Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is General Training Writing different from Academic Writing?

Is General Training Writing easier than Academic Writing?

In what ways is General Training Writing Task 1 different from Task 2?

Is the marking equally weighted for the two tasks?

How is General Training Writing assessed?

What criteria are used to assess the answers?

When my students do practice tests, how can I give them an IELTS type score?

Are marks deducted for untidy handwriting?

How is General Training Writing different from Academic Writing?
The table shows that the first tasks in General Training Writing and Academic Writing are different. The differences in these tasks mean that candidates are required to produce different kinds of writing. The second tasks are quite similar in that they are both discursive and candidates may need to present a solution to a problem, present and justify an opinion, or evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. However, the topics in General Training Writing are topics of general interest which tend to be more concrete and personal than those in Academic Writing. The topics and instructions in General Training Writing require candidates to provide general factual information and usually do not require the same degree of comparison and contrast of evidence, opinion or implication, as Academic Writing does. The second task in Academic Writing also assumes an academic context and should therefore be formal in style.

	General Training Writing tasks	Academic Writing tasks
Task 1	Writing an informal, semi-formal or formal personal letter	Presenting information from a diagram (e.g. chart, table, graph or diagram)
Task 2	Writing a discursive piece of writing	Writing a discursive piece of writing that involves consideration of more abstract issues

Is General Training Writing easier than Academic Writing?
The assessment criteria used by IELTS examiners to assess the writing are the same for both tests and are applied using the same standards. There are some differences in the kinds of texts that candidates need to write for the two Modules, especially for Task 1. However, the band descriptors used for assessment take the differences in Task 1 output into account. Writing these different texts requires the ability to use different kinds of language, styles and writing conventions.

In what ways is General Training Writing Task 1 different to Task 2?
In Task 1 candidates are required to write an informal, semi-formal or formal letter. The input to this task is a brief description of a problem or situation followed by 3 bullet points with instructions on what information to write in the letter. Task 1 requires an answer of at least 150 words.

In Task 2, candidates write a discursive piece on a topic presented briefly to them in the input. This topic involves discussing a point of view, an argument or a problem. Task 2 requires an answer of at least 250 words.

The differences between the two tasks mean that candidates need to produce different kinds of writing in their two answers. Answers to Task 1 require candidates to respond to an imaginary situation with writing that is in an appropriate style and follows the conventions of letter writing in English. Answers to Task 2 require candidates to present their own opinions in the form of discursive writing.

Is the marking equally weighted for the two tasks?
Task 2 carries more marks than Task 1.

How is General Training Writing assessed?
The IELTS writing scripts are assessed by IELTS examiners. All IELTS examiners are fully trained in how to assess IELTS writing and speaking performances.

Examiners’ training is kept up to date by regular standardisation sessions and by a process called ‘certification’. This requires the examiners to demonstrate that throughout their examining they continue to adhere to the required assessment procedures and standards.

What criteria are used to assess the answers?
These are the assessment criteria used:

Task 1:	Task Achievement; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task 2:	Task Response; Coherence and Cohesion; Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy

When my students do practice tests, how can I give them an IELTS type score?
You can give your students valuable feedback on their progress by using the following:

1) Writing Band Descriptors (Public Version) (PDF)

2) Sample Scripts (PDF)

All of this information will help you to assess whether your students are performing well in their writing tasks as well as the areas they need to continue to work on.

Are marks deducted for untidy handwriting?
No, marks are not deducted for handwriting specifically but obviously an illegible script cannot be marked. Clear handwriting by candidates allows their message to be more easily understood by the examiner. Clear handwriting also helps students to communicate their ideas more effectively, so you should encourage your students to write as clearly as possible.

If you have any other questions about IELTS General Training Writing, please contact us and we'll answer the most frequently asked questions here.