10 Common IELTS Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

IELTS writing tasks are the second and crucial segment of the examination where you have to convince the examiner that you have a great vocabulary base and grammatical skills. You have to ensure that you can develop a balanced, coherent, and structured writing with your vocabulary base and grammatical skills in a clear way. The IELTS writing segment consists of two different tasks for each testing option i.e. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Individually in IELTS writing if you score 6.5 bands, it is considered as a good score. The journey for 6.5 bands in IELTS writing is really easy if you follow some rules, formats, and tips. 

In this article, we are going to discuss the top 11 most common IELTS writing mistakes that you need to avoid to secure a 6.5 band in your IELTS writing segment.

Before discussing the IELTS Writing Common Mistakes, you need to know about the format and structure of the whole segment efficiently. The problems and the mistakes are deeply rooted in this. Here is the proper structure of the IELTS Writing Segment for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training as mentioned below. 

Read More: IELTS Exam Syllabus 2024: General & Academic

For both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, you need to complete two individual tasks. For IELTS Academic task 1 is related to the data representation and in IELTS General Training you need to write a letter on the given situation. For both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, you need to answer an opinion-based essay question. Here is the breakdown of the IELTS Writing Module as mentioned below. 

Also Read: IELTS Academic vs General Tests – What’s the Difference?

Read More: IELTS Full Form: Check Its Significance

For IELTS writing, the major mistake is not understanding the test format properly. When you are not sure about the format and the allotted time frame, your productivity will decrease for sure. Both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are graded in the same way but the instructions are different. As we have discussed the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training writing format earlier, so now we will discuss the most common mistakes related to this particular segment that can bind you to a low band score. Read them carefully and analyze them with your approach to make your responses balanced, coherent, and structured. 

Not Using Formal Writing Procedures

As per the Indian context, it is very common. Most of the Indian students do not apply Formal Writing Procedures in their IELTS writing responses. It happens just because of a lack of proper practice. You can not miss it out from your writing glossary. If you do not use the Formal Writing Procedures you are risking your band scores and violating the international academic guidelines. As the IELTS ensures that you are eligible to cope with the communication process in the academic and employment context in an abroad country, so format is important here. 

You should use the proper format and writing structure to get a high band score in this segment which will help you to secure a great CFBR in your final result. 

Using Strategies Consistently

Not Using the Consistent Strategy for the writing segment may cause a downfall in your IELTS writing band score. You should follow a personalised positive approach through which you can score better in the writing section. Many students pick the pointers from the questions and develop an idea by joining them to structure their answers. Approach and strategy are very important for IELTS writing. Though the constant strategy is a personal affair you should use it properly to get a high band score in this segment which will help you to secure a great CFBR in your final result. 

Not practising Enough

Practice makes a man perfect. We all know about this term. As a candidate, you need to practice more and more. There are so many mock papers and books available to increase your efficiency. Try to attempt the hard practice sets and also do some practice with the simple mock papers which will make you understand the variety of the IELTS writing. How much time you give in the practice your speed will increase. There is no other option to increase your efficiency for IELTS writing. 

Including a Personal Opinion or Reason

You need to be very careful with your statements, Personal Opinions, or Reason you are attaching in your writing. Remember that you are not writing an editorial blog or something. It is the problem with the Indian student that they put Personal Opinion or Reason and this diversifies the content with so many aspects and it is not good.  You need to stay attached to your developed logic and examples, that’s it. Do not put any personal opinion in the essay. If you do not do the same, your score will decrease. 

Not Following the Structure

Not Following the Structure is a bad indication for your IELTS writing. You need to follow the structure to write the content during the test. Make sure you follow the predified structure for writing during the time of answer framing. Do not miss the proper structure and remember the word limit as well. 

Using a Limited Vocabulary 

Using a Limited Vocabulary may decrease your score. The vocabulary plays a major role in defining the quality of the article. If you use the limited term to write an article, it will decrease the quality. Do not use the limited terms in your article. 

Overusing Cohesive Devices

The Cohesive Devices are also known as transitions, transitional phrases, and linkers. They are mainly used to join the different sentenses and situations. IELTS rules mention that you need to focus on these types of words to maintain the overall concept. No need to use these types of words too much in your article.  

Making Too Many Grammatical Mistakes

IELTS is a proficient way to prove your English language skills. Making Too Many Grammatical Mistakes push you toward a low score. It happens just because of a lack of proper practice. You can not miss it out from your writing glossary.

Repeating the Question

Do not repaeat the same question in an article. Writing unnecessary words and lines will decrease your score. As we said before, not Using the Consistent Strategy for the writing segment may cause a downfall of your IELTS writing band score. You should follow a personalise positive approach through which you can score better in the writing section. 

Your Essay Does Not Answer the Question

You need to properly answer your questions. If you fail to develop the idea properly, it will be considered as a scrap. If you are unable to understand the view of the question, read it properly multiple times. You need to analyze them properly and jot down the major facts and points in your words.

Word Limit

For the IELTS writing it is recommened to maintain the word limit. If you do not maintain the word limit, it will decrease your score. Writing more than the word limit will have a bad impact as well as low limit says that you do not have the ability to write. 

Here are some master Tips for Writing Sections as mentioned below. 

• Always use the passive voice with new words. It will give an idea to the examiner that you have well prepared with your vocabulary. 
• There are two writing tasks you need to complete in IELTS in 60 Minutes. The word limit is 150 and 250 for Task 1 and Task 2. You need to stick to the word length but it is recommended to add 10-20 words more during writing. Less word count may cause low band scores. 
• There is no room for grammatical mistakes. You need to fix it up in an early stage of your preparation. Focus on writing the various ranges of tenses with good sentence formation. 
• Preparing with a timer is beneficial for writing tasks. You need to remember that for task one you have to spend only 20 minutes not more than that.
• Follow the proper format for the writing section. As you develop and habituate with the skeleton of the writing task, your writing time will be decreased.
• A good introduction and conclusion always say that you can create balance in your writing. So focus on them.
• You have to develop proper analyzing skills because short and small data are always important for IELTS writing. As much as you incorporate these data, your score will go up. 

Conclusion

The IELTS writing segment consists of two different tasks for each testing option i.e. IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Individually in IELTS writing if you score 6.5 bands, it is considered as a good score. The journey for 6.5 bands in IELTS writing is really easy if you follow some rules, formats, and tips. The problems and the mistakes are deeply rooted in this. For both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training, you need to complete two individual tasks. For IELTS Academic task 1 is related to the data representation and in IELTS General Training you need to write a letter on the given situation. There is no room for grammatical mistakes. You need to fix it up in an early stage of your preparation. Focus on writing the various ranges of tenses with good sentence formation. Preparing with a timer is beneficial for writing tasks. You need to remember that for task one you have to spend only 20 minutes not more than that. Follow the proper format for the writing section. As you develop and habituate with the skeleton of the writing task, your writing time will be decreased.

Also Check:

• How to prepare for IELTS?
• IELTS Exam Pattern 2024: Section-wise IELTS Exam Paper Pattern, Question Types
• IELTS Exam Fee 2024
• How to Apply for IELTS 2024| Step-By-Step Guide

What words should be avoided in IELTS writing?

Avoid using contractions in your sentences. Example, can’t, don’t, it’s etc. Slang words and colloquialisms should be avoided in the writing tasks. Do not use the same words repeatedly.

How many mistakes to get 7.5 in IELTS?

Out of the total 40 questions aim at scoring 30 correct answers for IELTS band 7.0, and 32 correct answers for IELTS band 7.5. The spelling of the answers should be correct with all the answers written within the provided word-limit.

Does handwriting affect IELTS score?

It makes no difference to your score. However, if your writing is difficult to read, you might lose points. If the examiner can’t read it, he or she won’t be able to give you a high score. Your writing MUST be clear and easy to read at all times!!

How strict is IELTS writing?

If you are sitting for the IELTS test, you might find the writing component difficult, especially if it’s your first time writing so extensively. With a strict time limit with specific tasks to accomplish, it’s easy to fumble the ball and make mistakes during the writing test.

How do examiners check IELTS writing?

The assessment criteria used by examiners is the same for both the General Training and Academic tests. Your answers in IELTS Writing Task 1 are assessed against the following criteria: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy.