English Learning Studio
Task Achievement / Response
Whether you've fully answered the question, covered all parts of the prompt, and (for Task 1) accurately summarized the key data or situation.
IELTS Writing · Preparation Guide
IELTS Writing Preparation: Task 1, Task 2 & Real Band Scoring
A complete guide to preparing for IELTS Writing — how Task 1 and Task 2 differ, how examiners actually score your work, and why line-by-line feedback matters more than a general impression.
Task 1 & Task 2
Academic & General Training
Line-by-line feedback
Band descriptor scoring
Written by Bakhtawar Durrani, Founder — CELTA, TESOL & IELTS certified · Last updated Aug 2026
The 4 scoring criteria
How Is IELTS Writing Actually Marked?
Coherence & Cohesion
Logical paragraphing, clear progression of ideas, and appropriate use of linking words — without mechanically overusing connectors.
Lexical Resource
Range and precision of vocabulary, including topic-specific terms and natural paraphrasing of the question.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences used correctly, with control over tense, articles, and punctuation.
Task breakdown
What's Actually Different Between Task 1 and Task 2?
| Task 1 | Task 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic version | Describe a chart, graph, table, or diagram | Argumentative or discursive essay |
| General Training version | Write a letter (formal / semi-formal / informal) | Argumentative or discursive essay |
| Minimum words | 150 | 250 |
| Suggested time | 20 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Weight in Writing band | 1/3 | 2/3 |
Why it's hard
Why Do So Many Students Plateau on Writing?
Writing is the module where self-study breaks down fastest. You can tell if your Listening or Reading answer is right or wrong immediately, but Writing needs feedback against the actual band descriptors — a native-sounding paragraph can still be capped at Band 5 for Task Achievement if it doesn't fully address the question. Most students preparing on their own get a "good" or "needs improvement" verdict with no idea which of the four criteria is actually holding them back. For the minute-by-minute exam strategy, see our Writing time management guide, and for common scoring traps, see our IELTS Writing tips.
How we prepare you
What Does Writing Coaching Involve Here?
Writing coaching is part of our full IELTS Preparation program in Karachi, and can also be weighted more heavily in your sessions if Writing is your weakest module. Every Task 1 and Task 2 sample you submit is marked line by line against the four official band descriptors, so you know exactly which sentences and structures are costing you marks — not just an overall impression.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Writing Task 1 in Academic and General Training?
Academic Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, table, or diagram. General Training Task 1 asks you to write a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) responding to a given situation. Task 2 — the essay — is similar in both versions.
How is IELTS Writing scored?
Both tasks are marked on four equally weighted criteria: Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Task 2 counts for twice the marks of Task 1 in your overall Writing band.
How many words should I write for Task 1 and Task 2?
Minimum 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing under the limit costs marks directly; going somewhat over is fine as long as it's relevant and well-organized — padding with irrelevant content isn't.
Why is IELTS Writing considered the hardest module for most students?
Because it's scored on precise, specific criteria rather than general impression, and most self-study students never get feedback against those actual criteria — they just get told their writing is 'good' or 'needs work' without knowing which of the four areas is capping their band.
How much time should I spend on each task in the real exam?
About 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2, out of the 60 minutes total. See our guide to IELTS Writing time management for a full minute-by-minute breakdown.
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free assessment call and we'll recommend the right plan for your goals.