If you are struggling to manage time in IELTS Writing then this article is for you where Perfect Tips are discussed for “How to Manage time in IELTS Writing Exam” to boost your score.
The IELTS writing module has two tasks: report writing (academic students), letter writing (general students), and essay writing. Many students struggle with deciding which one to start with. If they begin with task 1, they end up spending more than 20 minutes on it, leaving less time for the other task.
On the other hand, if they start with the essay, it becomes so lengthy that they can’t complete it in 40 minutes, leaving them with insufficient time for task 1. This dilemma often results in incomplete tasks within the 60-minute timeframe, negatively impacting their band score. Even if they manage to complete both tasks hastily, the effectiveness of their writing is compromised.
The challenge lies in finding a solution to these problems. This blog post will provide you with techniques for time management, ensuring that both tasks are completed error-free within the given time frame hence, read till last to reap the fruits.
Carefully go through every small detail, implement them in your practice, and then see, you will definitely get good results. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
Why Time Management is Important in the IELTS Writing Module
IELTS is a test where everything is time-bound, whether it’s reading, listening, or writing. Especially, in the writing module, as it’s not like the Reading or Listening Module, where only one type of task is supposed to be done; you have to write after thinking from two different perspectives for both tasks with no connection between them. Therefore, if you fail to manage your time, you subject yourself to stress, and this stress can negatively impact your band score.
Managing time well can make you less stressed and anxious. It helps you focus better and show your language skills more effectively. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
Pre Examination Tips to Save Time in Exam
- Understand Exam Format
One of the best things about the IELTS exam is that its format doesn’t change, and there are no out-of-syllabus questions. The exam format is available in the public domain, so the actual exam follows the same format.
That’s why it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that will come before the exam. Know how much time to allocate for each question and plan how to approach them.
If you keep yourself aware of the IELTS exam format in advance, you won’t need to read the instructions during the exam. This saves valuable time. Even if it’s just a minute, every second matters in this exam. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
2. Practice Mock Test
As we discussed in the previous point, the format of IELTS remains consistent and so does the time allocated for each section.
To prepare effectively, it’s essential to attempt mock tests, preferably with a timer. Attempting mock tests without a timer may not provide the desired benefits.
Attempt mock tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam environment. This practice will not only familiarize you with the format but also help you gradually develop the habit of completing your question paper within the allotted time.
Effective time management during the exam is a skill that can be honed through consistent timed practice. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
3. Assess Your English Language Proficiency
To save time in IELTS, two essential factors come into play:
- Proficiency in English and
- Effective strategy.
If you lack either of these, obtaining a high band score can become challenging within the limited time frame. Therefore, it’s crucial first to assess your proficiency in English. If your language skills are not strong, it’s advisable to invest some time in learning English before attempting the IELTS.
For instance, if you struggle to understand a sentence even after reading it multiple times, it indicates a gap in your English proficiency. Until you reach a level where you can comprehend sentences in the first reading, it’s beneficial to enhance your language skills. Learning to grasp sentences quickly not only boosts your confidence but also saves time during the exam.
So, before diving into IELTS preparation, ensure your English language proficiency is at a level where you can comprehend content efficiently and quickly. This foundational step will significantly contribute to saving time during the actual exam and, consequently, improve your overall performance. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
4. Keep yourself Fresh
Many times, we find ourselves exhausted when we reach the exam as we keep studying until the last minute, because of which our mind and body both get tired. A fatigued body and a tired mind cannot deliver optimal performance.
When we read questions during the exam, we struggle to comprehend them in the first reading because we are already tired. We end up reading them two, three, or even four times, and by the time we finish reading, generating ideas becomes a challenge. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure you get enough rest before the exam.
To avoid reaching the exam in a fatigued state, refrain from studying right before the exam. Ensure you have a good night’s sleep and keep yourself hydrated. These practices will help you relax, stay fresh, and perform at your best during the exam. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
5. The tummy should be filled
Because the IELTS Reading, Writing, and Listening exams are conducted together, it takes almost two and a half hours. Therefore, avoid going into the exam with an empty stomach.
Have a proper meal but avoid heavy food. Consume something that won’t make you feel sleepy, meaning have a light meal. Make sure it’s not something that will upset your stomach because if you want to take the exam with a troubled stomach, your mind won’t cooperate, and tasks that should take 1 minute might take you 5 minutes. This could disrupt your time management. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
6. Reach before Time
Arriving at the exam venue ahead of time is crucial to complete any pre-examination formalities comfortably. Being early allows you to manage these tasks without stress. Once you are seated for the exam, maintain a relaxed mindset.
A relaxed mind tends to produce better results quickly. From a time management perspective, being early not only helps you settle in smoothly but also gives you a few moments to calm your nerves before the exam begins. `
This mental preparation can positively impact your ability to manage time effectively during the exam. It’s essential to create a conducive mental environment for yourself to enhance focus and optimize the use of the allotted time. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
7. Use Filler Times To Relax
The slight gap between the two modules is an opportunity for you to relax and recharge your energy. After the first module, you’ve invested a lot of energy, and mentally, you might feel a bit drained. Utilize this gap to unwind and replenish your energy.
Avoid engaging in conversations here and there, and refrain from discussing how your previous exam went with others. Focus on relaxing, chill out, close your eyes, have some water, and concentrate on preparing mentally for the next exam.
Resist the urge to inquire about others’ exam experiences or share your own. Maintaining this relaxed and focused state will contribute to completing your next exam with perfect timing. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
8. Choose the Nearest Test Center
When booking your IELTS exam, pay special attention to choosing a center close to your location to save on commuting time and reduce fatigue from travel.
Arriving at the examination center with a refreshing mind and body will contribute to better performance. Things that would normally take you 3 minutes to think about, you will now process in just 1 minute. Similarly, what would typically take you 5 minutes to understand, you will now grasp in 3 minutes, allowing you to save valuable time during the exam. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
10. Complete Documentation
On the test day, have all the required documents ready and organized according to the checklist. Keep duplicates of all documents, along with the originals. This precaution is crucial because if, for any reason, you need to make additional photocopies on the spot, you might need to search for a photocopy shop, wasting unnecessary time. This could lead to stress and tension.
Also, if by mistake you forget any document, you may not have enough time to communicate immediately with the IELTS authorities, be it through email or any other means. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have the complete documentation as per the checklist available both in the original and the photocopy form. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
Writing Module – Time Management Tips
- Strengthen your Weaknesses Beforehand
Let’s have a look at the various components that require our attention in the IELTS Writing Module:
- Grammar
- Sentence structures
- Tenses
- Articles
- Nouns
- Punctuation Marks
- Anything other component of grammar
- Vocabulary
- SynonymsAntonymsAppropriate usageTopic-specific vocabularySpellings
- Not able to remember
- Organization of Ideas
- How to start
- How to paraphrase
- How to organize points
- Essay Structure
- Introduction
- Opinion
- Overview
- Body Paragraphs
- Conclusion
- Connectors
- How to use
- Where to use
- Repeated usage
- Under or Overuse
- Generation of Ideas
Now, figure out which components are troubling you the most. And during your preparation, focus on that specific part.
When you are struggling in any field or facing problems in any particular area, it reflects in your exam performance. If you are not proficient in a specific field, it will become a major hurdle during the exam. The time spent on understanding and dealing with that particular weakness in the exam will naturally increase. Consequently, it is evident that if you don’t strengthen your weak points beforehand, it will consume more time during the exam. Hence, it is crucial to address and overcome your weaknesses in advance so that you can save time during the exam and complete your question paper effectively. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
2. Figure Out Which “Task” Causing You More Problems
In the IELTS writing module, there are two tasks: Task 1 and Task 2. In Task 1, academic students are required to write a report, while general students need to write a letter. Both tasks have a specified time.
It has been seen that many students tend to practice each task separately. That is, they either practice writing reports, letters, or essays individually without considering how much time they are spending.
To complete your writing module efficiently, I recommend attempting both tasks together and setting the timer, just as you would in the actual exam. This approach will help you understand how much time you are spending on each task and identify which task requires more effort. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
3. Focus on Weak “Task”
Once you’ve identified which task is causing more problems for you, Task 1 or Task 2, take some time to write about it separately. Determine the total time it took you and pinpoint what exactly posed the most significant challenge and ate up your time.
Was it grammar-related issues? Did you struggle to comprehend the main idea or generate relevant ideas? In the case of reports, were you unable to identify comparison points? It could be that you took extra time to understand graphs or, if it’s a letter, extracting points might have been time-consuming.
Now, focus on that specific weak area, and work on it, so that in the official exam it does not consume your time unnecessarily. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
4. An important point not to forget
Always proofread. Don’t skip it, because if you don’t proofread, consider submitting your paper with numerous errors. It’s normal that when we write something for the first time, it often contains many mistakes. To correct them, proofreading is essential. Be sure that under any circumstances, without proofreading; don’t submit your work. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
5. Prepare Various Topics for Essays
In IELTS, while questions don’t usually repeat, the good thing is that topics repeat. Therefore, make efforts to address all kinds of topics. So that in the exam, you don’t waste your time generating ideas as your mind will already be equipped with content. Some topics include…
- Environment
- Globalization
- Trade
- Children
- Technology
Follow the links: For more such Essay Topics and Essay Questions
6. Don’t Stuck, Move Ahead
If you’re not getting any ideas or finding it challenging to execute a task, please don’t hesitate to move on to the next point. Take a moment, and if things aren’t working out as expected, consider shifting your focus to the next point. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
Writing Task Wise (Task 1 and Task 2)- Time Management Tips
Time Management Tips- Academic Task 1- Report Writing
The time that is supposed to be spent – 20 min
5 minutes – Planning
10 minutes – Writing
5 minutes – Checking
How to use 5 minute Planning time effectively – Most Important
- Don’t rush
- Spend time to understand the type of graph
- Analyze the data thoroughly
- Bring out the key elements and comparison points of the graph
- Organize your data
- Note down the key vocabulary words, graph-specific vocabulary words, and connectors required for explanations of the graph
Planning is essential because, with good planning, you would have thoroughly analyzed the graph, extracted data points in advance, and organized vocabulary words and connectors. By doing so, you will save time when writing. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
How to use 10 minute Writing time effectively
- Once everything is in place and it’s time to write the report, keep in mind the limited time and focus on sentence structure. Pay attention to your data—ensure accuracy and present it correctly in your report. Take a careful look, invest about 10 minutes, and in that time, complete 3 to 4 required paragraphs according to the task demands.
How to use 5 minute Checking time effectively
- Check if the comparison points you’ve written are explained properly. If yes, proceed to the next point with the same level of attention. If not, make the required modifications to your comparison points.
- Check for spellings, are they correct?
- Check for data. For example, if it is 250.15% in the graph, it should be the same in your report, not 250.50%.
- Check for any writing errors. For CBT – typo errors and for PBT- handwriting errors
Time Management Tips- General Task 1- Letter Writing
Time that supposed to be spent – 20 min
5 minutes – Planning
10 minutes – Writing
5 minutes – Checking
How to use 5 minute Letter Planning time effectively – Most Important
- Read the questions carefully, don’t rush.
- Determine which type of letter – Formal, Semi-Formal, or Informal
- Accordingly plan for the tone, for Formal and Semi-Formal Letters, tone of writing should be formal and for Informal Letters tone of writing should be informal
- Read each bullet point carefully and figure out what is the requirement of the task
- Note down the key vocabulary words, connectors, formal or informal vocabulary as per the requirements. Don’t leave them for later otherwise they will slip from your mind
- Remember, proper planning is crucial. If our planning is good, a lot of time can be saved for what lies ahead. Therefore, make the most of those 5 minutes by utilizing them effectively. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
How to use 10 minute Writing time effectively
- When you’re ready to write your letter, remember the time limit and concentrate on how you structure your sentences. Double-check your bullet points to make sure it’s accurate and presented correctly in your letter. Take a good look at everything, spend around 10 minutes, and during that time, finish 3 to 4 paragraphs as needed for the task.
How to use 5 minute Checking time effectively
- Check if the bullet points you’ve written explained properly completing the requirements of the task. If yes, proceed to the next point with the same level of attention. If not, make required modifications.
- Check for spellings.
- Check for any writing errors. For CBT – typo errors and for PBT- handwriting errors
Time Management Tips- Essays
Time that supposed to be spent – 40 min
15 minutes – Planning
15 minutes – Writing
10 minutes – Checking
How to use 15-minute Essay Planning time effectively – Most Important
- The First and foremost step is to “READ THE QUESTION THOROUGHLY”. Don’t rush.
- If you have not understood the question in the first reading, read it 10-15 times
- Analyze the question
- Figure out whether it is an opinion essay or a non-opinion essay
- Plan your essay
- Think of the points in support of your stand
- Jot down the points and divide them into the Main Point, Supporting Point, and Example
- Write down topic-related vocabulary words and required connectors
- Keep on writing other vocabulary words that are clicking in your mind. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
How to use 15-minute Essay Writing time effectively
Now, you have done everything,
- Just write your essay as per your planning in proper paragraphs as per the type of essay.
- Introduction, Body, Conclusion
- Make sure to have proper opening and closing of the paragraphs
- Do not write in bullet points. There should be continuous paragraphs.
How to use 10 minute Checking time effectively
- Is proper paragraphing there?
- Are connectors used as per requirements? There should not be under or over use.
- Is there any duplicacy?
- Is paraphrasing done properly?
- Is there any repetition of vocabulary?
- Correct usage of grammar?
- Are there any wrong spellings?
- Punctuation Marks at required places?
- If any other thing comes to your notice.
- Is there any sentence that is going off topic?
Let’s Conclude – How to Manage Time in IELTS Writing
Managing time effectively is really important, especially during the IELTS exam, which tests your English skills. It’s like a big English test where planning and organizing your time well are crucial. If you struggle with managing your time, it can make you feel stressed and might impact how well you do, possibly lowering your overall score.
But, if you smartly split your time between different parts and tasks, it can make you more productive. Your attention gets better, and your likelihood of getting good scores improves. Therefore, managing your time well is really important to tackle the challenges of the IELTS in a successful way. (how to manage time in ielts writing)
Now that we have understood everything, our last step is to follow all the strategies in each task and practice extensively.
Practice,
Practice, and
More practice.
Practice because there is no shortcut to success.
Another thing, mere hard work does not yield results; smart work is also required.
Hard Work + Smart Work = Success
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Prepare Well!!
All the Best!!
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