IELTS Writing: Word Count and Time Duration Requirements

Sep 15, 2021

The writing section of IELTS is considered one of the most crucial ones as it assesses the performance of the international candidate planning to pursue their degree in English speaking nations. To excel in this section, candidates need to gather knowledge about the required word count and time duration apart from practicing for IELTS writing.

It must be noted that examiners also notice the time-management skills of the candidates as it is an equally important skill in real-life. The IELTS writing section analyzes the knowledge level through two types of tasks:

IELTS Writing Task 1: This requires the candidate to study a chart/diagram/table/graph or a sequence of all and produce an essay including all the relevant information.
IELTS Writing Task 2: This requires the candidate to pen down a discursive essay as a response to a question or statement pertaining to arts/science/world/technology/general and more topics.

Both of these IELTS writing tasks not only notice the English language knowledge but also their placement of it.

Tasks	Duration	Word Count
IELTS Writing Task 1	20 minutes	150
IELTS Writing Task 2	40 minutes	250

Though there is no upper limit to the word count candidates are advised to not exceed in an excess manner as that might cost them time. Generally, the word count should be 150 - 180 for IELTS writing task 1 and 250 - 300 for IELTS writing task 2.

NOTE: Writing lesser than the instructed word limit will cost marks.

Also, Check:

Average Consumption Of Food - IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer	Different Categories of Family - IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer	Market Share of Mobile Manufactures - IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer
University Entry Procedure - IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer	Water Usage in Australia - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Sample	Production of Oil - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Sample Answer
Income Inequality - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer	Economic Growth - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer	Businesses Social Responsibility - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer
Students living away from home - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer	Children and Television Nowadays - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer	Preservation of Historic Buildings - IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Preparation Tips

To avoid any kind of mistake, while solving IELTS practice papers, note the count of words in each line, and accordingly, you will understand the required number of words to meet 150 - 180 words;
Always allow yourself 6 - 7 minutes for arrangement, 30 minutes for writing, and 3 - 4 minutes scanning for mistakes;
If confused about which task to opt for first, go for IELTS writing task 1 as its completion will lend a feeling of achievement;

The IELTS writing word count and time distribution state that task 2 carries double the score than that of task 1. The total IELTS score is then calculated on the band score of 1 - 9. Therefore, if the test-taker writes less in any one of the tasks, they’re going to lose marks.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.