The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not there is a correlation between students’ knowledge of simple past tense and students' ability in writing recount text. It was done in SMA Negeri 4 Purwokerto on January, 3rd 2023. The research sample was 35 students who were taken by convenience sampling. This study was quantitative research, and the methodology of this study was a correlational method. In collecting data, the researcher used a test as the instrument. The students were asked to complete two tests; simple past tense and writing recount tests. Therefore, the data were in the form of students’ scores on both tests. The data collected were computed statistically by using the Pearson Product Moment. The result of the correlation coefficient (rxy) was 0.371. Then, the result of ‘rxy’ was compared with ‘r’ table, in which the value of ‘r’ table was 0.334 of significance 5%. The significance of the correlation coefficient between simple past tense and recount text was obtained, and the result of ‘t’ test was 2.297. The value of ‘t’ table in significance 5% was 1.692 by a degree of freedom (df) 33. Because ‘rxy’ (0.371) was higher than r table (0.334), and ‘t’ test (2.297) was also higher than ‘t’ table (1.692), the correlation (rxy) was significant. This means there was a significant correlation between students’ knowledge of simple past tense and students' ability in writing recount text.