How to Manage 60 Minutes in IELTS Writing (A Timed Breakdown)
Running out of time on Task 2 is one of the most avoidable score losses in IELTS Writing. Here's exactly how to split your 60 minutes — and what to do when the clock is against you.
Sixty minutes. Two tasks. One of the most common reasons candidates underperform in IELTS Writing has nothing to do with their English — it's time. They spend 30 minutes on Task 1, leaving barely enough time to write a coherent Task 2. Or they write a strong Task 2 and rush Task 1 into two paragraphs.
Time management in IELTS Writing is a learnable skill. And since Task 2 is worth twice as much as Task 1, the stakes of getting it wrong are high.
Why Task 2 must come first in your planning
Task 2 carries twice the weighting of Task 1 in your Writing band score. That means a weak Task 2 will damage your score more than a weak Task 1. Despite this, many candidates spend disproportionate time on Task 1 — either because it feels easier, or because they work through the paper in order without thinking about time allocation.
Tip
Even though Task 1 appears first on the paper, consider planning Task 2 first — or at least reading it first — so it's clear in your mind before you begin writing. Some candidates write Task 2 first entirely. Both approaches work; what matters is protecting your Task 2 time.
The recommended time split
| Activity | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Read both tasks | 2 min | Identify essay type (Task 2) and chart type (Task 1) |
| Plan Task 2 | 5 min | Decide position, plan 2 body paragraph points with examples |
| Write Task 2 | 33 min | ~270–290 words; don't go under 250 |
| Plan Task 1 | 3 min | Identify overview trends and select key data |
| Write Task 1 | 15 min | ~160–180 words; don't go under 150 |
| Proofread both | 2 min | Correct errors, check word count |
Total: 60 minutes exactly. This split gives Task 2 roughly double the time of Task 1 — matching the double weighting.
What to do if you run short on Task 1
If you find yourself at the 55-minute mark with Task 1 unfinished, do not panic. Write your overview if you haven't already — the overview is the highest-impact paragraph in Task 1. Then write one body paragraph with the most significant data comparisons. A response with a clear overview and one well-developed body paragraph will score better on Task Achievement than a longer response with no overview.
Watch out
Never submit a Task 1 response under 150 words. There is an automatic penalty for responses that are significantly below the word count, and Task Achievement will be scored down regardless of quality.
What to do if you run short on Task 2
If you only have 10 minutes left for Task 2, you have two options. Option A: write a complete but shorter essay — a tight introduction, one well-developed body paragraph, and a brief conclusion. 250 words done well beats 350 words rushed. Option B: finish the essay structure without developing every point fully. A logical skeleton with key ideas present will score better than abandoning the conclusion entirely.
Whatever you do: always write a conclusion. An essay with no conclusion loses marks under both Task Achievement and Coherence & Cohesion.
The planning minutes are not optional
Candidates who skip the planning step — going straight to writing — consistently produce weaker, less coherent essays. The 5 minutes spent planning Task 2 pays back in clearer argument structure, better paragraph flow, and fewer mid-paragraph changes of direction that confuse the reader.
Your plan doesn't need to be elaborate. For Task 2: write your position, write two bullet points — one idea per body paragraph — and for each, write the example you'll use. That's enough. For Task 1: write the overview sentence and note which two sets of data you'll discuss in each body paragraph.
Building exam-pace habits through practice
The biggest mistake in preparation is practising without a timer. If you've always written your practice essays over 90 minutes, you will not be able to perform in 60 on exam day. Your brain needs to experience the pace — not just know about it.
- 1For the next 4 practice sessions, set a strict 60-minute timer and stop when it ends, regardless of where you are in the essay.
- 2After each session, note where you ran out of time. Task 1 overrun? Task 2 planning took too long? Proofreading skipped?
- 3Adjust your split based on your personal bottleneck — not the generic recommendation.
- 4Once you can reliably finish within 60 minutes, introduce timed planning practice: plan a Task 2 in under 5 minutes on a blank prompt.
Tip
IELTS Memo's Guide Mode works in real time with your writing, giving you live coaching on structure as you write. Practising in Guide Mode helps you build the habit of writing with structure from the first sentence — which saves time on exam day.
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