Facts about the IELTS Writing test
Key facts and quick tips
The IELTS Writing test has two tasks: Task 1 (short report or letter) and Task 2 (essay). You have 60 minutes for both tasks.
In Academic: Task 1 = 150 words (graph/report), Task 2 = 250 words (essay). In General Training: Task 1 = 150 words (letter), Task 2 = 250 words (essay).
Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1 when examiners calculate your Writing band score.
Examiners use four criteria to mark your writing: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
Planning time is important—spend a few minutes planning each task to organise ideas and structure your answer.
Answer the question directly and fully. For Task 2, present a clear position and support it with examples or reasons.
Use a range of vocabulary but avoid repeating the same words; paraphrase the question in your introduction.
Write varied sentence structures (simple and complex) to show grammatical range, but prioritise accuracy over complexity.
Stay within the word limits: under-length answers can lose marks, and extremely long answers may waste time and cause more errors.
Quick quiz
1. How many tasks are in the IELTS Writing test? .
2. Which task usually has more weight for the final Writing score? .
3. Name the four marking criteria used by examiners. .
4. What is the recommended word count for Task 2? .
5. Should you copy the question wording exactly in your introduction? .
BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post:
| Word (Part of Speech) | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cohesion (noun) | how sentences and ideas are linked together | Use linking words to improve cohesion in your essay. |
| Coherence (noun) | clear and logical order of ideas so the reader understands | A clear plan helps achieve coherence in each paragraph. |
| Paraphrase (verb) | to say the same idea using different words | Paraphrase the question in your introduction. |
| Thesis (noun) | the main idea or position you will argue in your essay | State your thesis clearly in the first paragraph. |
| Register (noun) | the level of formality in your language (formal or informal) | Use a formal register for academic essays. |
| Formality (noun) | how formal or casual your language sounds | Avoid slang to keep the appropriate formality. |
| Complexity (noun) | use of varied and longer sentence structures | Show complexity by using complex sentences correctly. |
| Accuracy (noun) | how correct your grammar and vocabulary are | Accuracy is essential for a high band score. |
| Precision (noun) | choosing exact and clear words to express meaning | Precision in word choice makes your argument clearer. |
| Lexical resource (noun) | the range and accuracy of vocabulary you use | Good lexical resource shows a wide range of vocabulary. |