IELTS Academic test assesses your English-language proficiency at an academic level to determine whether you are ready to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate level or work in a professional setting as a doctor, nurse, teacher or lawyer, for example.
A quick look at the IELTS Academic Writing test
Duration: 60 minutes
The IELTS Academic Writing test is made up of two tasks. The topics in these tasks reflect aspects of academic language and are suitable for test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style.
Task 1
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and present data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object, plan or design.
Task 2
You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You should support your point of view with relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Summarising facts or figures from graphic information
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, you will be shown some visual information, which could include one or more of the following:
Table
Chart
Process
Graph
Map
You will need to summarise the visual information by selecting and reporting the main features you see and making comparisons where relevant. This is essentially an information transfer task – the visual information you are given needs to be presented in the form of text.
To complete the task successfully, you will need to:
Write an introduction
Write an overview (a summary of what you see)
Present and highlight the key features with figures (data)
You will need to write a minimum of 150 words using appropriate paragraphs with full sentences - no bullet points or notes!
Writing an essay
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, an argument or a problem. Essays should be written in an academic or semi-formal style. Topics are about relevant issues and focus on a particular aspect of the topic. For example, if the topic is about computers, the focus will be on a particular aspect of computers rather than writing about computers in general.
The task instructions give you information about the question telling you how to discuss the topic in your essay. You may be asked to provide factual information, outline and present solutions, justify an opinion or evaluate evidence and ideas. It is important that you complete the task carefully using relevant ideas and examples to support your position. Your ideas should be organised clearly, using paragraphs for each main idea. You must write a minimum of 250 words.
You are assessed on your ability to follow English essay-writing conventions to organise and link information in a coherent way using language accurately and appropriately to express your ideas and opinions.
Sample questions
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 samples with answer sheet
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 samples with answer sheet
Can I retake IELTS Writing only?
Yes, IELTS now allows the retaking of one section per test. You're eligible to book IELTS One Skill Retake after you have recently completed a full test on Computer and received your IELTS test score, from an eligible test centre. You must book your IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of your original test date.
IELTS Writing sample answers
Looking for IELTS Writing sample answers? With IELTS Prepare, you have access to a range of preparation materials at your fingertips: from practice tests, sample answers, videos and articles to expert assessments, online courses, webinars and more.