The Writing test in brief
You have 60 minutes for two tasks.
- Task 1 needs at least 150 words. On the Academic test you describe a graph, table, chart, process or map. On General Training you write a letter, which may be formal, semi-formal or informal.
- Task 2 needs at least 250 words and is an essay responding to an opinion, a problem, an advantages-and-disadvantages question, or a two-part question. Task 2 counts for more than Task 1, so give it about 40 minutes.
The four criteria examiners use
Both tasks are marked on four equally weighted criteria:
- Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2): do you answer every part of the question with relevant, developed ideas?
- Coherence and Cohesion: is your writing logically organised, with clear paragraphs and linking that is accurate rather than mechanical?
- Lexical Resource: do you use a range of vocabulary precisely, with correct spelling and collocation?
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: do you use a variety of structures, and how many of your sentences are error-free?
IELTS Learning gives you an AI-estimated band for each criterion, with comments, so you can see which one is holding you back.
Common mistakes we see from Kuwait's test takers
Kuwait's mix of nationalities means the typical errors vary. These are patterns teachers often notice; they are about habits, not ability.
Arabic speakers (Kuwaiti, Egyptian, Syrian, Jordanian and others)
- Very long sentences joined by "and" or commas. In formal Arabic this can be good style; in English it usually lowers Coherence and Grammar. Aim for two or three clear sentences instead.
- Articles: dropping "a" and "the", or using "the" before general nouns ("The education is important").
- Spelling of vowels, such as "studint" or "envirnment", because short vowels are often not written in Arabic.
Indian and South Asian speakers (Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Bengali and others)
- Local English expressions that are natural at work in the Gulf but unusual in IELTS: "do the needful", "revert back", "kindly", "prepone", "updation".
- Continuous tense with state verbs: "I am having two children", "he is knowing the answer".
- Over-formal openings in GT informal letters. A letter to a friend should sound like one.
Filipino speakers
- Prepositions and articles: "discuss about", "based from", "the society".
- Very short, list-like paragraphs in Task 2, with ideas that are stated but not explained.
Across all groups
- Memorised introductions such as "In this modern era of technology, it is a debatable issue..." Examiners recognise these instantly, and they waste words.
- Over-long introductions. Two sentences are enough: paraphrase the question, then give your position.
- No overview in Academic Task 1. Without a clear summary of the main trends, Task Achievement is usually capped.
How to practise Writing effectively
- Write by the clock. 20 minutes for Task 1, 40 for Task 2. Type if you are taking the computer test.
- Read the AI feedback criterion by criterion. Rewrite one paragraph based on the comments before moving on.
- Keep a personal error list. Use the Mistake Notebook and your own notes to track your three most frequent grammar errors.
- Rotate question types. Our 104 prompts cover charts, tables, processes, maps, all GT letter types and every Task 2 essay type.
- Study the Writing chapters in Study Notes, especially on paragraph structure and Task 1 overviews.
Where a teacher helps most
AI feedback is fast and consistent, and you can use it on every essay. A teacher adds judgement: why your argument is unclear, whether your examples are relevant, or why your band has plateaued at 6.5. With Book a Teacher, you can have a 1-to-1 online session of about 20 minutes from $5 to go through one or two essays in detail. Many students book one session early and another a few weeks later to check progress.
Fitting Writing into a Kuwaiti schedule
Writing needs a quiet hour, which is not always easy in a shared flat in Hawalli or Farwaniya or a busy family home. Some students find that the early morning before work or the late evening after the house quietens is best; on Fridays, an hour before lunch can work well. Nurses on night shifts sometimes write a Task 1 during a quiet hour, then complete Task 2 at home. Two or three full writing sessions a week is enough for steady progress if you act on the feedback each time.
Start writing today
Register free to take the sample mock, which includes a full Writing section with feedback. Full Access unlocks all 104 prompts for 2 months at $12. You can also read our weekly tips on the blog.