1) Should I apply for a re-mark?
From the comments below this lesson, it seems that scores most often remain the same when students ask for a re-mark. I would only recommend applying for one if you are really confident that you did well, and you only need a 0.5 band improvement in speaking or writing.
2) How much of the writing score is given for task 1 and task 2?
You get one third of the score for task 1, and two thirds for task 2.
3) Do I need to include all of the data in my task 1 essay?
No, the question will always ask you to select key points. There is usually too much data for a 150-word essay. Also, your ability to select key data will impress the examiner.
4) Should I put a future sentence in my task 2 conclusion?
No, you don't need to do that (although you can if it's relevant). I usually just repeat or summarise my ideas in one sentence. It's better to spend more time on the main paragraphs than on a long conclusion.
5) Do the reading and listening tests become more difficult in each section?
The listening test does; section 1 is easy and section 4 is the most difficult. However, the same is not true of the reading test; sometimes the first section is the hardest.
According to our level in English, we should keep our views about IELTS test questions to our self. It is not our job to say this question difficult or it is irrelevant to IELTS.
Posted by: yrook | March 04, 2013 at 01:03
I had such a condition in real exam, I mean about reading.
The difficulties of sections weren't consecutive. the first passage was easy and I did in little time, the second was a bit more difficult. then I spent 25 mins for 2 passages and I felt myself very good, unfortunately I couldn't finish third passage in the left time.
Posted by: Olimjon | March 04, 2013 at 08:13
hi Simon,
(sorry the caps lock button does not work)
i want to thank you for this amazing website,it really helped me to jump from 6.5 to 7.5 in writing in a very short time. about remarking ,i want to share my experience here.in my first attempt i got s:8
r:8.5
l:7
w:6.5
my writing score did not change after i asked for remark.i had my test taken in uts,sydney.i am not sure if this is true for every one but i think changing venue can help if one is stuck .i got again 6.5 in writing a month later in same venue and 7.5 ,2 weeks later in a new venue.
another personal view that i want to share is that i could never manage to write task 1 in 20 minutes and knowing that,i was always stressed about timing.however,i finally realised that having a clear mind about how to approach task 2,can give me the chance to take up to 30 min for task1 and still manage to write a good task 2.so if someone is better in writing an essay and is obsessed with figures and numbers,like i was,maybe changing the timing strategy can help.also making topics with related ideas and vocabulary as you suggested ,was a great idea.i used two very impressive set of words about imprisonment from your lesson in my writing!so thanks again Simon and good luck all.oh also i was asked the same series of question during interview in my second and third attempts which i had already read about in another ielts blog.i can say both interview and writing topics are very likely to be repeated.
Posted by: Ana | March 04, 2013 at 23:06
Congratulations Ana, and thanks for sharing your advice!
Posted by: Simon | March 06, 2013 at 14:27
Dear Simon ,
I should say that the score given to writing is divided to 50 -50 for task 1 and 2.
Thanks for your very very useful information and workable strategies.
Posted by: Morteza | March 08, 2013 at 19:42
Hi ALL,
I'd like to share my experience in asking for remark. When I saw my scores came out, I felt that I should be scored higher than this mark for writing, then I filled a form and sent it to institute. But after more than one month because of coincidence with Christmas, I received nothing but missing my form test results. Now nothing changed and my Form TEST RESULTS missed and I have to pay extra to get that previous results.
I think asking for remark in wasting time and money. The only way to get higher score is siting for exam again and again till you get your desired score.
Posted by: Mahsa-Iran | March 09, 2013 at 06:33
Dear Mr. Simon,
Can you please tell me that this sentence is gramatically correct or not?
Although my mother had a hectic schedule of long working hours, it is quite possible to say that she looked after me properly when I was younger.
Posted by: ZIAUL HUDA | March 19, 2013 at 10:32
I gained 6.5 S in Dec 2011 and got 5 S in Oct 2012 after nearly one year studying in UK. I was succeeded to get half band more after almost 4 months waiting but till now I do not get my money back.
As someone said that it is better to retest rather than remark.
Posted by: QI | March 19, 2013 at 12:45