Common IELTS Writing Mistakes People Make in 2023

Before delving into the common mistakes, let's have a quick overview of the IELTS writing test format.

Majorly, IELTS Exam is conducted in two types – Academic and General.

IELTS Academic Exam is conducted for those candidates who want to study in abroad universities. It held into 4 parts – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You can check the IELTS Academic Writing task format below.

• Academic Writing Task 1 - In this task, candidates are presented with a visual representation of information, such as a graph, chart, table, or diagram. They are required to describe the information in a clear and organised manner. The key is to highlight the main trends and significant details.

• Academic Writing Task 2 – In this task, candidates are presented with a statement or question related to a general topic. They need to write an essay in response, expressing their opinion, providing arguments, and supporting them with relevant examples.

IELTS General Exam is conducted for those candidates who want to work in English-speaking countries. It is also held into 4 parts – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You can check the IELTS General Writing task format below.

• General Writing Task 1 - In this variation of Task 1, candidates are given a situation and asked to write a letter. The letter can be formal, semi-formal, or informal, depending on the context. Overall, the focus is on addressing the purpose of the letter effectively.

• General Writing Task 2 - Candidates are given a statement or question about a broad topic in this task. In response, they must compose an essay stating their opinions, back them up with a rationale, and include pertinent examples.

After knowing the IELTS Exam format, let's explore the common mistakes candidates often make in IELTS writing and learn how to avoid them.

One common mistake in IELTS Exam is failing to meet the word count requirement. Task 2 essays typically require a minimum of 250 words. Failing to reach this word count can result in a lower score. So, candidates must make sure to practice writing essays that meet the word count without exceeding it.

While meeting the minimum word count is crucial, writing excessively long essays might lead to losing coherence and focus. Hence, you should avoid this mistake in IELTS and keep your essay concise and relevant.

Candidates sometimes stray from the main question or fail to address all aspects of it. Therefore, candidates should carefully read and analyse the question to get a good IELTS Band score and ensure that their essay addresses each part effectively.

Repeating the question in your essay does not add value; rather wastes precious word count. Therefore, focus on directly answering the question and providing relevant examples.

Grammatical accuracy is a crucial aspect of testing your writing skills. Candidates often make errors in tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and more. Thus, regular practice, grammar check tools, and seeking feedback can help improve grammatical accuracy and avoid mistakes in IELTS Exam.

Using linking words and cohesive devices is essential for a well-structured essay, but overusing them can make your writing seem mechanical and hinder readability. So, it's important to use these devices judiciously for a smooth flow of ideas.

Repetitive vocabulary can make your writing monotonous. To avoid this mistake in IELTS, you should incorporate a range of vocabulary, including synonyms and advanced words, to showcase your language skills.

Essays should have a clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each section should have a clear central idea, as not adhering to this structure can lead to a disorganised essay.

Task 2 essays require candidates to express their opinion but be cautious. You should ensure that your opinion is well-balanced and supported by logical reasoning and examples. Avoid extreme stances in the essay asked in the exam.

Practice is key to improving your writing skills. Therefore, regularly write essays, get them reviewed by experts or peers, and learn from your mistakes.

Develop a strategy for tackling both tasks, especially Task 2. Allocate time for planning, writing, and revising, as consistent practice with these strategies can improve your efficiency.

IELTS writing demands a formal tone, and candidates usually use contractions language in the test.  But, to get a good band score, candidates should avoid contractions (e.g., "don't," "can't"), slang, and overly casual language. Overall, it is crucial to maintain a professional and academic tone throughout your essay on IELTS Test.

In addition to the previously mentioned common mistakes, candidates often stumble upon a range of other challenges while attempting the IELTS writing tasks. These mistakes can significantly impact the overall quality of your essay and, ultimately, your band score.

Let's delve deeper into these pitfalls and explore strategies to overcome them.

One of the critical blunders candidates make is prioritising Task 1 over Task 2 in the Academic module. Task 1 is more straightforward since it involves describing visual data. However, Task 2 carries more weight in terms of scoring and assessment.

Task 2 allows you to demonstrate your ability to engage in a more complex and in-depth discussion on a given topic. Neglecting it by dedicating too much time to Task 1 can result in an imbalanced essay and a lower overall score.

To avoid this mistake in IELTS, allocate a reasonable amount of time for each task and ensure that your Task 2 response receives ample attention.

A hurried approach to writing can lead to various errors, including grammar, punctuation, and coherence issues. Neglecting revisions and proofreading can undermine the clarity and accuracy of your essay.

It's crucial to allocate time for reviewing your work after writing. During this phase, focus on identifying and rectifying grammatical errors, ensuring proper punctuation, and enhancing the overall coherence of your essay.

You should remember that a polished essay not only reflects your language proficiency but also your attention to detail.

Time management is a skill that's indispensable in the IELTS writing test. Candidates sometimes struggle to allocate their time wisely between planning, writing, and revising. Effective time management involves setting clear time limits for each phase of the writing process.

For instance, allocate 5-7 minutes for planning, around 30 minutes for writing, and the remaining time for revising and proofreading. Save time on all aspects, as this can lead to an imbalanced essay and compromise the quality of other sections.

A common pitfall needs more elaboration and examples to support your arguments. Your essay's strength lies in the depth of your analysis and the relevance of your examples. When presenting your viewpoints, be sure to offer detailed explanations that showcase your ability to articulate ideas effectively.

Additionally, bolster your arguments with well-chosen, real-world examples. These examples should be directly related to the topic and support your assertions. Remember that a persuasive essay requires a robust foundation of information and examples.

While minor punctuation and IELTS writing spelling mistakes might appear insignificant, they can disrupt the flow of your essay and create an impression of carelessness. Double-checking your work for correct punctuation and accurate spelling is essential. It will help you to avoid such mistakes in IELTS Exam.

You should use appropriate punctuation marks, such as commas, semicolons, and apostrophes, to convey your ideas accurately. IELTS Writing Spelling mistakes can be mitigated by using spell-check tools, but it's always wise to manually review your work as well.

Beyond grammatical accuracy, sentence structure plays a pivotal role in the coherence and readability of your essay. Candidates occasionally fall into the trap of using monotonous sentence structures or neglecting subject-verb agreement. This common mistake in IELTS Exam may lead to your band score being down.

A mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences can add dynamism to your writing. Furthermore, pay attention to subject-verb agreement and ensure your sentences are grammatically sound.

An essay lacking proper organisation and structure can confuse readers and obscure your arguments. Each paragraph should have a clear central theme related to your essay's topic. The essay's progression should be logical and coherent, with each paragraph smoothly transitioning to the next.

To achieve this, plan your essay's structure before you begin writing. Create an outline outlining each paragraph's main points and their logical sequence. This will guide you in maintaining a coherent and well-organized essay.

Misinterpreting the task is a significant pitfall that can lead to producing an off-topic essay. Before you start writing, carefully read and understand the task instructions. Identify the specific requirements, such as whether you need to present an argument, provide an opinion, or discuss both sides of an issue.

By fully comprehending the task's expectations, you can ensure that your essay aligns with the assigned topic and fulfils the task's purpose.

Q1. How important is vocabulary in IELTS writing?

Ans. Vocabulary plays a significant role in conveying ideas effectively. A rich vocabulary allows you to express nuances, making your writing more engaging and impressive.

Q2. Is it better to write more than the required word count?

Ans. While exceeding the word count isn't advisable, writing a slightly longer essay is acceptable if the content remains relevant and well-structured.

Q3. Can I use personal experiences in Task 2 essays?

Ans. Yes, you can use personal experiences, but ensure they are relevant to the topic and support your arguments. Balance personal examples with broader observations.

Q4. How can I improve my time management during the writing test?

Ans. Practice writing essays within the time limit. Allocate specific time for planning, writing, and revising. Gradually, you'll become more adept at managing your time effectively.

The IELTS writing test can be challenging, but with consistent practice and awareness of common mistakes in IELTS Writing, you can improve your performance. Avoiding these mistakes in IELTS Test will not only enhance your chances of scoring well but also contribute to your overall growth as a proficient English writer.

Remember to focus on clarity, coherence, and demonstrating a range of language skills. Regular practice, feedback, and self-assessment will undoubtedly lead to success in the IELTS writing section.

We hope you enjoyed learning about common mistakes in IELTS that candidates make. If you would like to get a deeper insight into it, we encourage you to speak with our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad journey.

Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.