The academic IELTS writing test is divided into two parts, the first is a short report on a graph, table, chart, or diagram, and the second is an essay. These two parts are designed to evaluate different aspects of the test-takers writing abilities. The report assesses the test-taker’s ability to summarize, analyze and present information in a concise and clear way and the essay assesses the test-taker’s ability to present a well-supported argument, use a range of academic vocabulary, and use cohesive devices to link ideas together. The scores of the academic IELTS writing test are critical as it is a significant part of the overall IELTS score and they can also impact the test-taker’s ability to apply to study programs where English is the medium of instruction.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Here are several ways to prepare for the IELTS Academic Writing Task one at home:
Practice with sample questions: Obtain sample IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 questions and practice answering them. This will help you understand the type of tasks you will be expected to complete during the test.
Study the task types: Familiarize yourself with the different types of tasks that are commonly used in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, such as describing a graph or chart, and the language and vocabulary that is used in each.
Improve your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases that are commonly used in academic writing.
Practice your grammar: Make sure you have a good understanding of grammar and practice using it correctly in your writing.
Learn about different data presentations: Learn about different ways data can be presented such as bar charts, line graphs, tables, diagrams, and pie charts, and practice describing and interpreting them.
Practice Time management: Practice timing yourself while you complete sample tasks, so you can get a sense of how long it takes to complete a task and learn to manage your time effectively during the test.
Get feedback: Get feedback on your writing from a teacher or a tutor to identify areas for improvement.
Learn the structure: Understand the structure of a Task 1 response, including the introduction, body, and conclusion, and practice using it to organize your ideas.
Read academic texts: Practice reading academic texts to improve your reading and writing skills
Practice online: There are several online resources available that will provide you with additional practice tasks and materials.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: Here are several ways to prepare for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 at home:
Practice with sample questions: Obtain sample IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 questions and practice answering them. This will help you understand the type of tasks you will be expected to complete during the test.
Study the task types: Familiarize yourself with the different types of tasks that are commonly used in the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, such as argumentative, discursive, and problem-solution essays, and the language and vocabulary that is used in each.
Improve your vocabulary: Learn new words and phrases that are commonly used in academic writing.
Practice your grammar: Make sure you have a good understanding of grammar and practice using it correctly in your writing.
Learn about different essay structures: Learn about different essay structures and practice using them to organize your ideas.
Practice Time management: Practice timing yourself while you complete sample tasks, so you can get a sense of how long it takes to complete a task and learn to manage your time effectively during the test.
Get feedback: Get feedback on your writing from a teacher or a tutor to identify areas for improvement.
Learn how to analyze and evaluate: Learn how to analyze and evaluate arguments, and practice applying this skill to the tasks you are given.
Read academic texts: Practice reading academic texts to improve your reading and writing skills
Practice online: There are several online resources available that will provide you with additional practice tasks and materials.
Keep in mind that expressing your opinion and providing examples to support your argument is important in Task 2, so make sure to practice this skill as well.
Practice is key to improving your IELTS writing skills. The more you practice, the more confident and prepared you will feel on test day.