Any English language proficiency test doesn’t complete without assessing your writing skills. And IELTS is no different. A good IELTS Writing test score successfully showcases your ability to write in English. Universities, organisations, recruiters, etc, look up to this score to ensure that you’re the right fit for their institution. Understanding how crucial it is for you to get a good IELTS Writing score, we have compiled all you would need to know for your IELTS Writing preparation.
Let’s get started with the insights!
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What is the IELTS Writing Test?
The IELTS Writing section assesses a range of skills, such as a candidate’s ability to understand the presented textual and visual information, grammatical accuracy, fluency of language, vocabulary, and clarity of thought. The IELTS writing section is of two types: IELTS Academic writing and IELTS General Writing section. These are part of the Academic and General IELTS exams, respectively.
The IELTS Writing section tests your ability to comprehend the presented information. It requires you to express your understanding of issues and concepts objectively by means of effective and persuasive writing skills. Here, your expertise in making use of cohesion will be tested. Next, is the IELTS writing test pattern explained through an infographic.
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Duration |
60 minutes |
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No of questions |
2 |
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Mode of examination |
Online or on paper |
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Scoring |
Whole & half-bands |
The IELTS Writing Test’s Academic Test and the General Training Test need to be attempted in 60 minutes each of the IELTS Writing time. However, as a student aspiring to study abroad, one must take the IELTS Academic Test.
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Let’s discuss the IELTS Academic Writing test in detail.
What is IELTS Writing Test Pattern?
In the IELTS writing test, you are required to compose two well-written essays within a duration of 60 minutes. Each of the essays differs in style, structure, and writing. Let’s check the types of questions in an IELTS Writing test format.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
In this task, you will be given a diagram, chart, stat, graph, situation, etc, and asked to summarise, describe, or explain the information through your writing skills. You might also be asked to explain a process, object, or event here.
For example, the IELTS Writing task 1 can be seen in the image below. You are supposed to explain/describe the image in your own words. You can write up to 150 words for this task.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 2
In this task, you have to write 250 words about any specific topic given to you. In addition to the topic, you will be presented with additional information, views, or pointers.
For IELTS Writing task 2, follow the directions provided to you. Then, jot down your points, arguments and views on the particular topic for the essay. Organize your thoughts before you begin writing. Here’s an example for the IELTS Writing task 2 question: Compose a 250-word essay on today’s healthcare system in your country. Talk about the gaps, improvements and technologies you might have noticed recently.
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IMPORTANT! Writing task 2 weighs two times more than Writing task 1. Therefore, manage and allot your time based on the number of words you need to write for a particular task. Spend 20-25 minutes on your IELTS Writing task 1 and leave the other 30-35 minutes for the other. Also, take 5 minutes to glance through your answers and correct errors. |
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Let us understand how the Writing section of the IELTS Academic test scored.
How is the IELTS Writing Section Scored?
A certified IELTS examiner assesses your IELTS Writing test questions for a total band score of 9, with whole and half band scores. Note that task 2 has more weightage than task 1.
Examiners must give detailed insights on the parameters below:
- Task achievement
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
With detailed descriptions of the four parameters, a candidate is scored on a 9 band score. Scores above 7 are considered a good IELTS Writing score to achieve.
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Now that you have an understanding of two types of tasks and the scoring pattern of the IELTS Writing test. Next, explore the study material to begin your IELTS Writing preparation.
Test Material to Prepare for IELTS Writing
Following are the study material sources to prepare for IELTS Writing test topics.
- IELTS Academic Writing Books: The IELTS aspirants can choose from the following books to ace the Writing section in the exam.
- High-Scoring IELTS Writing Model Answers
- Visuals: Writing About Graphs, Tables and Diagrams for IELTS Writing Task 1
- Achieve IELTS Academic Writing Success – Julie Hall
- Academic Writing Practice for IELTS by Sam McCarter
- Top 20 Great Grammar for Great Writing
Websites and APPS to Prepare for IELTS Academic Writing Section:
The candidates can explore these websites to access free IELTS Writing practice tests/ IELTS Writing sample test.
- GlobalExam: The Best Online IELTS Training Solution
- IELTS Liz: Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Reading Exercises
- IELTS Buddy: Improve your Grammar and Vocabulary!
- IELTS Mentor: The site for both Academic and General Training
Now you know the best study material available to prepare IELTS Writing test. These sources include various IELTS Writing Sample test/ IELTS Writing Practice test. Furthermore, it is important to delve into a practical preparation approach to answer all the questions and arrive at a good score on IELTS Writing test questions.
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IELTS Writing Tips: How to Improve Your IELTS Writing Score?
The IELTS Writing section is the most challenging section of the test for maximum test-takers. Many English speakers lose track of time or fudge their essays by messing up with words, sentence structures, or even spelling. However, here are some tips that will help you improve your writing test IELTS skills:
- Practice writing short meaningful sentences.
- Read books and newspapers often.
- Practice writing at least 7-10 essays before taking the IELTS Writing test.
- Work on your spelling and grammar.
- Depending on the test you’re taking, write/type and time yourself.
- Develop a sense of an approximation to understand how many words have been written.
- Use Yocket Flashcards to enhance your vocabulary.
- Brush up on a few idioms, verbs, and adjectives you can use in your essay.
- Read up on current affairs and general topics to be able to support your views with facts.
Now you know the actionable IELTS Writing test tips. Next, you can prepare on the following topics to better understand.
- Censorship
- Health and education
- Having one language in the World
- Paper books vs E-books
- development of infrastructure
- culture and travel
- Work crisis
- Global warming
- Investments
- Start-ups and their culture
- Covid Crisis
- Health care in the time of Covid
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To improve IELTS Writing score and get closer to your dream university, work hard and prepare smartly. This test’s score in the Reading, Listening, and Speaking sections is your gateway to a good university abroad.
An aspirant will score well in the IELTS Writing exam when they consistently practice attentive writing. Despite basic awareness of the exam, aspirants still have many crucial questions. If you, too, are one, connect with our expert counsellors for taking guidance on IELTS or any other step in your study abroad journey like profile building, university application, visa application, scholarships/loans, etc. How? Subscribe to Yocket Premium now!
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