IELTS academic writing syllabus
Two tasks in 60 minutes, both compulsory. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing band, which is the single most important fact about this module and the one candidates most often plan around badly. The IELTS Academic syllabus hub page covers the other modules.
Pattern
| Task | What you write | Minimum words | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | A description of visual information: a graph, table, chart or diagram | 150 | About 20 minutes |
| Task 2 | A discussion of a point of view, argument or problem | 250 | About 40 minutes |
Both tasks must be written in connected prose. Notes and bullet points are penalised. Writing below the minimum is penalised, and writing far above it costs time without adding marks.
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Assessment criteria
Each task is assessed on four criteria. Three are shared and the first one differs between the tasks, which is a distinction routinely blurred in preparation material.
| Task 1 | Task 2 |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement | Task Response |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Coherence and Cohesion |
| Lexical Resource | Lexical Resource |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
Task 1 topics
- Line graphs showing change over time
- Bar charts and column charts comparing categories
- Pie charts showing proportions, often two compared against each other
- Tables of figures
- Process diagrams showing stages in a natural or manufacturing process
- Maps showing a place at two points in time
- Combined tasks pairing two of the above on the same subject
Task 1 asks you to select and report the main features and make comparisons. Explaining why the data looks as it does is outside the task and earns nothing.
Task 2 question types
- Opinion: to what extent do you agree or disagree
- Discussion: discuss both views and give your own opinion
- Problem and solution
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Two part questions asking for a direct answer to each part
What is not in the syllabus
- No multiple choice element
- No creative or narrative writing
- No letter writing in the Academic version. That belongs to General Training Task 1
- No specialist knowledge. Task 2 topics are of general interest
- No fixed essay template that examiners reward
- No negative marking
How to spend the time
Hold to 20 minutes and 40 minutes. A candidate who overruns on Task 1 is spending their best minutes on the task worth half as much.
Spend five of the Task 2 minutes planning. A clear position stated in the introduction and held to the end does more for Task Response than any amount of vocabulary.
For Task 1, write an overview sentence that states the overall trend before any detail. Scripts without one are capped on Task Achievement regardless of how accurate the figures are.
Count your words once, early in practice, until you know what 150 and 250 look like in your own handwriting or typing. Counting in the exam wastes minutes. Browse the available IELTS Academic practice papers.
Common mistakes
- Giving Task 1 and Task 2 equal time, when Task 2 is worth double
- Writing under the word minimum
- Leaving Task 2 unfinished because Task 1 overran
- Explaining the causes behind the data in Task 1, which the task does not ask for
- Omitting the overview sentence in Task 1
- Memorising whole paragraphs, which examiners are trained to identify
- Using bullet points or note form
- Switching position halfway through a Task 2 essay
Task 1 against Task 2
| Feature | Task 1 | Task 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum words | 150 | 250 |
| Suggested time | About 20 minutes | About 40 minutes |
| Weighting | Counts once | Counts twice |
| First criterion | Task Achievement | Task Response |
| Input | A graph, table, chart or diagram | A statement, argument or problem |
| Your opinion | Not required | Usually required |
Frequently asked questions
How long is the IELTS Writing module?
Sixty minutes for both tasks together, with about 20 minutes suggested for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2.
Does Task 2 really count more than Task 1?
Yes. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing band.
What happens if I write fewer than the minimum words?
You are penalised. The minimums are 150 for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2.
Is there a maximum word count?
No, but writing far over the minimum uses time you need for the other task and does not earn extra marks.
What are the four Writing criteria?
Task Achievement in Task 1 or Task Response in Task 2, then Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
Can I use bullet points?
No. Both tasks must be written in connected prose.
Is Academic Writing different from General Training?
Task 1 differs. Academic describes visual information, General Training asks for a letter. Task 2 is an essay in both, with the same word minimums and weighting.
Should I give my opinion in Task 1?
No. Task 1 asks you to report and compare what the visual shows.
Do I need an overview in Task 1?
Yes. A script without a clear overview of the main trend is limited on Task Achievement.
Can I retake only the Writing module?
Yes, through One Skill Retake, if the original was a computer delivered test and the retake happens within 60 days. Only one retake is allowed per original test.