Why Writing a Long Essay is Not Good for Your IELTS Writing Task 2 Score

There is a myth floating around that you should write at least 300 words to score a Band 7 or higher on the Writing Task 2 portion of the IELTS exam. Not only is this unnecessary, but it could actually hurt your score if you go too long on the essay. This article gives some reasons why this is so.

First of all, time is a resource you cannot afford to waste when writing your essay. Once you reach the minimum 250 words, you need to focus on quality instead of quantity. You can score a Band 9 with only 250 words. More words do not increase your chances for obtaining a higher score. Quantity is only important up until you’ve reached the minimum 250 words. After that, quality is what you need to keep in mind as you write.

Second, the quality of your IELTS essay may suffer in your concluding paragraph if you find yourself running out of time. You may feel rushed, and many test-takers who have written quality introductions and body paragraphs let quality slip in the conclusion because of the need to finish in the allotted time. If you keep your essay between 250 and 290 words, not only can you write a quality conclusion, but you will also have time to go back and check your work.

Third, if you go long on the IELTS essay, you may not have the time to go back and check your work. This can make a difference in the score you want and the score you get. You should give yourself around five minutes at the end for proofreading your essay. You have a much better chance at a good score if you keep your essay between 250 and 290 words and have the necessary time for checking your work. Remember, after 250 words, it is quality rather than quantity that you are striving for.

Here is a rough guide for the number of words for each paragraph:
  • Introduction – 40 words
  • Body Paragraph 1 – 90 words
  • Body Paragraph 2 – 90 words
  • Conclusion – 30 words
You stand a better chance of achieving the score you want on the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay when you put greater attention on quality rather than quantity. As I said, it is possible to score a Band 9 with 250 words, and many test-takers have done this. Going long on the essay is not a strategy for increasing your score. It is the quality of your essay and not the length which will give you the success you desire to achieve.
24 Eylül 2018
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Stuart Ransom

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🔥 IELTS exam preparation is my specialty! 🔥 Hello, my name is Stuart, and I am a native-English speaker from America. I have a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University, a 120-hour TEFL certification, and six years of classroom experience teaching English. I am currently an English Lecturer at a university in Thailand. I specialize in preparing students for the IELTS exam. I teach students who are at the intermediate through advanced levels in English proficiency (sorry, no beginners). I offer a structured learning plan designed just for you that leads to your desired band score. You no longer need to guess about what you should do to get the band score you desire. After assessing your skill level, I will design a program for you that takes you step-by-step on your journey to success on the IELTS exam. You have the flexibility to choose what parts of the exam you wish to focus on. Do you want speaking practice only? Let's focus on that. Do you only want help with your w...
Flag
İngilizce
globe
Amerika Birleşik Devletleri
time
11
Konuşur:
İngilizce
Ana Dil
🔥 IELTS exam preparation is my specialty! 🔥 Hello, my name is Stuart, and I am a native-English speaker from America. I have a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University, a 120-hour TEFL certification, and six years of classroom experience teaching English. I am currently an English Lecturer at a university in Thailand. I specialize in preparing students for the IELTS exam. I teach students who are at the intermediate through advanced levels in English proficiency (sorry, no beginners). I offer a structured learning plan designed just for you that leads to your desired band score. You no longer need to guess about what you should do to get the band score you desire. After assessing your skill level, I will design a program for you that takes you step-by-step on your journey to success on the IELTS exam. You have the flexibility to choose what parts of the exam you wish to focus on. Do you want speaking practice only? Let's focus on that. Do you only want help with your w...
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