ScoreFluentIELTS Writing, task by task.
Two tasks in 60 minutes: at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 for Task 2. Task 2 contributes twice as much to your Writing band, and examiners mark each task on four criteria. Task 1 differs between Academic and General Training; Task 2 is the same kind of essay on both.
Checked 15 and 16 October 2026 against ielts.org. ScoreFluent is not affiliated with IELTS.
How long is IELTS Writing, and how many words do you need?
| Task | Academic | General Training | Length | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | Describe visual information in your own words: one or more graphs, charts or tables, or a diagram of an object, device, process or event | Write a letter responding to a situation, for example asking for information or explaining a problem. It may be personal, semi-formal or formal | At least 150 words | About 20 minutes |
| Task 2 | Discuss a point of view, argument or problem | Discuss a point of view, argument or problem | At least 250 words | About 40 minutes |
Both tasks must be completed. You must write in full sentences, not notes or bullet points, and on a computer-delivered test you type your answers. Source: IELTS Academic Writing format and General Training Writing format, checked 15 and 16 October 2026.
What is the difference between Academic and General Training Writing?
Task 1 differs
Academic Task 1 is a description of visual information in an academic or semi-formal, neutral style. General Training Task 1 is a letter whose register depends on the reader. Same minimum, same time.
Task 2 is the same kind of essay
Both give you a point of view, argument or problem and ask for at least 250 words. Academic asks for an academic or semi-formal/neutral style; General Training for a semi-formal/neutral one, on topics of general interest.
Marking is shared
Both versions use the same four criteria and the same double weighting for Task 2. Which version you sit is set by whoever receives your result; see the IELTS Academic and General Training guide.
How is IELTS Writing marked?
Certificated IELTS examiners assess each task independently on four criteria. The criteria are weighted equally, and the score on the task is their average. The glosses below are our paraphrase of IELTS’s descriptions.
| Criterion | What it looks at |
|---|---|
| Task achievement (Task 1) or task response (Task 2) | How accurately, appropriately and relevantly the response covers the task. In Task 2 this includes how well you develop your argument, with evidence and examples that may come from your own experience |
| Coherence and cohesion | How clear and fluent the writing is and how ideas and information are organised, including a logical order and appropriate linking |
| Lexical resource | The range of vocabulary and how accurately and appropriately it is used |
| Grammatical range and accuracy | The range of grammar and how accurately and appropriately it is used |
IELTS states that Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score. Read the full Writing band descriptors (PDF) to see what each band looks like, and how IELTS is scored for how the Writing band feeds the overall.
What happens if you write too little, too much or off topic?
IELTS says that if an answer is too short there may not be enough evidence of the language features needed to award higher bands. You will not be penalised for writing more than the minimum, but a long Task 1 may leave less time for Task 2, and a very long Task 2 may leave no time for checking.
You are penalised if what you write is not related to the topic, or is not written as a whole piece of connected text, meaning notes or bullet points. You are severely penalised if your writing is plagiarised, that is, copied from another source.
How should I split the 60 minutes?
The 20 and 40 minute guidance is IELTS’s; the plans below are ours.
Academic Task 1 — overview first
IELTS says Task 1 tests whether you can give a well-organised overview of the visual information. Spend your first two minutes choosing the two or three features that matter most and writing the overview sentence, then support it with data. For diagrams, IELTS says to include the most important points and that some minor details may be left out. Read the data again before you finish.
General Training Task 1 — three bullets, one register
The task gives three bullet points to cover, so tick them off as you write. Decide the register from who you are writing to: a friend gets a personal letter, a manager or a company a semi-formal or formal one. IELTS says you do not need to write any addresses.
Task 2 — plan before you write
Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1, so protect its 40 minutes. Use the first five to write your position in one sentence, then two main points with an example for each. Answer every part of the question: task response assesses how fully your answer covers what the task asks.
Leave time to check
IELTS warns that a very long Task 2 may leave no time for checking and correcting. Keep the last two or three minutes for a fixed list: did I answer the whole question, does each paragraph hold one idea, have I repeated the same word too often, do subjects and verbs agree.
How does ScoreFluent mark IELTS Writing?
Each Writing answer returns a practice estimate scored against the four published criteria, with feedback on the sentences that need work. Academic Task 1 covers charts, graphs, processes and maps, General Training Task 1 is a letter, and Task 2 is the same kind of essay on both. In a mock test, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1, as IELTS describes.
It is not an examiner’s mark and not an official IELTS score. New accounts start with 40 free credits, Writing reports cost credits per answer, and the pricing page has the current prices. The IELTS practice test guide covers the full mock test, which includes both Writing tasks.
Straight from the test owners.
ScoreFluent is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to IELTS, the British Council, IDP IELTS or Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Checked on 15 and 16 October 2026:
- IELTS Academic: Writing test format — tasks, minimum words, timing, the four criteria and the double weighting of Task 2.
- IELTS General Training: Writing test format — the letter task, its three bullet points and register.
- IELTS scoring in detail — how each task is assessed.
- Writing band descriptors (PDF) — the criteria at each band.
- IELTS Academic sample test questions and General Training sample test questions — official Writing sample tasks.
Exam details change. If a decision hangs on a detail here, check it against the official pages above first; they outrank this page.
Keep going: the IELTS guide, Speaking, Reading, Listening, scoring, every task type and the practice test guide.
IELTS Writing questions, answered.
How long is IELTS Writing?
IELTS Writing is 60 minutes with two tasks, and both must be completed. IELTS suggests about 20 minutes for Task 1 and about 40 minutes for Task 2.
How many words do I need to write in IELTS Writing?
At least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2. You will not be penalised for writing more, but a very long answer can leave you without time to check it.
What is IELTS Academic Writing Task 1?
You describe visual information in your own words: one or more graphs, charts or tables, or a diagram of an object, device, process or event. For a diagram, IELTS says to include the most important points, and some minor details may be left out.
What is IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?
You write a letter responding to a situation, such as asking for information or explaining a problem. The task gives three bullet points to cover, and the letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal depending on who you are writing to.
Is IELTS Writing Task 2 the same for Academic and General Training?
It is the same kind of task: you discuss a point of view, argument or problem in at least 250 words, in about 40 minutes. IELTS’s style guidance differs slightly, asking for an academic or semi-formal/neutral style in Academic and a semi-formal/neutral style in General Training.
How is IELTS Writing marked?
Certificated examiners mark each task on four criteria: task achievement or task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. The criteria are weighted equally and the task score is their average.
Does Task 2 count more than Task 1 in IELTS Writing?
Yes. IELTS states that Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score, so a weak essay costs more than a weak Task 1.
What happens if I write fewer than 150 or 250 words?
IELTS says a short answer may not give enough evidence of the language features needed to award higher bands. Staying under the minimum is therefore a risk even if what you wrote is good.
Can I use bullet points or notes in IELTS Writing?
No. IELTS says you must write in full sentences and not as notes or bullet points, and an answer that is not a whole piece of connected text is penalised. Plagiarised writing is severely penalised.
Does ScoreFluent mark IELTS Writing?
ScoreFluent returns a practice estimate for each Writing task, scored against the four published criteria with feedback on the sentences that need work. It is not an examiner’s mark and not an official IELTS score.
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