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Common IELTS Writing mistakes

~4 min read · See the traps before you fall into them

Most band scores aren't capped by vocabulary - they're capped by avoidable habits. Here are the ones we see most, and the fix for each.

1. Not answering the actual question

Candidates memorise an answer and bend the prompt to fit it. Fix: underline the task words and the keywords, and address every part directly.

2. Going under the word count

Task 1 needs 150+ words, Task 2 needs 250+. Under-length is an automatic penalty. Fix: learn roughly how many lines your handwriting/typing takes to reach the minimum.

3. Memorised "template" language

Examiners recognise template phrases instantly, and they don't count as your own language. Fix: learn flexible structures, not fixed sentences.

4. Overcomplicating sentences

Long sentences with errors score lower than short, correct ones. Fix: prioritise accuracy; add complexity only when you can control it.

5. No planning

Unplanned essays drift and repeat. Fix: spend 5 minutes mapping your position and two main ideas before you write.

6. Ignoring the clock

Spending too long on Task 1 (worth less) starves Task 2 (worth more). Fix: ~20 minutes on Task 1, ~40 on Task 2.

The pattern: nearly every mistake here is a process problem, not a knowledge problem - which is exactly what simulation and feedback fix.

Fix these with real feedback.

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