IELTS Writing practice tests
60 min · 2 tasks · Essay + Graph/Letter · Academic & General Training
IELTS Writing is a 60-minute module with 2 tasks. Academic Task 1 asks you to describe a graph or chart (150+ words); General Training Task 1 is a formal letter. Task 2 in both versions is a 250-word argumentative essay worth double the marks of Task 1.
All IELTS Writing practice tests
Writing Practice Test 1
Writing Practice Test 2
Writing Practice Test 3: General Training
Writing Practice Test 4: General Training
Writing Practice Test 5: Academic
Writing Practice Test 6: General Training
Writing Practice Test 7: Academic
Writing Practice Test 8: General Training
Writing Practice Test 9
Writing Practice Test 11
Writing Practice Test 12
Writing Practice Test 13
Writing Practice Test 14
Writing Practice Test 15
Writing Practice Test 16
Writing Practice Test 17
Writing Practice Test 18
Writing Practice Test 19
Writing Practice Test 20
Writing Practice Test 21
Writing Practice Test 22
Writing Practice Test 23
About IELTS Writing and how to practise it
IELTS Writing has two tasks in 60 minutes. Task 1 needs at least 150 words in about 20 minutes: a description of a graph, table, map or process in Academic, or a letter in General Training. Task 2 needs at least 250 words in about 40 minutes and is an essay on a given topic. Task 2 carries more weight.
Writing is marked by an examiner on four criteria: task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy. These practice tests do not score automatically, so use the notes on each page to judge your own answer.
How to use these tests
- Write under timed conditions, then compare your answer with the notes for that question.
- Plan for two minutes before writing: overview and details for Task 1, position and two main ideas for Task 2.
- Keep a list of your repeated errors and check for them before you finish.
- Ask a teacher or friend to read one answer a week and say where it is unclear.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out an overview in Task 1.
- Not answering every part of the Task 2 question.
- Memorising a template that does not fit the topic.
Related: speaking flashcards, writing flashcards, band score calculator, vocabulary flashcards, band scores explained, IELTS guides.
Frequently Asked Questions about IELTS Writing
What is IELTS Writing Task 2?
IELTS Writing Task 2 is a 250-word argumentative essay worth double the marks of Task 1. You are given a statement or question and must present a clear argument with examples. You have 40 minutes for Task 2 and 20 minutes for Task 1.
What band score do I need in IELTS Writing for university?
Most UK and Australian universities require a minimum IELTS Writing band score of 6.0 to 7.0. Some programs, like law or medicine, may require 7.0 or above in Writing specifically. Check requirements with your target institution.
Pair your practice with a clear plan.