Originally published November 2020. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
Overview of IELTS Academic Writing
The Writing section of IELTS Academic lasts 60 minutes and consists of two compulsory tasks. You write your responses on an answer sheet (paper-based) or type them on a computer (CBT). There is no choice between tasks — you must complete both. According to the British Council, Writing is the section where candidates most commonly score below their target band.
Task 1: Visual Data Description
You are given a visual — a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process diagram, map, or combination — and asked to summarise the information in your own words. You must write at least 150 words and should spend roughly 20 minutes on this task.
What examiners look for in Task 1
| Criterion | Weight | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Task Achievement | 25% | Cover all key features, make comparisons, identify trends |
| Coherence & Cohesion | 25% | Logical organisation, clear paragraphing, effective linking |
| Lexical Resource | 25% | Range and accuracy of vocabulary |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 25% | Variety and correctness of sentence structures |
Source: IELTS Writing Band Descriptors (public version), published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment.
Task 1 structure that works
Introduction (1–2 sentences): Paraphrase the question. State what the visual shows — the subject, time period, and units.
Overview (2–3 sentences): Summarise the most significant trends or features. This is the single most important paragraph for Task Achievement — examiners confirm that responses without a clear overview cannot score above Band 5 on this criterion.
Body paragraphs (2 paragraphs): Group related data logically. Include specific figures to support your points. Compare and contrast where relevant.
- Writing a conclusion instead of an overview (Task 1 does not require a conclusion)
- Listing every data point instead of selecting key features
- Giving opinions or explanations for the data (describe only)
- Copying the question wording instead of paraphrasing
- Writing under 150 words (penalised under Task Achievement)
Task 2: Essay Writing
You receive a statement or question on a topic of general academic interest and must write an essay of at least 250 words. You should spend roughly 40 minutes on Task 2. It contributes twice the marks of Task 1 to your overall Writing band score.
The five Task 2 question types
| Type | What You Must Do | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion (Agree/Disagree) | Give and justify your opinion clearly | Intro → 2–3 body paragraphs supporting your view → Conclusion |
| Discussion (Both Views) | Discuss both sides, then give your opinion | Intro → View A → View B → Your opinion → Conclusion |
| Advantages/Disadvantages | Examine positives and negatives | Intro → Advantages → Disadvantages → Conclusion |
| Problem/Solution | Identify causes/problems and propose solutions | Intro → Problems → Solutions → Conclusion |
| Two-Part Question | Answer both questions in the prompt | Intro → Answer Q1 → Answer Q2 → Conclusion |
Task 2 marking criteria
Task 2 uses the same four criteria as Task 1 (each worth 25%), but “Task Achievement” becomes “Task Response” — which additionally assesses whether you address all parts of the question, present a clear position, and develop your ideas with relevant examples and explanations.
Scoring: How the Writing Band Is Calculated
Your Writing band score is an average of Task 1 and Task 2, with Task 2 weighted double. Each task is scored independently on all four criteria, producing a raw average per task. The final Writing band is then calculated roughly as:
Writing Band ≈ (Task 1 score + Task 2 score × 2) ÷ 3
Scores are reported in whole and half bands (e.g. 6.0, 6.5, 7.0). This means a strong Task 2 can compensate for a weaker Task 1 more than the reverse.
Time Management Strategy
| Phase | Task 1 (20 min) | Task 2 (40 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | 3 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Writing | 14 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Review & edit | 3 minutes | 5 minutes |
Many candidates run out of time on Task 2 because they spend too long on Task 1. Start with whichever task you find easier, but enforce your time limit strictly.
Band-by-Band Expectations
| Band | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| 5.0–5.5 | Addresses the task but incompletely. Limited vocabulary, frequent errors, unclear organisation. |
| 6.0–6.5 | Addresses all parts of the task. Adequate vocabulary and grammar with some errors. Clear overall progression. |
| 7.0–7.5 | Clear position throughout. Good range of vocabulary and structures. Logical paragraphing. Few errors. |
| 8.0+ | Fully developed response. Wide range of vocabulary used precisely. Rare minor errors only. |
Explore More Writing Resources
- Academic Writing = 60 minutes, two tasks, no choice.
- Task 1 (150+ words) = describe visual data. Task 2 (250+ words) = write an essay.
- Task 2 is worth double — prioritise it in preparation and on test day.
- Every response is marked on four equally weighted criteria: Task Achievement/Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
- An overview paragraph is essential in Task 1; without it, you cannot score above Band 5 on Task Achievement.
- Know the five Task 2 question types — each requires a different essay structure.