IELTS WRITING

Understand the Writing

Write clearly, organise your ideas and use a varied vocabulary.

Purpose of the test

The IELTS Writing test is designed to assess a wide range of writing skills, including
how well you

 write a response appropriately

 organise ideas
 use a range of vocabulary and grammar accurately
This is the case for whichever version of the IELTS test you are taking.

Timing
The IELTS Writing test takes 60 minutes. Spend 20 minutes on Task 1, and 40
minutes on Task 2.

You will need to manage your own time, so make sure you move on to Task 2
after 20 minutes.

Two tasks
There are two tasks in the IELTS Writing test. You will be asked to write at least
150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Writing tests

The content of the Writing test is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General
Training tests.

IELTS Academic Writing test

Write in a formal style in the IELTS Academic Writing test.

In Task 1 you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. You will be
asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. This
might involve describing and explaining data, describing the stages of a process or
how something works, or describing an object or event.

In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,

argument or problem. You should find the issues interesting and easy to
understand.

IELTS General Training Writing test

The topics used in the IELTS General Training Writing test are of general interest.

In Task 1 you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter
requesting information or explaining the situation. You can write the letter in a
personal, semi-formal or formal style.

In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,

argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal style.

Marking
Your Writing test will be marked by a certificated IELTS examiner.

Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1 in the IELTS Writing test.

Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

TOP TIPS FOR THE WRITING TEST
Follow this Writing test advice, and make sure you know how to manage your
time.

Write your answers in pen or pencil. You may write entirely in capital letters if you
wish.

You may make notes on the question paper, but nothing you write on the
question paper will be marked.

Make the most of your Writing test:

 analyse each task properly and spend some time making notes

 highlight or underline key words in the tasks to make sure that you focus on
what you have to do

 plan your answers

 use paragraphs clearly; put one idea in each paragraph

 do not repeat ideas using different words

 do not copy whole sentences from the question – you will receive no marks
for this

 keep to the topic; do not write about unrelated subjects

 manage your time; remember, Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1

 spend approximately 20 minutes on Task 1 and approximately 40 minutes

on Task 2
 pay attention to the number of words required for each task; you will lose
marks if you do not write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250
words for Task 2

 learn to recognise how long 150 and 250 words look in your handwriting;
you will not have time to count during the test

 you must write your answers in full; answers written in note form or in
bullet points will lose marks

 pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation; you will lose marks for
mistakes

 avoid informal language

 do not memorise model answers; examiners are trained to recognise them

and your test will be invalid

 spend several minutes re-reading and correcting your answers