Writing Test Information

1. The total test duration is 60 minutes; during this time, you must complete both tasks, Task 1 and Task 2. It depends upon how to manage time effectively and finish both on time.
2. The module is divided into subtasks task 1 and task 2, where the General test has letter writing and a report on a chart for academics for task 1. Task 2 is the same for both types of tests.
3. Task 1 contributes approximately 33% of your writing score, while Task 2 contributes 66%.
4. The writing is assessed on four parameters with equal weightage:
   • Task achievement: how well the candidate has addressed the task and answered the questions.
   • coherence and cohesion: It tests the flow of answers and how the ideas are linked.
   • Lexical Resource: The range and accuracy of the used vocabulary.
   • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It measures the use of correct and various grammatical structures

Difference Between General and Academic Writing Tests

Task 1:

              Academic: It focuses on writing a report on visual data, requiring more formal language.

              General: It is letter writing, allowing semi-formal and informal language.

Task 2: is an essay written for academic and general IELTS tests, with only the difference of the topics.

              Academic: It focuses on formal and abstract topics. Example: With modernization comes the loss of individual cultural identity; what is your opinion on this?

              General:  It is more about general everyday issues. Example: Do you agree or disagree that living in a nuclear or joint family is better?

How to start preparing for writing:

1. Understand the format and structure of each task, such as the word limit and the purpose of each task.
2. Learn and practice a wide range of vocabulary used for different questions in both tasks.
3. Practice using different types of sentences and grammatical structures accurately and precisely.
4. Learn and practice planning each task before starting to write, and spend at least 1 minute planning your essay.
5. Remember, you must write both task 1 and task 2 within 60 minutes, so practice time management.
6. All words are counted separately; for example, “a” is counted as one word, and number is counted as one word.

Exam day tips:

1. Be prepared for the exam pattern, which is that the writing test will be conducted last after listening and reading with no breaks, so be mentally prepared for it.
2. Understand the task requirements and instructions thoroughly before starting.
3.  Always stick to the topic and answer precisely what the question asks.
4. Spend at least 1 minute to plan each task before writing to organize your thoughts effectively.
5. Keep an eye on the clock to ensure you have enough time to complete both tasks. Generally, it is advised to spend at most 20 mins on task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2.
6. Ensure you stay within the word count limit for both tasks.
7. If you are stuck at one point, do not spend too much time on it; move on to the next point.