Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing
Many students lose points in the IELTS Writing section due to avoidable mistakes. Knowing what to watch out for can dramatically improve your band score. At My Planet English (MPE), we help students identify common pitfalls and teach strategies to write clearly, coherently, and accurately.
1. Ignoring Task Requirements
Always read the prompt carefully
Make sure you address all parts of the question
Failing to do so can lower your score significantly
2. Poor Time Management
Allocate 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2
Practice writing under timed conditions
Helps ensure you complete both tasks effectively
3. Weak Introduction or Conclusion
Start with a clear introduction summarizing your main points
End with a concise conclusion
Avoid repeating ideas or leaving the essay unfinished
4. Overusing Simple Vocabulary
Using only basic words limits your lexical resource score
Learn and use synonyms, topic-specific words, and phrases
Example: instead of “good,” try beneficial, advantageous, effective
5. Grammar Mistakes
Common errors: subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and sentence fragments
Practice complex sentences carefully
Review and edit your essays before submission
6. Lack of Coherence and Cohesion
Use linking words: however, moreover, in contrast
Organize paragraphs logically
Make sure ideas flow smoothly from one to another
7. Writing Off-Topic or Repeating Ideas
Stay focused on the prompt
Avoid going off-topic or repeating the same idea in different words
Planning your essay before writing helps avoid this
8. Not Practicing Enough
Regular writing practice is crucial
Use sample IELTS prompts and get feedback
Practice helps build speed, accuracy, and confidence
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common mistakes can boost your IELTS Writing score quickly. Focus on task understanding, grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.
✅ At My Planet English, we guide students to write effectively, avoid errors, and achieve their target IELTS bands.