Quick answer: IELTS Writing has two tasks and both are scored on the same four criteria - Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy - each marked from 0 to 9 and weighted equally. To raise your band you need to answer the exact task, organise your ideas into clear paragraphs, and write accurate, varied English. Task 2 (the essay) is worth two-thirds of your Writing score, so a repeatable four-paragraph structure is the single most useful thing to master. This hub explains how the whole Writing test is marked and links to a step-by-step guide for every part of it.
Not sure what band your writing is at right now? Try the free IELTS band-score estimator for a quick, honest starting point.
How IELTS Writing is structured
The Writing test lasts 60 minutes and has two tasks that you complete in one sitting. What Task 1 asks depends on which version of IELTS you take:
- Academic Task 1 - you describe a chart, graph, table, map or process in at least 150 words (about 20 minutes).
- General Training Task 1 - you write a letter of at least 150 words (about 20 minutes).
- Task 2 - the same for both versions: an essay of at least 250 words responding to an argument or question (about 40 minutes).
Task 2 counts for two-thirds of your Writing band and Task 1 for one-third, so your time and your preparation should be split roughly the same way: give Task 2 the larger share.
The four marking criteria, in plain English
Both tasks are marked on four criteria, each scored from 0 to 9 and weighted equally - a quarter each. Understanding what each one rewards is the fastest route to a higher band.
1. Task Achievement / Task Response
Did you do exactly what the task asked, cover every part of it, and support your points? In Task 1 this means reporting the key features accurately (and, in Academic, the main trends or stages). In Task 2 it means answering the specific question, taking a clear position, and developing your ideas. A partial or off-topic answer caps this criterion no matter how polished your English is.
2. Coherence & Cohesion
Is your writing organised and easy to follow? Examiners want logical paragraphs - one clear idea each - and smooth linking between sentences. Cohesive devices such as "however", "as a result" and "for instance" help, but only when they read naturally. Cramming in linkers mechanically actually lowers this score.
3. Lexical Resource
Your vocabulary: its range, accuracy and appropriacy. You do not need rare, "impressive" words - you need precise ones used correctly, with some flexibility (collocations, paraphrasing). A common word used correctly beats a fancy word used wrongly every time.
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Your grammar: the variety of sentence structures and how error-free they are. Aim for a mix of simple and complex sentences a reader can follow without tripping over mistakes. Frequent errors that force the examiner to re-read pull this criterion down.
A reliable structure you can reproduce under pressure
You do not need a clever structure - you need a clear one you can reproduce when the clock is running. For the Task 2 essay, this four-paragraph shape works for almost every question:
- Introduction (2–3 sentences). Rephrase the question in your own words, then state your position or say what the essay will cover. Make your answer unmistakable from the first paragraph.
- Body paragraph 1. State your first main idea in a topic sentence, explain why it is true, then support it with a specific example or consequence.
- Body paragraph 2. Do the same with a second, different main idea. One well-developed idea per paragraph beats three half-explained ones.
- Conclusion (1–2 sentences). Restate your position and briefly sum up your reasons. Add no new ideas.
For a full worked example, our step-by-step guide to writing a Task 2 essay walks through an original practice prompt from first sentence to conclusion.
Want a prompt to try under timed conditions? Use the free IELTS practice test.
Explore the Writing cluster
Whatever part of the Writing test is holding your band back, there is a focused guide for it:
- How to Write an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Step by Step) - a repeatable four-paragraph method with a worked example.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): Describing Charts and Graphs - a data-language toolkit for reporting trends.
- IELTS Writing Task 1 (General Training): Letter Writing Guide - formal, semi-formal and informal registers with opening and closing lines.
- The IELTS Writing Band Descriptors Explained (Plain English) - the four criteria decoded for real writers.
- 12 Common IELTS Writing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them) - each mistake mapped to the criterion it costs.
- How to Go From Band 6 to Band 7 in IELTS Writing - the specific gap between a 6 and a 7 on each criterion.
How to actually improve your Writing band
Improvement comes from feedback, not just repetition - writing more essays with the same hidden errors only cements them. A simple weekly loop works well: write one timed answer, check it against the four criteria above (or get it marked), identify the single biggest recurring weakness, and target only that in your next piece. Most people find one or two criteria are quietly capping their score; fixing those is what moves a 6 to a 7.
The fastest way to find which of the four criteria is holding your band back is to have a real tutor mark your writing. Get individual, criterion-by-criterion feedback through GE's IELTS Writing Feedback service.
Frequently asked questions
How is IELTS Writing scored?
Each task is marked on four criteria - Task Achievement/Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy - each from 0 to 9 and weighted equally. Task 2 counts for two-thirds of your Writing band and Task 1 for one-third, and the two combine into a single Writing score from 0 to 9.How long is the IELTS Writing test?
Sixty minutes for both tasks together. The advice is to spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 (at least 150 words) and about 40 minutes on Task 2 (at least 250 words), because Task 2 is worth more.What is the difference between Academic and General Training Writing?
Task 2 is essentially the same essay in both. The difference is Task 1: Academic asks you to describe a chart, graph, map or process, while General Training asks you to write a letter. The four marking criteria are the same for both.What is a good IELTS Writing score?
It depends on your goal. Many universities ask for band 6.5 or 7.0 in Writing, and some visa and registration routes require 7.0 or higher. Check the exact requirement for your course, employer or visa, then aim a half-band above it to give yourself a margin.Why is my IELTS Writing band lower than my other scores?
Writing is the most common skill to lag behind because it is marked on production, not recognition - small, repeated errors in grammar, task response or organisation add up. The four criteria are averaged, so a weakness in just one can pull the whole task down. Targeted feedback is usually the quickest fix.Can I improve my IELTS Writing band on my own?
Partly. You can learn structure, timing and the criteria yourself, but it is hard to spot your own recurring errors. Combining self-study with occasional expert feedback on a real, timed essay is far more efficient than writing dozens of essays that repeat the same mistakes.Passing IELTS is often the first step to a bigger goal. If yours is to teach English abroad, an accredited TEFL/TESOL qualification is the usual next move - see GE's TEFL courses when you are ready.
Every example prompt in this guide is original writing for GE and does not reproduce any real exam question.