What is the IELTS Writing Test?
The IELTS Writing test evaluates your skills to produce written answers that are clear, well-structured, grammatically accurate, and rich in vocabulary. The test lasts 60 minutes and consists of two writing tasks: Task 1 and Task 2. Test takers are required to manage their own time across both tasks, though Task 2 contributes twice as much toward your overall Writing band score as Task 1.
60 minutes (Recommended: 20 mins for Task 1; 40 mins for Task 2)
2 Tasks (Task 1: min. 150 words; Task 2: min. 250 words)
Task 2 is worth 66% (two-thirds) of your total Writing score; Task 1 is worth 33%
Separate test papers for IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
Academic vs General Training Writing: Key Differences
| Task Component | Duration | Format & Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 (20 mins | 150 words) | Visual Data Analysis: You must describe, summarise, or explain visual information (bar chart, line graph, pie chart, table, map, or process diagram) in formal objective language. | Letter Writing: You must respond to an everyday personal or professional situation by writing a letter (personal/informal, semi-formal, or formal) explaining a problem or requesting info. |
| Task 2 (40 mins | 250 words) | Academic Essay: You write a formal discursive essay presenting an argument, evaluating a problem, discussing opposing views, or exploring cause and effect on a societal or educational topic. | General Essay: You write an essay responding to a general topic or opinion. While still structured and argumentative, the style can be slightly more personal with personal examples. |
Structure of Writing Task 1 and Task 2
| Task | Time Allocation | Word Count Limit | Score Weighting | Key Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing Task 1 | Approx. 20 minutes | At least 150 words (there is a penalty for under length) | 33.3% of Writing score | Factual summary: select and report main features, make comparisons (Academic) or address all 3 letter bullet points (General). |
| Writing Task 2 | Approx. 40 minutes | At least 250 words (there is a penalty for under length) | 66.7% of Writing score | Discursive essay: present a well-supported position, organise ideas into paragraphs, and answer all parts of the question. |
How to Prepare for the Writing Test
Getting a higher score in IELTS writing requires mastering paragraph structure, learning to write a clear overview in Task 1, and organising Task 2 essays into structured paragraphs with varied grammar and good vocabulary. To explore detailed guides, sample answers with examiner feedback, and timed mock tests, visit our dedicated prepare hubs:
IELTS Writing test video tutorial
In this video, our expert IELTS Teacher, Tom, will give you the lowdown on the IELTS Writing test structure.
How is the IELTS Writing Test Assessed?
All IELTS writing scripts are evaluated by certificated examiners across four equally weighted criteria (25% each):
Each task receives a separate band score from 0 to 9 across all four criteria, with Task 2 weighted twice as heavily as Task 1.
Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2)
Coherence and Cohesion
Lexical Resource
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
