WRITING TEST FORMAT
Academic (60 minutes) There are two parts. Responses to Task 1 and Task 2 should be written in a formal style.
Task 1: you are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to summarise and report the information in your own words. You may be asked to select and compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or how something works.
Task 2: you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. Topics of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by candidates entering undergraduate/ postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
General Training (60 minutes)
There are two parts.
Task 1: you are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2: you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be less formal in style with a more personal response than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
Topics of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by candidates entering undergraduate/ postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.
General Training (60 minutes)
There are two parts.
Task 1: you are presented with a situation and are asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Task 2: you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be less formal in style with a more personal response than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
Topics are of general interest
WRITING TIPS
1. In your Writing test there are no right or wrong answers or opinions. The examiners are assessing how well you can use your English to report information and express ideas.
2. Analyse the questions carefully to make sure your answer addresses all the points covered by the question at the end, if you have time.
3. Notice the minimum word limit. If you write less than 150 words for Task 1 and less than 250 for Task 2, you will lose marks.
4. Be careful to use your own words because the examiner will not include words copied from the question in the word count.
5. You must write both your answers in full, not in note form or in bullet points. You must arrange your ideas in paragraphs, to show the examiner that you are able to organise your main and supporting points.
6. You do not have to write very long sentences to do well in your Writing test. If sentences are too long, they will become less coherent and also make it harder for you to control the grammar.
7. In Academic Writing Task 1 you have to select and compare relevant information from data presented in a graph, table or diagram. In your introduction, do not copy the text from the question. Use your own words. You shouldn’t try to interpret or give reasons for the data; keep your response factual.
8. Task 2 of the Academic Writing test is an essay. Don’t forget to plan your essay structure before you start writing. You should include an introduction, ideas to support your argument or opinion, real-life examples to illustrate your points, and a conclusion based on the information you have provided.
9. You have 40 minutes to write your Task 2 essay. Make sure you give yourself up to five minutes to plan your answer before you start writing. Also leave five minutes at the end to review your answer and check for mistakes.
10. Make your position or point of view as clear as possible in your essay for Academic Writing Task 2. Your last paragraph should be a conclusion which is consistent with the arguments you have included in your essay
11. Memorising a model answer for the Writing test won’t help you. The examiner will see that your answer does not match the topic of the essay.
12. Many candidates confuse singular and plural nouns. For example, the plural form for many nouns includes an ‘s’ – students, journals, articles, issues. Pay attention to this when writing.
13. Take care to spell words correctly. Standard American, Australian and British spellings are acceptable in IELTS.
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