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The IELTS Writing test is a crucial part of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), assessing your ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively in written English. To help you prepare and enhance your writing skills, we provide access to high-scoring writing samples, free IELTS Writing practice tests, and essential exam tips. These resources will guide you in refining your writing abilities, increasing your chances of achieving your target band score.
The IELTS Writing test format and question types are different for the Academic and General Training tests. The Academic test will contain topics suitable for anyone entering a university or a professional institution. The General Training test will contain topics based on general interest.
It is always better to be well prepared before your IELTS Academic Writing test, and it helps if you’ve familiarised yourself with the IELTS format of the test.
Tasks | Task description | Time |
---|---|---|
You are presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event. | 20 mins | |
You are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. | 40 mins |
Free online IELTS Academic Writing practice test papers
It is always better to familiarise yourself with the IELTS format of the test. Here is an overview of the IELTS General Training Writing test.
Tasks | Task description | Time |
---|---|---|
You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style. | 20 mins | |
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style compared to an Academic Writing task. You will support your point of view with relevant examples from your knowledge and experience. | 40 mins |
Free online IELTS General Training Writing practice test papers
Taking an IELTS test? Prepare with free online Writing samples that simulate the IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper experience.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 sample: View Task | Download answer key
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 sample: View Task | Download answer key
IELTS Academic Writing – Familiarisation test sample: Writing demo
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 sample: View Task | Download answer key
IELTS General Training Writing Task 2 sample: View Task | Download answer key
Enhance your writing skills with IELTS Writing practice lessons. Learn how to write a perfect essay to get your desired band score.
Access the right preparation resources to perform well in your IELTS test and score your desired IELTS band. Enroll in our online courses to prepare for IELTS Writing test.
To get a high IELTS Writing score, you should plan your essay writing, use varied vocabulary and complex sentences, stay on topic, and proofread for errors.
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Download Free PDF of examiner approved IELTS Writing tips
Your IELTS Writing band score is calculated based on four key assessment criteria, each contributing equally to your overall score. These criteria are:
Task Achievement (for Task 1) / Task Response (for Task 2):
Coherence and Cohesion:
Lexical Resource:
Grammatical Range and Accuracy:
Each of these criteria is scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The scores for each criterion are then averaged to calculate your overall Writing band score.
For example, if you score 7 in Task Achievement, 6 in Coherence and Cohesion, 6.5 in Lexical Resource, and 7 in Grammatical Range and Accuracy, your overall Writing score would be:
(7 + 6 + 6.5 + 7) / 4 = 6.625
This score is usually rounded to the nearest half-band or whole band, so in this case, your final Writing score would be 6.5.