What is the structure of IELTS Writing exam?

IELTS is an exam that tests the English language proficiency of those who use it as a second language with 4 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. In which, for many people, Writing is the most "sweet" skill, today let's learn the structure of Writing IELTS with DOLand see if this skill is really as difficult as rumored!

1. IELTS Writing exam structure

1.1 Exam format 

• Form 1:

     ↳ IELTS Academic (IELTS Academic) is a test format suitable for individuals who have the goal of studying abroad or some other academic purpose.

     ↳ IELTS Academic is designed to assess whether test takers are ready and knowledgeable enough to study or study in English. Specifically for high-level study such as at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

• Form 2:

     ↳ IELTS General (IELTS General) is a test suitable for those who want to settle down or work abroad.

     ↳ IELTS General test format is suitable for candidates who are preparing to migrate to English-speaking countries to complete high school or vocational training. Or take part in non-university training courses, or eventually settle down.

Those who are suitable for IELTS Academic and IELTS General certificates

	IELTS Academic	IELTS General
Listening	Students listened to 4 audio recordings and answered 40 pre-written questions with topics around everyday life and academic topics.
Speaking	Consists of 3 parts: Introduce yourself and then the examiner will raise the issue and ask the contestant to explain, as well as state his or her point of view.
Reading	Consists of 3 long texts extracted from magazines, newspapers, etc.	Consists of 5-6 paragraphs extracted from announcements, advertisements, handbooks, etc., documents that appear every day in an English-speaking environment.
Writing	Part 1 candidates are required to write a paragraph of 150 words describing data tables, graphs, etc.Part 2 candidates are required to write a 250-word essay expressing their opinion on a given issue.	Part 1 candidates are asked to write an answer to the situation, most commonly a letter.Part 2 candidates write essays on common topics (family, culture, …).

IELTS Academic vs IELTS General test format comparison table

1.2 Structure of the IELTS Writing test

• Exam time: 60 minutes
• Structure of Writing IELTS – Academic: Consists of 2 parts.

     Part 1: Structure of IELTS Writing Task 1 will ask you to write a summary of at least 150 words describing a particular graph (column, line or pie chart), table or process (how it works). , the implementation of a certain object).

This section is used to test your ability to select and report key features. Or use sentence structures in Writing IELTS to describe and compare data. From there determine importance and trends or describe a process.

     ↳ Part 2: Ask candidates to write at least 250 words. This section will introduce a topic and candidates will be assessed on their ability to present and explain an opinion, a certain point of view. And use arguments, knowledge, grammar, and examples to support your point of view.

• Structure of IELTS Writing – General: The IELTS Writing General test consists of 2 parts based on topics of interest.

     ↳ Part 1: Structure of Writing IELTS General Task 1 will give a situation. Candidates will have to write a letter asking for information or giving an explanation for the situation. Unlike IELTS Academic, this letter can be written in an informal, casual or formal style.

     ↳ Part 2: The IELTS Writing Task 2 structure of the General form will look like the Academic one.

IELTS Writing ACADEMIC AND GENERAL are both structured in 2 parts

2. 4 scoring criteria for IELTS Writing

In the above content, DOL has shared with you the IELTS Writing structure of 2 forms of IELTS Academic and IELTS General. Next here will be the scoring criteria in the IELTS Writing test, stay tuned!

2.1 Task Achievement

This is the criterion used to evaluate whether the candidate's essay has answered the question correctly. Also consider whether the main idea in the article makes sense.

To earn points on the Task Achievement criterion , you need:

• Answer all the ideas introduced in the topic
• Effective implementation of ideas based on problem focus
• Articles with at least 250 words

The candidate's IELTS writing test needs to be at least 250 words

2.2 Coherence And Cohesion

This criterion evaluates the coherence of the article based on checking the grammatical structure, sentence structure, the connection between sentences and paragraphs together.

To score in the Coherence And Cohesion criteria , you need:

• Articles must have 4-5 paragraphs
• The arguments must be arranged in a logical and logical order
• Must use words that are contextually correct and reasonable

One of the most common mistakes candidates make when writing essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to start writing right away. If you use the writing style of starting to write before thinking about what you are going to say, there is a high chance that your essay is inconsistent and irrelevant to the answer to the task given.

The candidate's IELTS writing structure needs 4-5 paragraphs

2.3 Lexical Resource

In IELTS Writing section, this criterion is used to assess how candidates use vocabulary and paraphrasing .

To score for the Lexical Resource criterion , you need:

• Use words, grammar and phrases flexibly
• Avoid making spelling mistakes
• Do not use colloquial words

Need to avoid spelling mistakes in IELTS Writing test to get a high score

2.4 Grammatical Range And Accuracy

For this criterion, the examiner will assess the variety and accuracy of sentence structures while writing. At the same time, candidates must also pay attention to the use of tenses in accordance with the given context.

To score for the Grammatical Range And Accuracy criteria , you need:

• Use tenses in a varied and correct way
• Avoid making basic grammar mistakes like articles, verb conjugations, uncountable nouns, word order in sentences.
• Use diverse and accurate sentence structures in Writing IELTS

4 scoring criteria for IELTS Writing test

Read more about the assessment criteria and scoring for the IELTS Writing test in the following documents:

3. Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to do all sections of the IELTS test on the same day?

The Listening, Reading and Writing sections are conducted on the same day. At some test centers, the Speaking test will be administered on the same day, or up to 7 days before or after the exam date of the 3 skills above.

Is it possible to do all parts of the IELTS test on a computer?

If taking the IELTS test on a computer, the Listening, Reading and Writing sections of the IELTS test are completed on a computer, while the Speaking test is done face-to-face with an IELTS examiner.

Above are DOL's sharing about the structure of IELTS Writing as well as some notes in the review process to be able to conquer Writing skills with a high band score. Hope that will help you to complete this exam better.

If you have any questions about the IELTS Writing structure or other questions related to IELTS, please contact DOL. We are always ready to answer and assist you for free. Good luck with your studies and get the results you want!