Which essay should you tackle first on the IELTS Writing exam?
This must be decided before test day.
You want to have a clear idea of what you will do and why.
Today we’ll cover what you should consider when deciding how to write your IELTS essays.
Today’s question
Many students have asked us about which essay to write first.
Today we tackle this question on the podcast.
I have always had the question if we should start with task 2 during the test, as it is longer and values more. Thank you. -Edwin Fabian
Edwin is correct that Task 2 is worth more.
However, there are a few things to consider when deciding which to write first.
Our recommendation: Start with Task 1
We recommend starting with Task 1 because it is easier.
It doesn’t take a lot of brain power.
For Academic Task 1 essays, you’re just reporting numbers.
For General, you’re writing a letter.
This is much easier than what you have to do for Task 2.
If you write Task 2 first, you may find yourself drained before beginning Task 1.
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When to start with Task 2
How much each essay is worth shouldn’t affect your decision.
They are both worth enough that they can pull your score down significantly.
You cannot skip Task 1 and do an excellent job on Task 2 expecting to get a good score.
If you have a lot of anxiety about Task 2, you may want to write it first.
Otherwise, it might be hard to focus on Task 1.
Decide before test day
It is vital that you decide long before test day which essay you will write first.
This is because you must practice doing it and timing yourself.
You must have a very clear idea of how long it takes to write each exam.
Additionally, you don’t want to waste one minute deciding this during the exam.
If you have a concrete reason for writing Task 1 first, practice that way.
Timing for Task 1
You must practice your timing well before test day.
The time for each essay must be followed strictly.
Task 1 should take no longer than 20 min for Task 1 and 40 min for Task 2
The following is how you should break down the steps:
- Planning: 2-3 min planning
- Writing: 14-16 min
- Checking: 2-3 min
For the entire essay, you should aim for 180 words.
Examiners don’t count words but it will take about this many to accomplish the task.
Timing for Task 2
Task 2 should take about 40 min.
This should be practiced long before test day.
Practice writing both essays in one hour.
For Task 2, we recommend the following timing:
- Planning: 5 min
- Writing: 30 min
- Checking: 5 min checking
Aim for 250-300 words for Task 2.
Takeaway
We recommend writing Task 1 first.
However, if Task 2 gives you a lot of anxiety you may want to write it first.
Whatever you choose, it’s vital to know well in advance.
This way you can practice ahead of time.
Time yourself while writing essays for a few weeks before your test date.
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What questions do you have from today’s episode?
Please leave a comment below.
