IELTS Writing
Two tasks in one 60-minute session. Task 1 describes data, Task 2 is an essay, and Task 2 counts double.
- Length
- 60 minutes
- Sections
- 2 tasks
- Minimum words
- 150 + 250
- Weighting
- Task 2 = 2×
Both Academic and General Training Writing have two tasks in 60 minutes. Task 2 (the essay) has the same format in both; the difference is Task 1: Academic describes a graph or diagram, General Training writes a letter.
You manage the time yourself. The usual advice is 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2, since Task 2 makes up two thirds of your Writing score.
Parts of the test
Open a part to see the full format, sample questions and how to approach it.
How it is scored
Examiners score you on the four official criteria from the IELTS band descriptors.
- 01
Task Achievement / Response
Answering every part of the question, with a clear overview (Task 1) or a consistent position (Task 2).
- 02
Coherence & Cohesion
Logical flow, well-organised paragraphs and linking words used naturally, not mechanically.
- 03
Lexical Resource
Range and accuracy of vocabulary, natural collocations and spelling.
- 04
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences with few errors.
The four criteria are weighted equally within each task. Task 2 then counts twice towards your final Writing band.