IELTS Writing is a 60-minute sprint, not a marathon. The biggest reason Band 6.5 students miss Band 7 isn’t grammar—it’s pacing. Students over-invest in Task 1 or lose track of time mid-Task 2, leaving conclusions unfinished. This post gives you the minute-by-minute pacing plan I drill with every student aiming for Band 7+.
The Three-Stage Writing Clock
- Plan: 10 minutes total (3 for Task 1, 7 for Task 2).
- Draft: 45 minutes total (15 for Task 1, 30 for Task 2).
- Check: 5 minutes total (2 for Task 1, 3 for Task 2).
Task 2 is worth twice as many marks as Task 1. If you spend equal time on both, you’re leaking marks by design. Band 7+ students treat Task 2 as the main event: 40 minutes, minimum. That means Task 1 gets a hard cap—never more than 20 minutes, including planning and checking. This discipline alone lifts most students half a band.
The Two Most Common Pacing Failures
Minute-by-Minute: The 60-Minute Breakdown
- 00–03: Read Task 1, underline key data, sketch outline.
- 03–18: Write Task 1—focus on overview and key features.
- 18–20: Review Task 1—check for missing comparisons, grammar slips.
- 20–27: Read Task 2, brainstorm ideas, outline paragraphs.
- 27–57: Write Task 2—follow your outline, keep paragraphs tight.
- 57–60: Review Task 2—check for a real conclusion, link-back sentences, and grammar.
A Band 7 student spends 3 minutes outlining Task 1, 15 minutes writing, and 2 minutes checking. For Task 2, she spends 7 minutes planning, 30 minutes drafting, and 3 minutes checking, finishing with a strong conclusion and no rushed sentences.
IELTS Writing coaching session
Test Your Pacing Plan
- 1
How many minutes should you spend on Task 2 (including planning and checking)?
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.
- 2
True or False: It’s okay to spend 25 minutes on Task 1 if you have a lot of data to describe.
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.
- 3
What’s the main reason to check both tasks at the end?
Pick one. You'll see why straight away.