Procedure of the test

• The Writing Test is the third test you encounter on the IELTS exam day. You are given a card with the two tasks. One task is shown on each side of the card. You can make notes on the card but it will not be seen by the examiner. You are also given an answer sheet. Your answers must be written on the answer sheet and must be written in full essay style. Notes or bullet points, even in part, will be not accepted as answers.
• The Listening part takes 60 minutes.

Structure of the IELTS writing test

There are 2 writing tasks you have to complete.

• Task 1
  In the Task 1, you have to write at least 150 words. It is suggested that the time you spent on the Task 1 is about 20 minutes. Don't write less than the required minimum word limit, your score will be penalised.
  
  This task will test your ability to describe and interpret graphic data or describe the steps of a procedure, or describe an object or event.
  
  On the question card, there will be graphic or pictorial information given and you have to write a description of this information. Graphic or pictorial information includes Bar charts, pie chart, line graphs, tables of data, diagrams, and a flow chart. Also, you might also see a combination of information such as graphs and charts.
  
  
  
  
• Task 2
  In Task 2, you have to write at least 250 words and should take about 40 minutes. This task will test your ability to present opinions with supporting ideas, write argument statements. Again, don't write less than the required minimum word limit, you will lose marks. Please note that this task has more weight in scoring than Task 1.
  
  On the question card, you will see a discussion topic. The question will either provide you an opinion or an argument. Your task is to write a short essay discussing the question. Your answer should have at least 2 - 3 main reasons and supporting ideas for each of your reasons.
  
  See a sample of this test at IELTSonline Free Practice Tests.