Beat the Clock: How to Write a High-Scoring Essay in 40 Minutes

Many IELTS students run out of time while writing Task 2. They either:

❌ Spend too long thinking of ideas
❌ Rush through writing and make mistakes
❌ Finish late and skip proofreading

Here’s how to manage your time efficiently and complete a well-structured essay within 40 minutes!

Step 1: Follow the Ideal Time Breakdown

⏳ 1-2 minutes: Analyzing the question
📝 5-7 minutes: Brainstorming & Planning
✍️ 25-30 minutes: Writing the essay
🔍 5 minutes: Reviewing & Correcting Mistakes

💡 Pro Tip: If you spend too long brainstorming, you’ll rush your essay. Stick to your time limits!

Step 2: The Power of Quick Planning

Some students skip planning to “save time”—but this is a mistake! A simple plan helps you:

✔️ Avoid getting stuck mid-way
✔️ Write faster with clear ideas
✔️ Ensure a balanced argument

📌 Example Quick Plan:

Question: “Some people think technology makes life more complex. Others believe it simplifies our lives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

Body Paragraph 1 (More Complex):

People now depend too much on technology
Social media = stress & distractions
Example: Many professionals work 24/7 due to emails

Body Paragraph 2 (Simplifies Life):

Easier communication (video calls, instant messages)
Online shopping & banking save time
Example: AI helps automate tasks in businesses

Conclusion: Tech has both pros & cons, but benefits outweigh negatives

💡 Planning takes only 5-7 minutes but helps you write FASTER!

Step 3: Reviewing Your Essay in 5 Minutes

The final 5 minutes should be spent on checking and fixing mistakes.

🔍 What to Check?

✅ Grammar & Spelling – Any errors in verbs, articles, punctuation?
✅ Coherence & Cohesion – Are sentences logically connected?
✅ Word Count – Do you have at least 250 words?

💡 Trick: Read your essay backward (sentence by sentence) to spot errors easily!

Final Takeaway: Stick to the 40-Minute Strategy!

Analyze the question (2 min) – Identify keywords & task type
Plan ideas (5-7 min) – Outline your main points
Write efficiently (25-30 min) – Follow the 4-paragraph structure
Review (5 min) – Fix errors & improve clarity

Mastering time management is the key to finishing strong in IELTS Writing! 🚀