5 Ways to Improve Your Writing Score in the IELTS

As you consider the prospect of studying or landing a job abroad, you have probably reached the point of taking the IELTS. This is the primary test for non-native English language speakers who look for opportunities in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. At first sight, it may seem tough to pass the IELTS successfully. But just like any other test, it only requires your time, training, and patience. Having invested your efforts in preparation, you can successfully complete the usual Listening, Reading, and Speaking sections. In this article, though, we will give you a few tips on how to get through your writing assignment. As you may guess, it is not that difficult either.

What the writing section is and how it works

The writing part of the IELTS usually consists of 2 tests. Task 1 is reading a chart or graph and describing it in your own words. Task 2 is writing an essay on a given topic. The tasks require 150 and 250 words, respectively. The topics are general and do not count on special knowledge in any academic field. You are supposed to complete the whole writing section in 60 minutes. 

When checking your essays, teachers will pay attention to the 4 main factors. They are most interested in how consistently you address the task, how well you organize your thoughts, what vocabulary you use, and whether you make any grammatical mistakes. Since you know this, you can already claim your strong points and anticipate what needs improvement.  

5 tips for you to write a great IELTS essay

1. Learn to speak on the topic in your writing. The worst thing you can do in your essay is to write off-topic. When covering any subject, try to include only relevant information that matters to the readers. If you do not know much about the topic, do not jump to other matters. Honestly write about what you know—the topics are general enough to do that. The board will appreciate your personal opinion on the matter in question. 
2. Structure your writing well. Clear paragraphing makes your writing precise. Since you need to write only 250 words in your essay, divide it into several sections. We would recommend writing a short introduction, 2 paragraphs to support your point and a short conclusion in your essay. Organize your thoughts and discuss the topic consistently. The more readable your text is, the higher it will score. 
3. Boost your word bank. Your vocabulary counts on the exam. This does not mean though that you need to stuff every sentence with smart scientific words. Quite the contrary—keep your vocabulary neutral and simple, even in a formal style. Remember that you are not writing a PhD paper. Your text should be understandable to the average reader. 
4. Discover the most common grammatical mistakes in your writing. If you want to pass the IELTS successfully, you need a grammatically correct essay. You can hire a tutor to boost your skills in grammar or do exercises from available manuals. Look closely at your previous essays. What are your most common mistakes? Pay attention to them. Avoiding your typical errors will significantly enhance the quality of your writing. 
5. Practice sticking to your word-time limit. Your essay can be fabulous, but it will not count if you violate the time limit.  You have only about 20 minutes for the first writing task and about 40 for the essay on the IELTS exam. At home, you can practice writing 250 words for 40 minutes so that you do not rush like mad at the exam. 

What not to do in your writing task

Everyone wants to be smart at the exam. But the IELTS is not the time to manifest knowledge that is not required by the task. Stick to the topic and keep your writing simple. Do not use overly sophisticated words or syntactic constructions in your essay. Also, do not use colloquial expressions, as the task requires a formal style. Try not to break the logic of your writing, i.e. organize your thoughts. Passing the writing test is not as hard as you might imagine. Do not panic and be confident about your language skills. 

How to ask for help when preparing for the IELTS

A tutor is not the only person who can help you get ready for your writing test. Using academic help services that complete essays according to your custom instructions is another way to boost your own writing. We recommend Custom Writings for buying an original essay online, on any topic and discipline. You can purchase a custom-written paper and use it as a template for your own writing. Academic help websites are a great solution to your homework crises and steady suppliers of top-quality essays to learn from.