The two tasks
| Task 1 | Task 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic | Describe a graph, chart, table, diagram, process or map | An essay on a given topic |
| General Training | A letter (formal, semi-formal or informal) | An essay on a given topic |
| Minimum length | 150 words | 250 words |
| Suggested time | 20 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Weight | One third of the Writing band | Two thirds of the Writing band |
Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1, so it deserves more of your time. Guides to each task: Task 1 Academic reports, Task 1 General Training letters and Task 2 essays.
The four criteria
Each task is marked on four criteria, which count equally:
| Criterion | In plain words |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2) | Did you do what the task asked, fully and relevantly, with a clear overview or position? |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Is it well organised, with clear paragraphs and ideas that link naturally? |
| Lexical Resource | Is your vocabulary varied, precise and accurately spelt? |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Do you use a range of sentence structures, mostly without errors? |
Word counts: what really matters
- Writing fewer than the minimum costs marks under Task Achievement or Task Response.
- Writing far more doesn't earn marks, and it leaves more room for mistakes. Aim a little over the minimum: around 170 words for Task 1 and 270 for Task 2.
- Words copied from the question don't show your own language. Paraphrase the task instead.
A plan for the hour
Many candidates do Task 2 first, while fresh, because it carries more marks. Either way: about 5 minutes planning Task 2, 35 writing it, and 20 on Task 1, leaving a couple of minutes to check both.
Questions
How long is the IELTS Writing test?+
60 minutes for both tasks. The suggested split is 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2.
Is Task 2 more important than Task 1?+
Yes. Task 2 counts for twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.
What happens if I write fewer than 150 or 250 words?+
You lose marks under Task Achievement or Task Response. Aim for a little over the minimum.
Is Writing different for Academic and General Training?+
Task 1 is different: Academic describes visual information, General Training writes a letter. Task 2 is an essay in both, though General Training topics tend to be more everyday.