IELTS Writing Task 2 Checker
Verify your essay readiness before test day. Deterministic word counts, 250-word official threshold validation, exam timer, and structure guidance — processed instantly in your browser.
About this tool
Select from 12 original practice prompts or enter your own, write with our 40-minute exam timer, and check your essay readiness in one click. Your essay is never stored.
Write your essay in English. Aim for at least 250 words to match the official IELTS Writing Task 2 guidance. We do not store your essay.
Qualitative AI feedback is not yet enabled
We are not running a live AI review in the public tool yet. Use this page for deterministic readiness checks, then return later once qualitative feedback is enabled.
What qualitative feedback will look like
When enabled, you will receive structured feedback across the four IELTS Writing Task 2 criteria, with grounded evidence quotes, prioritised improvements, focused corrections, and a single revision exercise. We will not display a numerical band score or claim any official IELTS outcome.
Important disclaimers
Prompts are original practice items created by AdmissionArena for practice purposes. They are not official IELTS materials.
AdmissionArena is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, IDP, or the British Council.
Your essay remains entirely inside your browser. We never persist, log, or send your essay to any external server.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool give an IELTS band score?
No. We do not generate or display band scores. The page gives deterministic readiness checks only — it tells you whether the word count and limits look workable, not whether the writing is good.
Are these official IELTS questions?
No. These are original practice prompts written by AdmissionArena. They are practice items only, modelled on common Task 2 structures.
Why is qualitative AI feedback not yet enabled?
We are still validating the AI runtime safely. Until qualitative feedback is enabled in the public tool, the page will keep showing the same readiness checks and an honest unavailable message.
Do you store my essay?
No. The essay stays in your browser. We do not persist it on our servers, and we never log it to analytics, error tracking, or telemetry.
Is my data sent to any AI provider right now?
No. The AI runtime is disabled. Nothing leaves your browser while you use this page.
How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Evaluated
In official IELTS examinations (both Academic and General Training), Task 2 accounts for two-thirds (66.7%) of your total Writing band score. Certified examiners assess your response across four equally weighted criteria (25% each):
Fully answering all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position throughout, and extending main ideas with relevant supporting arguments and examples.
Logical progression of ideas, clear central topics in each paragraph, and seamless use of linking words, referencing, and substitution without overuse.
Using a wide range of academic vocabulary with precise collocations, appropriate style, and minimal spelling or word-formation inaccuracies.
Employing a flexible mix of complex sentence structures (conditionals, relative clauses, passive voice) while maintaining high punctuation accuracy.
The 40-Minute Exam Time Management Strategy
Managing your 40 minutes efficiently is the single biggest factor distinguishing Band 6 and Band 8 candidates. Follow this proven breakdown:
1. Prompt Deconstruction & Outline
Highlight micro-keywords, determine the essay structure (opinion, discussion, etc.), and outline 2 central body ideas with examples.
2. Draft the 4-Paragraph Essay (260–280 Words)
Introduction (45 words) → Body Paragraph 1 (90 words) → Body Paragraph 2 (90 words) → Conclusion (45 words).
3. Proofreading & Mechanical Corrections
Check subject-verb agreement, singular/plural noun endings, commas, article usage (a/an/the), and spelling.
Word Count Rules & Guidelines
Candidates often wonder how strictly the 250-word rule is enforced in IELTS Writing Task 2. Here are the factual guidelines from official testing bodies:
- Below 250 words: Automatic penalty under Task Achievement. Even a well-written 230-word essay will typically be capped at Band 5 for Task Achievement.
- 250 to 290 words (The Sweet Spot): Fulfills all criteria thoroughly while leaving adequate time for planning and editing.
- Over 350 words: There is no direct penalty for long essays, but writing excessively long responses increases grammar errors, reduces cohesion, and risks incomplete work due to time pressure.
- How words are counted: Hyphenated words (e.g. well-known) count as one word. Numbers and contractions (though contractions should be avoided in formal academic writing) count as one word.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 QuestionsWhat is the penalty for writing under 250 words in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Writing fewer than 250 words incurs an automatic penalty under Task Achievement. Under official IDP and British Council criteria, an essay significantly below 250 words (e.g. under 200 words) cannot score above Band 5 in Task Achievement, regardless of vocabulary or grammar quality.
What is the ideal word count for IELTS Writing Task 2?
The ideal sweet spot is between 260 and 290 words. This range allows you to fully develop two central arguments with concrete examples while leaving sufficient time (7 minutes) for planning and proofreading.
Is Task 2 the same for IELTS Academic and General Training?
Yes. IELTS Writing Task 2 is identical in format, 40-minute timing, 250-word minimum, and scoring criteria across both Academic and General Training modules. (Only Task 1 differs: Academic requires describing data/charts, while General Training requires a letter).
How are IELTS Writing Task 2 band scores calculated across the 4 criteria?
Examiners grade your response across four equally weighted criteria (25% each): Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. Task 2 carries double the weight (66.7%) of your overall Writing band score compared to Task 1 (33.3%).
What is the recommended paragraph structure for a Band 8 Task 2 essay?
A standard 4-paragraph structure is recommended: Paragraph 1 (Introduction with paraphrase and clear thesis statement, ~45 words); Paragraph 2 (First main body argument with explanation and concrete evidence, ~90 words); Paragraph 3 (Second main body argument with analysis and examples, ~90 words); Paragraph 4 (Conclusion summarizing key arguments and restating your position, ~40 words).
Can I use personal pronouns like "I" or "my" in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Yes, when stating your thesis or opinion in the introduction and conclusion (e.g., "In my view", "I believe that"). However, main body paragraphs should remain objective, evidence-based, and academic rather than personal anecdotes.
Are contractions allowed in IELTS Writing Task 2?
No. Contractions such as "don't", "can't", or "it's" are informal and should be avoided in IELTS Academic and General Task 2 essays. Always write the full forms ("do not", "cannot", "it is") to preserve your Lexical Resource and Grammatical Accuracy score.
Why do many candidates get stuck at Band 6.0 or 6.5 in Task 2?
The primary reasons are: over-reliance on memorized cookie-cutter templates, failing to fully extend and support points with relevant examples, and forcing unnatural "high-level" vocabulary that results in incorrect collocations.
How should I allocate my 40 minutes during the exam?
A proven allocation is: 5 minutes planning and outlining main ideas, 28 minutes drafting your 4-paragraph essay (aiming for 265–280 words), and 7 minutes proofreading for subject-verb agreement, singular/plural endings, and articles.
Is my essay private and secure when using this tool?
Yes. Your essay is processed exclusively inside your local browser memory. We never persist, log, or transmit your writing to external databases, telemetry, or AI models.
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