9 Superb Ways to Improve Your Score in IELTS Writing Test Task 1/2

Don’t you think that the IELTS exam can make your life bright and sparkling? Do you want to study or work in the most incredible countries of the world with richness in personality? Have you ever given an attempt at this exam? Do you feel the IELTS writing section is the hardest to crack? Well, all of these questions can be solved very easily.

You don’t need to worry at all because you are not alone in this. Seven out of ten candidates feel IELTS writing is quite challenging. Writing seems challenging because everything depends upon your level and way of thinking, your vocabulary and grammar are checked deeply, and the precision is measured.

Many people find this test easy but when it comes to writing, they withdraw their steps because everyone can’t write perfectly according to the level of this test. You can be different and comfortable with the writing section if you read this article.

This article is all about letting you know how you can actually improve your IELTS writing test score. Before we move ahead, let us understand the marking criteria of the writing section in IELTS. So, let’s begin the success journey to the IELTS paper.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 1 Topic Asking Friend to Look After Home: Checkout this Sample Topic and Model Answers

How does IELTS Mark Your Writing?

The marking criteria are the most important aspect to know because you can answer adequately if you are completely aware of this sphere. If you know the criteria on which you are marked, then 25% of your job is done. All then left are you focussing on those areas to get better.

So, you should acknowledge the below-written marking criteria to provide the most promising answers in the paper. Marking criteria enables you to prepare appropriately for each section. Let’s have a look below.

Note that your IELTS Writing section consists of two tasks. Task one needs to be written in 150 words whereas task 2 asks for at least 250 words. Check pdf 1 and pdf 2 for an idea of how your writing exam question paper would look like.

Tips for Improving Your IELTS Academic Writing Score

Well, tips are an extremely significant and worthy aspect of this test. Tips are necessary to let you know about the most challenging and most easy aspects of the paper. You can begin your preparation according to the tips.

Overall, tips provide the candidates with a framework for their preparation journey. It enables them to know what to do and how to do it. Now let us move on to the tried and tested methods of improving your IELTS writing score.

Many tips are given below that will make you confident and comfortable with the IELTS exam. It will give you the information of the beginning and perfect structure of your answers to impress the examiners and fetch high scores.

Read the Passage Carefully

This is an utmost important thing because if you don’t read perfectly, you can’t answer the questions with precision. All the candidates should ensure a quintessential reading of the passage. There is absolutely no alternative to careful reading of a passage. Note the tone of the passage and keep a tab of the keywords. This will help you process the meaning of the text. You will understand every detail and become proficient in giving the answer.

Make Sure You Understand it Well

Understanding is very significant. If you don’t understand the given passage or topic, you will tend towards making a mistake. The more carefully you read the passage, the easier it will be to understand it. It is important to understand the point-of-view, tone, and bias, if any, of a text because these are the things you need to focus on, in your writing task 1/2.

So, first, read the instructions and passages carefully and then try to understand before starting writing. Don’t rush because without understanding you can go wrong. So, take your time to understand and then push yourself to write within the given time.

Also Read: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Topic Internet Replace Books: Sample Answer of Essay Question

Make a Rough Format of the Essay

A rough format helps you to formulate the ideas and execution of the thoughts becomes easy. This may sound like an additional hassle but once you have a clear idea of how to approach the topic, then it will be very easy for you to build upon that.

The rough format brings your ideas to the paper with ease and precision. You can first think and build the ideas and then can start writing. It will make your writing pace fast and you will be able to include all the best points.

Have a Fairly Well-rounded Idea about the Topic

The idea generation and execution are the prominent things for this paper. You need to think about the topic and build ideas and vocabulary or phrases to add to it to make it worthy for the readers. This will require prior preparation for the IELTS academic writing.

Spend some time with past papers and IELTS writing samples to get an idea about the kind of topics IELTS to focus on. Once you know that, read those kinds of books or articles. If you don’t read enough it is unlikely that you will have enough information to write about. Remember you must show the coherence of complex ideas in your writing.

Use a Range of Linking Words

Linking words is the easiest and the most grammatically stylistic device to connect ideas or sentences or phrases in a piece of writing. You must show the examiner a range of linking words that are appropriate to the context.

Be Careful of Misspelled Words and Grammar Errors

Nothing marks an essay bad, more than grammatical errors and misspelled words. You need to have a keen eye to make sure your sentences are grammatically and stylistically error-free and the spellings are absolutely correct.

Organize Everything within the Given Number of Words

Writing more than the given word count is equally bad as writing less. It will either show your lack of organizational skills or your lack of information. Either way, it is a huge disadvantage. Therefore, make sure you round up the entire discussion within the allotted number of words.

Consider Getting a Personal Mentor

Preparing for IELTS writing requires constant improvement through professional feedback. You cannot go on practicing mindlessly, without anyone telling you where to improve. Remember it is a cyclic process, where you write, get your writing checked, work on your mistakes or drawbacks and write again. If you do not have a mentor, achieving higher bands will be impossible.

Proofread

Finished writing needs to be proofread, so as to remove any silly mistake that can otherwise cause a deduction in marks. You need to have eyes like a hawk in order to successfully proofread what you wrote. Only a 100% error-free answer script should be submitted.

Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Test

The preparation of IELTS writing is perhaps the most time-consuming. It also comes with common mistakes. Here are a few mistakes that you should totally avoid if you are aiming at a high score:

Using Special Words Unnecessarily to Showcase Your Vocabulary

IELTS is not a platform where you demonstrate your knowledge of the English lexicon. Rather, it is all about using only the words that are relevant to the topic given. Choosing words/phrases that are out of context, takes out the weight from your essay. While writing, care must be taken to ensure that the vocabulary is appropriate for the topic.

Quoting Random Reports

The essays in IELTS ask you to elaborate your opinions and ideas on general topics and social issues. They require your observations and your understanding of trends in that matter. Quoting random reports robs your essay of its originality. Make sure you only discuss the facts and figures and not put them inside inverted commas!

Also Read: Recent Exam Question in IELTS Writing Task 2: Check Out the Best Techniques to Write Perfectly for Band 8

Not having Concrete Ideas

It’s true that language quality is the primary focus but it should always be remembered that it is the idea that constructs your essay. While you are free to be as opinionated as possible, it is necessary to have concrete ideas.

Time Matters

Well, if you are preparing for the test, you must be quite clear about the importance of time management. You need to use your time wisely in all the sections of the test. You are given 60 minutes to complete this entire section.

You should understand that writing task 2 gives you more scoring opportunities, so you should give more time to that section. In the practice tests, make a habit to complete this section before 60 minutes. Also, include the time of thinking and planning in this time.

Practicing more IELTS Writing Sample and Past Papers to Ensure a High Score

Essay writing is not a discipline. It is a skill that needs to be mastered. Whatever level you are in, if you keep writing, again and again, it will not help you make the cut. In order to achieve a high score, you need to spend more time analyzing your mistakes and working on them.

Going Over the Top with Linking Words

A Linking word can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you use it. While it is a wonderful tool to add coherence to your writing, it can ruin your entire essay if you overuse it. Do not use connectives, where several short sentences can work.

Word Limit

Word limit is essential to acknowledge and keep in mind while writing. You should plan and execute your ideas according to the given word limit. You should write a minimum of 150 words for task 1 whereas task 2 requires 250 words. So, think according to the word limit and count the words at the end. You are considered a good and effective writer if you meet all the requirements.

Inserting Idioms Unnecessarily

Do not show that you are a genius of the English language, rather use potential and significant words, phrases, and idioms, etc to support your sentence. Scattering idioms throughout your essay only makes it culturally unsound. Remember your essay should represent you, your ideas, opinions, and your culture.

Also Read: How to Prepare For IELTS Writing Task 1 General? Here’s the Best Guide For you to Deal With the Writing Task 1

Using Lengthy and Wordy Sentences

The length of a sentence does not justify your command over a language. In fact, long sentences sound unnecessarily wordy and complicated. You can use complex sentences to express your ideas but do not turn them into an endless line of gibberish!

Writing in Passive Voice Only

Passive voice gives the content an imperative and direct approach to the readers. If you use active voice, it can confuse the examiner or will give them wrong concoctions about different elements in your write-up.

Remember passive voice focuses on the action, whereas, Active voice focuses on the person behind the action. You need to choose one, depending on your needs. You should understand the requirements and urge or both the voices to showcase your ideas and perceptions with clarity.

Also Read: How to Describe Pie Chart in IELTS Writing Task 1? Learn the Best Way

Conclusion

We hope that the article has given you all the answers to your queries along with enlightening your mind with the best tips. The article has been written to show the importance of writing as well as to increase your capability of performance in the examination.

Improving your performance in the IELTS writing test requires full dedication. The best way is to get a personal trainer who can assess your progress and give regular feedback.

If you agree to this point, the only platform to give you the best preparation is IELTS Ninja. Why? Well, it is normal to think that you should visit this website over all the others. You must visit this website because of the most authentic and detailed articles available there.

The articles are presented related to each section of the test, different preparation methods, descriptions of several universities of the world, and the requirements and updates of the exams. It is a complete package of knowledge for all the candidates.

Moreover, the experts are always there to provide you with aids to your confusion. You can get the online video lectures taken by the experts. Have strategies, understand the examiner’s expectations, and go ahead with the help of the best professionals! All the best.