Introduction:
Many students aspiring to study abroad have to take various language proficiency tests, out of which IELTS is one of those exams. When talking about IELTS, the majority of the students face hurdles in scoring a minimum of 6 bands in the Writing skill of IELTS. This blog delves deep into the sum and substance of how to score 7 or 8 bands in IELTS writing while making it an uncomplicated deal.
Know the format
Any preparation initiated without knowing the format of that exam may lead to misinterpretation and achievement of less band score. IELTS Writing has 2 tasks to follow.
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Academic Training (AT) Test: Those students who plan to attain a student visa must take the AT exam. In this test, the 1st task is Report Writing, while the 2nd task is Essay Writing.
- Report Writing: Different types of graphs or charts, such as a pie chart, line graph, bar graph or a combination of any 2, will be given and students are required to write a report based on the information provided. This task comprises of 3 bands and a minimum word limit of 150 words has to be maintained.
- Essay Writing: A topic will be given and the test taker is supposed to address the topic in a detailed manner. This task is of 6 bands and a minimum word limit of 250 words has to be supported.
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General Training (GT) Test: Students willing to gain a PR or a Work Permit take the GT exam. For them, 1st task is Letter Writing and 2nd task is Essay Writing.
- Letter Writing: This task is just like drafting an email. A letter can either be a formal one or an informal one. The candidate is expected to write a letter of a minimum of 150 words as this task is of just 3 bands.
- Essay Writing: A general topic will be presented and the test taker needs to address the topic and question in detail. This task is of 6 bands and asks for at least 250 words.
Note that Essay writing for both AT and GT students is the same. 4 paragraphs in task 1 and 4-5 paragraphs in task 2 are admirable.
Understanding the measurable factors of evaluation
Knowing how your writing tasks will be assessed will actually ease your nerves and help you focus more on what is really needed. Here are the main marking criteria:
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Task Response :
2 tasks are to be dealt with differently. Comprehend the information thoroughly and explain all the points and key areas in both tasks. Ensure not to go off track while writing an essay. Your opinion matters and see to it that your answers align with the topic mentioned and the question asked.
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Coherence and Cohesion
This criterion looks at the togetherness and logical flow in your writing. Connectors and linking words play an integral part here. Using phrases such as at the beginning, to embark on, to follow through, conversely, on the opposite side and many more can present great connections between paragraphs. Clarity is the key. Present your idea clearly and straightforwardly.
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Lexical Resource
Writing incorrect spellings can reduce the band score, but using words in different forms will fetch you more bands. This measure takes into account your skills of applying relatable vocabulary with minimal or no repetition of words, which helps you scale up your bands in writing from 5 to 7 or above.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy
This factor takes into consideration your knowledge of using a combination of simple and complex structures of statements. Grammar happens to be the bedrock of forming a properly worded sentence.
Strategies for everyday practice
Try and try till you succeed is the major player here. Practicing regularly will improve your speed and help you form ideas quickly. Do the tasks mentioned below daily and score 7+ bands in IELTS writing.
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Read and write daily :
Read academic journals, case studies, newspapers, or magazines on a daily basis and try to write at least 1-2 paragraphs by your own on what you have read.
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Make your own dictionary :
Make a list of words that sound new to you along with their 2-3 synonyms. This will aid you in maintaining lexical range.
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Refer to sample writing tasks :
There are various online sources through which you can take the reference, but always rely on genuine websites for it. Reference materials from ieltsidpindia.com and Cambridge will solve your problem.
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Recognize your weak point and work on it :
Perceive what holds you back from scoring your desired bands and work on it intensively. Work on grammar if that is dull, learn new words if you fall short of one, or watch news channels if you lack ideas for citing examples.
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Make a study plan :
Practicing blindly or without a specific plan leads to uneven scoring. An organized study structure will pave the way to higher bands. You may take the help of any IELTS coaching center in Ahmedabad, where the faculty will assist you in spotting your flaws and guide you accordingly.
Common mistakes in IELTS Writing
Some errors are so commonplace that they can be noticed easily. Keep yourself at an arm’s length if you genuinely wish to score 7 bands in IELTS writing.
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Not planning properly :
Many students start writing the answers as soon as they have read the question. Allocate at least 5 minutes to plan your task 1 and task 2.
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Excessive repetition of words :
Lacking the usage of a range of vocabulary can hinder your scores. Expand your knowledge of words by listening to or reading English language material.
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Misinterpreting the topic :
Go through the information carefully, especially in task 1. Sharing wrong information can degrade your scores. Read the topic properly and understand the demand of the question.
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Improper time allocation :
Time management is extremely vital in IELTS Writing. Ideally, 20 minutes should be given to task 1 and 40 minutes to task 2. Utilizing 30 minutes each will obstruct your quality of writing.
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Relying on a friend’s evaluation/suggestion :
Taking help of an expert or IELTS-certified faculty would be a better idea, as everyone’s capabilities and thinking abilities vary.
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Ignoring your weaknesses :
Not paying attention to your shortcomings will not help you spike up your bands. Constant upgradation and improvisation are necessary.
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Writing a separate paragraph for example :
4-5 paragraphs are more than enough to prove your understanding of the topic, but writing a separate paragraph for citing an example is not a good idea.
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One paragraph, multiple central ideas :
Mentioning 2-3 main ideas in a single paragraph gives rise to confusion and overinterpretation of the topic. Keep it simple and clear. One paragraph should consist of one focal point with its further elaboration, followed by an example.
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Turn a blind eye to examples:
Not giving an illustration to support your notion may not aid you in scoring more. Examples are a must. Use phrases such as to illustrate, for an example, to exemplify, for an instance and many more to initiate with an example.
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Disregarding punctuation marks:
This seems very insignificant, but in reality, it’s a game-changer. Using improper or no punctuation marks leads to a low band score. Knowing when to put a comma, a full stop, a hyphen, a semicolon, and a colon is pivotal in IELTS Writing.
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Neglecting to proofread the tasks:
10 minutes should be mandatorily allocated to proofreading the tasks so that you can check your errors and rectify if needed. Neglecting this is the biggest fault one can ever commit.
Exam-day tips
On the day of your IELTS exam, you need to be as calm as a cucumber.
- Do not panic and do as said by the instructors.
- Avoid referring to your notes at the last minute.
- As soon as you are told to start writing, plan your writing and make bullet points for your answer in the question paper.
- Use the washroom before the start of the examination to avoid the wastage of time in the middle.
- Stay focused
- Spare a few minutes for proofreading your write-up.
- Keep an eye on the clock.
Conclusion
Top-notch universities always seek students showing excellent proficiency in language. IELTS Writing becomes undemanding if you keep all the above-mentioned points in mind and make a strategic study schedule. Do not hesitate to take the help of an IELTS professional to score 7+ bands in IELTS Writing, serving at a study abroad consultancy in Ahmedabad.
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