IELTS Writing Task 2 Time Management – How to Write an Essay in 40 Minutes

In IELTS Writing Task 2, one of the hardest parts is having to write a well-organised, logical essay in just 40 minutes. A lot of people have trouble finishing on time, and some rush and do poor work.

What you’ll learn in this piece is:

• A step-by-step plan for 40 minutes
• How long should you spend on each part?
• Tips and tricks that will help you plan and write faster
• Writing templates that save time
• Time mistakes that people often make and how to fix them

Why managing your time is so important

To finish the IELTS Writing test, you have 60 minutes:

• Task 1: Write 150 words; give yourself 20 minutes
• Task 2: Write 250 words; give yourself 40 minutes

It’s important to make good use of your 40 minutes since Task 2 is worth twice as many points.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Breakdown in 40 Minutes

Task	Time
Step 1: Think about and plan	5 minutes
Step 2: Write an introduction	5 minutes
Step 3: Write Part 1 of the body	10 minutes
Step 4: Write the second body paragraph	10 minutes
Step 5: Write the ending	5 minutes
Step 6: Look over and make changes	5 minutes

We will look at each step in more depth.

Step 1: Think about it and make a plan (5 minutes)
Why it’s important: It is easier and faster to write an essay that has been thought out.

Things to do:

• Figure out what kind of writing it is (opinion, discussion, problem–solution, etc.)
• Highlight words in the question
• Choose your stance (agree/disagree, pros/cons, etc.)
• Come up with two main ideas and give examples
• Make a quick outline: introduction, body 1, body 2, conclusion

To help you plan, for each body piece use the PEEL structure (Point, Explain, Example, Link).

Step 2: Write the beginning (5 minutes)
Goal: Get to the point of your topic and major idea without making things too hard.

What to put in:

• What is the question again?
• Give your thoughts or an overview

Example of an opinion essay: Some people say [topic paraphrased], but I really think that [your opinion].

Tip to save time: Learn how to use variable introduction structures and change them on the test.

Step 3: Write the first body paragraph
Goal: Make your first key idea very clear.

Building:

• Subject line
• What it means
• Example
• Last linked sentence (optional)

Example: One main reason why fast food shouldn’t be illegal is that everyone should be able to choose what they want to eat. For example, many people should be able to fully understand the health effects and not be limited by government rules.

Tip: Don’t think too much; instead, focus on one good idea and show how it makes sense.

Step 4: Write the second body paragraph (10 minutes)
Goal: Make your second key idea stand out just as much.

It has the same structure as Body Paragraph 1. Try these things:

• Change the words that connect them
• Bring in a new example
• Don’t use words from paragraph 1 again

Example: Another thing is that banning fast food might hurt small businesses that depend on this market, which wasn’t meant to happen. A lot of people in the area make a living by selling quick meals to people who are on the go.

Step 5: Write the ending (5 minutes)
Goal: Restate your stance and briefly sum up your points.

What to put in:

• A list of your main points
• Last word or advice (if needed)

Example: Finally, I agree that worries about fast food are reasonable, but I think that educating people and making them more responsible are better than outlawing it completely.

Tip: Don’t add any new points of view here.

Step 6: Look it over and make changes (5 minutes)
Goal: Use final checks to make sure everything is correct and clear.

Things to look over:

• Spelling and grammar
• Repeated words (try using synonyms)
• Sentence types (compound, complex, simple)
• Tense consistency
• Transitions and clear topic lines

Tips for editing:

• Change words like “good,” “many,” and “bad” that are used too often
• Swap out “and” for a more complex linking word like “furthermore” or “in addition”
• Make sure that every piece has a clear main idea

Common Mistakes People Make When Managing Their Time and How to Fix Them

Mistake	Problem	Fix
Planning for 10+ minutes	Not enough time to read or write	Only plan for five minutes
Long introductions	Waste time	Just two or three lines
Writing too much (350+ words)	More language mistakes	Aim for 260–290 words
No time to review	Errors remain	Always reserve 5 minutes to check

Example of a Time Log for a High Band Essay
Essay topic: Some people think that governments should not allow plastic packages. Should I agree or not?

Time	Task
0–5 mins	Highlighted words, picked “disagree,” and made a list of ideas: 1) Easy access, 2) Better answer = knowledge
5–10 mins	Beginning: paraphrased + opinion
10–20 mins	Body 1: Plastic is handy and useful; for example, it can keep food fresh
20–30 mins	Body 2: Instead of banning, it’s better to encourage recycling and instruction
30–35 mins	In conclusion: In short, restated opinion
35–40 mins	Fixed one tense mistake and edited three lines. Added more words for “people” to mean “consumers”

Total words: 275
Time: 39 minutes
Structure and clarity: Ready to go

How to Write Faster Without Losing Quality

• Change the themes you use: Learn how to put together introductions, conclusions, and topic lines
• Practice under real test conditions: Time yourself for 40 minutes
• Plan with short points: Use bullet points to list idea, reason, example
• Set small due dates: Give yourself 20 minutes for both body paragraphs
• Improve typing or writing speed: Practice typing quickly and accurately if you’re taking the test on a computer

Example of a 40-Minute Essay Plan

Essay topic: A lot of people believe that social media is bad for people and for society as a whole. Should I agree or not?

Plan:

• Start: Rephrase and disagree with the whole sentence
• Body 1: Social media helps people around the world stay in touch
• Body 2: Trouble comes from using the platform too much, not the platform itself
• Conclusion: Social media is not inherently bad; knowledge is very important

Estimated word count: 270
Writing time: No more than 40 minutes

Vocabulary Templates That Save Time

Section	Template
Beginning	Some people argue about [subject], but I think that [your view]
Body TS	This is a main reason why… / This is another important reason why…
Thoughts	For example… / This is a good example of…
In conclusion	In the end, even though [summary], I still think that [stated view]

The Topic Sentence, or TS

Thoughts for Now
No matter what, anyone can finish a Band 7+ essay in 40 minutes if they know what to do. Don’t forget:

• Plan for five minutes
• Make your four-paragraph framework clear
• Give yourself five minutes to revise
• Use one idea per body paragraph
• Do timed practice regularly

Time management skills are important for IELTS Writing Task 2. They not only help you finish on time, but also help you write better, faster, and with more confidence.

Call to Action
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