Top 20 Last Minute Tips for IELTS Writing for Higher Band

“Tomorrow is my IELTS exam, and I don’t have much time left, so I just need some last minute tips for IELTS writing, reading, and listening to quickly prepare myself.”

If you’re also thinking the same, then this blog post is for you. It won’t take much time for you to read, and you’ll get the best tips. So, read this blog post to the end so that you can perform your best in the exam with last-minute best preparation tips.

Last Minute Tips for IELTS Writing Test

1. Relax

The most crucial aspect is to stay calm. Getting anxious won’t fix anything; in fact, it could make things more challenging. Stress won’t make the exam any easier or help you figure out answers faster. Keeping calm is essential. If you stay relaxed, you’ll do better and complete the exam more successfully.

2. Nothing is wrong or right

Remember, in the IELTS test, it’s not about your opinions or character, but rather about evaluating your English language skills. So, there’s no right or wrong here. The test simply checks whether what you’ve written is grammatically correct and appropriate in English.

“Your personal opinions don’t matter; it’s the language that counts.”

3. Read the question carefully

Read the question carefully; there’s no need to rush. If you don’t understand it the first time, read it two or three times, even ten times if necessary.

It’s crucial to grasp the question properly so that your answer aligns with what is asked. Avoid going off-topic, as writing answers unrelated to the question won’t earn you any points.

Therefore, it’s extremely important to read and understand the question thoroughly. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

4. Word Count

Always remember not to write below the minimum word count for your tasks. For Task 1, the minimum word count is 150, and for Task 2, it’s 250. Your response should always exceed these word limits.

If you write less, your submission may be penalized.

5. Limit your writing

There is a minimum word count limit of 150 for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2, but there is no maximum limit. You are allowed to write as much as you want, but it is suggested that you aim for around 180 words for Task 1 and 280 for Task 2. Writing excessively might lead you to go off-topic, and you could be penalized for that. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

“Writing more does not mean you are writing relevant.”

6. Don’t waste time counting words

You don’t need to waste your time counting the words you’ve written. Instead, count your lines and, in one quick look, estimate your final word count by multiplying it by the average number of words per line.

Remember, always aim to write more than the minimum required. This ensures that your word count doesn’t fall short anywhere. When practicing, use the official worksheets from IELTS for your exercises. This helps you get familiar with writing in lines and keeps you mindful of your word count.

If you’re taking a computer-based test, your word count will be automatically displayed on the screen during the exam. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

Must Read:

1. 11 Expert Last Minute Tips for IELTS Speaking Exam Success
2. 20 Most Important Last Minute Tips for IELTS Reading for Band 9

7. Write in your own words

Always express your answers in your own language. Avoid using memorized content and make sure to paraphrase the examiner’s questions.

Don’t simply repeat the question words in your answers during the exam. Failing to do so might have a negative impact on your overall score. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

8. Planning

Before you start writing, make sure to plan thoroughly. A well-thought-out plan will save you time during the actual writing, for this it’s essential to jot down all the points, vocabulary, and connectors you might need.

Organize your thoughts during the planning stage, decide the order in which you’ll write each point, and ensure that you have the required vocabulary and connectors ready.

This way, when you begin writing, everything is already organized, and you can simply put your thoughts onto paper. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

9. Organization

Remember that your Task 1 and Task 2 should be properly organized. For paragraphs, such as the introduction, body, and conclusion, if you’re writing the essay. If you’re composing a letter, include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing statement. If you’re writing a report, the introduction, and body paragraphs with proper comparison points should be present. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

10. Do not stuck

If you’re unable to recall a point or a vocabulary word in the heat of the moment, and something seems to be slipping your mind, don’t get stuck there. Move on and continue forward.

Dwelling on a single point won’t help; instead, gradually, what eluded you before will come back to you. However, if you linger at that point, you risk wasting a lot of time and might not be able to complete your question paper.

11. Short forms not allowed

Remember, not to write short forms as we do in WhatsApp. Such as for “Kalpana Chawla”,  “KC” is the wrong way to write. 

12. Do not write bullet points

As this is a language test, avoid using bullet points. Write continuous paragraphs so that the examiner can thoroughly assess your language skills. Using bullet points may not effectively demonstrate your language abilities in this test. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

13. Do not write contracted words

Writing style such as “its” is not allowed, you have to write “it is.”

14. Don’t use informal language

The Ideality Writing Module is designed to test formal language skills. Therefore, avoid using informal language here. Idioms and phrases are informal expressions of language. Keep in mind the seriousness of this matter.

15. Time Management

Keep in mind that you only have 60 minutes to complete Task 1 and Task 2. It’s crucial to manage this time effectively because if you run short on time and leave any task incomplete, it can significantly impact your overall score. Therefore, aim to finish Task 1 within 20 minutes and Task 2 within 40 minutes. (Last Minute Tips for IELTS Writing)

16. Conclusion

Never include a conclusion in Report Writing or Letter Writing, even by mistake. A conclusion is exclusively meant for essay writing only. While writing the conclusion refrain from introducing any new points. Simply summarize what you have written in your body paragraphs.

17. Proof-read

Never make the mistake of not proofreading. Don’t skip Task 1 or Task 2 without proofreading, as it’s quite common to overlook small errors while writing. Spelling mistakes, missing punctuation marks, adding extras, or even grammatical errors can slip through. If these mistakes remain, they will negatively impact my bands. Therefore, you must proofread without fail. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

18. Avoid Fancy Vocabulary

Remember, avoid using any words in your letter, report, or essay that you’re not confident about. If there’s a word for which you lack confidence in its context or situation, don’t use it.

Fancy vocabulary can backfire if misused, leading to a negative impact on your band score. Stick to the vocabulary words you are 100% confident about to ensure accuracy.

19. Handwriting if PBT

If you’re doing a written test on paper, it’s important to be mindful of your handwriting. If your writing is messy and hard to read, your answer might be marked wrong, even if it’s correct. So, ensure your handwriting is neat and easy to understand to prevent any confusion when they check your responses.

19. Need paper, ask for it

If you are taking a paper-based test and your answer sheet is filled, remember that you need to quickly raise your hand and ask for an additional answer sheet.

Don’t hesitate to do so because we have observed many students who mistakenly think they cannot ask for another answer sheet just because they filled one. However, you are allowed to take as many additional answer sheets as you need. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

20. Separate Answer Sheets

You receive separate answer sheets for Task 1 and Task 2, PBT, and separate sections, for CBT. For Task 1, you must write your answer only on the Task 1 answer sheet, and for Task 2, you must write the answer on the designated Task 2 answer sheet.

If, by mistake, you write Task 2’s answer in the Task 1 section or vice versa, your paper might get disqualified. So, it’s crucial to ensure that your responses are in the correct sections on the respective answer sheets.

21. Stay focused

It’s advisable to concentrate on your exam instead of checking out what others are doing. Give careful attention to the instructions in your test. You don’t have to be concerned about what your classmates are up to.

22. Use breathing space to refresh yourself

Once the previous module is completed, and your next paper starts, utilize the in-between minutes wisely. Avoid talking to other students about how your paper went or asking about theirs. Seal yourself off and rejuvenate during these brief breaks to prepare for the next section. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

Most Important- Evaluation Criteria

Whenever we are taking an exam, it’s crucial to know what will be essentially checked in it. We need to understand why we are taking that particular exam and which skills are being tested. Therefore, when you start your preparation, make sure to go through the writing band descriptors. This will help you understand what the examiner is looking for.

If you provide what the examiner wants, your band score will be good. However, if you fail to fulfill the demands specified in the evaluation criteria, your final result may not be as satisfactory. Therefore, keep your basics strong and focus on the assessment criteria, meaning the writing band descriptors. (last minute tips for ielts writing)

FAQs

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Prepare Well!!

All the Best!!

(last minute tips for ielts writing)