IELTS International English Language Testing System

04/04/2026

How much time should I spend planning?

Some teachers recommend planning for at least 10 minutes. Although this sounds like helpful advice, I believe most students become too anxious to devote that much time to planning. Other teachers suggest spending around 3 minutes. This is enough to outline the main ideas, but not sufficient for planning supporting details or organising those ideas properly.
I recommend spending at least 5 minutes on planning. You should practise planning your essay and calculate how long it actually takes you to develop a strong structure. No matter what you decide, it is important to recognise that planning is essential. A lack of planning is the most common reason why many students perform poorly.

03/04/2026

Should I spend time planning my essay?

Yes, you should. Half of your score is based on your ability to answer the essay question directly, present relevant ideas, support them logically, and organise your thoughts clearly. This includes both logical paragraphing and a coherent flow of ideas. Therefore, dedicating time to planning is essential for anyone aiming for a band score of 6, 7, 8, or 9.
When you begin writing Task 2, you will feel tired. You have already completed two reading tests and a writing task. As a result, your concentration and energy levels will be low. It is easy to make mistakes with the essay question, lose focus, and present disorganised ideas. This is another reason planning matters. It allows you to concentrate on expressing your ideas. Planning also makes the writing process easier and helps you produce a strong essay

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02/04/2026

Adding Words using “^”
You can insert extra words into your sentences, but ensure that the writing remains clear and easy to read. If you plan your essay well, you shouldn’t need to do this frequently. It is better to avoid starting your essay until you have a clear outline, including your ideas and supporting details.

Messy Writing
If the examiner cannot read your handwriting, any unclear words or sentences will not be marked. This can negatively affect your overall score. Therefore, make sure that crossed-out words are obvious, added words are legible, and your handwriting is neat. Practising writing your essays by hand before the exam can be helpful

02/04/2026

Is it acceptable to strike through words and add corrections in your writing?
Can I introduce new words using the “V” symbol to insert them?
Will my band score drop if my writing looks untidy?
Answer – Removing Words
You are allowed to cross out words in the IELTS Writing test. It is normal to revise your work while proofreading or when you notice an error after writing a sentence. Many test takers simply draw a line through the word they want to remove. If you do this, ensure the line is thick and obvious. The examiner should clearly see that the word has been cancelled.

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26/03/2026

The biggest challenge IELTS students face in reading is time management. The only solution to that is skimming, scanning and analysis.

25/07/2025

25/07/2024

IELTS Tutorial Center in Nsukka!

There is also room for online classes.