Writing
Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, so protect the 40 minutes it needs. Under-length answers are penalised automatically, and so are memorised paragraphs that do not answer the question.
| Task | Focus | Format | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 · Academic | Report on visual data | 150 words minimum · 20 minutes · 1/3 of the Writing mark | 1 task |
| Task 1 · General | Letter | 150 words minimum · 20 minutes · 1/3 of the Writing mark | 1 task |
| Task 2 · Both | Discursive essay | 250 words minimum · 40 minutes · 2/3 of the Writing mark | 1 task |
Describe a graph, table, chart, map or process — select, compare and report key features.
What it tests: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
Write a formal, semi-formal or personal letter responding to a situation, covering three bullet points.
What it tests: Task Achievement plus consistent register — the tone must match the reader.
Respond to an opinion, discussion, problem–solution, or two-part question.
What it tests: A clear position held throughout, developed ideas, paragraphing and accurate complex grammar.
The four marking criteria
Each criterion is worth 25% of the Writing band. Your task band is their average.
Task 1: covering all key features. Task 2: answering every part of the question with a clear position.
Logical paragraphing and linking that does not feel mechanical.
Precise, less common vocabulary used naturally, with few spelling slips.
Complex sentences attempted and mostly controlled — at Band 7, the majority are error-free.