEFL Writing

Practice developing arguments from both personal and academic perspectives.
Use the "PEEL" paragraph structure: Point, Example, Explanation, Link.
Edit for clarity. Tools like Essay Tutor highlight grammar mistakes and suggest smoother phrasing.
Keep track of word count; brevity is vital.
Re-read the essay prompt to be sure your example answers the question directly.

Common Student Questions

Q: Can I fabricate an example if I don't have a real personal experience?
A: Yes-but make sure it's believable and fits the prompt. The assessor isn't checking for truth, only for relevance and logical support.

Q: Is it okay to use personal examples in other exam essays (IELTS, TOEFL)?
A: Yes. While IELTS Task 2 and TOEFL Independent Writing also accept personal perspectives, always keep the tone balanced and formal.

Final Thoughts: Smart Use of Personal Examples = Higher Score

Personal examples, when used correctly, are a secret weapon in your PTE Academic essay. They add honesty, support logical arguments, and show real understanding of the prompt-all factors in higher scores according to the latest PTE marking criteria.

Remember:

Stay relevant, brief, and formal.
Always link examples back to your main argument.
Don't rely solely on personal stories; balance them with logic and broader evidence.

Do you want tailored feedback on your essays-highlighting how well your personal examples work and how they can be improved? Try Essay Tutor today for instant, actionable advice, grammar corrections, and suggestions that help you shine in PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL exams.

You have the experience. Now, let your essays show it. Good luck-and happy writing!