Reading through the evaluative feedback of many past IELTS candidates, you would learn that, of the four modules in the IELTS test, the writing task seems to be the most difficult. Going by the test statistics usually released by IELTS, students often score the lowest average band in the writing section of the test.
The IELTS writing task has for many years been a wellspring of worry for candidates in Nigeria and beyond. It is by far the scariest of the four modules. Why is this so? Even for ace writers, writing is a naturally arduous task.
Remember the day you had to write an impromptu essay in class or a few paragraphs of narrative composition in your exam? It wasn’t so easy, was it? Exactly! Now add the anxiety of writing a test to the natural challenge in writing. Haha!
However, while it is true that the majority score low in the IELTS writing task, it is also true that candidates who make time to learn the tips and hacks find an easy way to score a great band. As many have put it, the IELTS test isn’t just about English skills.
Beyond academic brilliance, getting expert help is a more important need for success in the exam. You may read textbooks and watch remedial videos but still miss important ideas and information that edge out successful candidates.
If you have read many IELTS fail stories, you must have known that the difference between candidates who score a high band and others who manage to pull an average band score isn’t intelligence or brilliance; rather, the level of expert help and tips employed and the ability to identify and provide what the examiner truly wants.
Check out some free resources for your IELTS training.
Whether you're a Nigerian candidate or not, consider this article a crash course on hacks and tips to smash the IELTS writing task and ultimately score a high band!
Understand the IELTS Writing Criteria
In any challenge, when the problem is unknown, finding the solution becomes elusive. To score a high band in the IELTS writing test, you must find understand the exam criteria. If you meet the examiner halfway, you stand a chance of scoring a band 7 or 8 in your IELTS writing task.
IELTS has its band descriptors, tables detailing the scoring criteria for the tests, in the public domain. With a quick search on Google, you will find the criteria for your writing task.
However, although the band descriptors are public information, they are not so easy to understand. If you have an experienced IELTS tutor, he/she can help you decrypt the criteria. Here is a summary:
There are two types of IELTS tests, viz; IELTS Academic test and IELTS General Training. Whichever type of IELTS test you register to sit for, your writing test will comprise two tasks (just like you used to do objective and theory sections in school exams).
These two tasks are IELTS writing task 1 and IELTS writing task 2. However, depending on which IELTS test you are sitting for (whether General or Academic), the questions in writing task 1 are usually different.
If you’re writing the General IELTS training writing test, your writing task 1 will be to write a 150-word (or more) letter in response to a question prompt given.
If you are writing the IELTS Academic Writing test, your task 1 will be to write a 150-word (or more) report on a dataset, map, or process. You will be provided factual data and requested to report its main features. For both test types, your writing task 1 will be under 20 minutes and you will be scored on:
- Test achievement: How well did you respond to everything asked? How robust was your response? Did you write up to 150 words?
- Coherence & Cohesion: How logically were the ideas presented? How well did the ideas flow from one paragraph to the other?
- Lexical resource: Correct spellings? Display of extensive vocabulary? Correct use of word classes?
- Grammar range & accuracy: Include different kinds of sentences? Well punctuated? Correct use of grammar structures?
For writing task 2, it is the same for both IELTS exam types. You will need to write an essay of at least 250 words explaining your position on a topic, idea, trend, or discussion. You will have 40 minutes to do this task and you will be scored using the same four criteria as writing task 1.
These criteria help you to think of the best way to craft your responses to the test questions. How do you prove knowledge of sufficient vocabulary, infuse the different kinds of sentences in your responses, ensure good paragraphing, correct punctuation and spelling, and logically tie your ideas to ensure smooth flow?
Here are some self-learning options to improve your English.
Practise proper Essay structure
During your school English lessons, you must have been taught that there is a relationship between how the ideas in an essay are structured and how well they are understood. Beyond good use of words, good writers make sure that their essays are coherently structured into simple paragraphs that are easy to read through.
It is thus important to practise correct essay structure when preparing for the IELTS writing tasks. Usually, an essay should have three parts — the introduction, body, and conclusion.
You need to introduce your thesis to your readers in the opening paragraphs. That is, the first few paragraphs must establish the objective(s) of your essay in clear terms. For instance, if it is a letter, the first two paragraphs need to state the reason(s) for writing the letter and set the tone.
After the introductory paragraphs, succeeding ones should contain your argument and supporting details. Here is where you take a position, express your ideas, or convey your thoughts. When you’re done with the body, you will need to summarise the whole composition in one or two paragraphs at the tail of the essay. Following this structure is very important.
Also, you need to be aware of the elements of a complete paragraph. These elements include the topic sentence (which carries the overarching idea of the paragraph), supporting sentences (usually 3 or 4 sentences explaining the idea and providing supporting reasons), and the concluding sentence (which reminds the readers about the main subject of the paragraph).
If your paragraphs are lacking any of these essential elements, you risk scoring low under the task achievement criterion and that will adversely affect your total band score.
Read on the best guide and resources for Nigerian IELTS candidates
Learn Time and Word Management
As a Nigerian student, you must already know that tests are not a measure of only brilliance. Since you do not have the whole day to attempt the questions, you must put a premium on efficiently managing the limited time that you will be given. You will be given 60 minutes to answer the two task questions.
Within this time, you will need to write two essays of at least 400 words altogether. If you’re not a regular writer, writing 400 plus words in one hour — bearing in mind that you will have to think and plan your answers before you start writing — can be very difficult. This is why you should practise time and word management very well before your exam.
Pro tip: You can save prevent time loss by creating an outline for each answer before you start responding to the questions.
Improve Grammar, Punctuation, and Style
If you paid attention to your English language teacher while in secondary school, you should currently know a lot about grammar rules, how to use common punctuation marks in the English language, and how to make each sentence of the essay count. No worries if you have forgotten most of them.
There are many English lessons online that can refresh your memory and help to improve your use of grammar. You must be conscious of not introducing your Nigerian English quirks in your responses. You will need pure standard English to survive your IELTS writing tasks.
The IELTS exam is designed to test candidates’ grammar range and accuracy. You don’t expect anything different from a test of proficiency, do you? And don’t fret, learning these aspects of the English language isn’t a big deal.
You can adequately learn all you need to know by choosing from the list of expert IELTS tutors on Superprof or taking some IELTS classes at any IELTS training centre around you.
Read on how to improve your English with an IELTS tutor.
Build sufficient Vocabulary and Attempt Practice Test Questions
Having sufficient vocabulary is like having enough money in the bank. I bet you can relate to the calmness that comes with it.
You cannot make a high score on the IELTS test without sufficient vocabulary. Not only the writing tasks but also the speaking, listening, and reading tasks demand good knowledge of English vocabulary.
Explore the various self-learning options that are available for you to improve your vocabulary and grow your word bank.
From listening to English programmes including movies and talk shows to reading good books and novels, and practise speaking with better speakers, you can improve your vocabulary without waiting for a teacher to give you a list of words to learn.
Additionally, you should make use of several free IELTS courses and practice tests that are on the internet to prepare for your actual test. The British Council, for instance, have sets of practice test questions and answers that can help boost your preparation and improve your language skills.
I know. It’s been a read! With these five strategic tips, you can improve your general writing skills and specifically increase your chances of recording a lofty band score in your coming IELTS writing tasks. Best wishes!
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