Word counts and penalties - Task 1 minimum 150 words

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will know the 150-word minimum requirement for IELTS Writing Task 1. You will recognise how word counts are calculated, understand what happens if your answer is too short, and be able to avoid common mistakes that lead to penalties. You will also be able to apply strategies to ensure your Task 1 meets the expected length for full IELTS marks.

IELTS Academic, General & UKVI Syllabus

For IELTS, you are required to demonstrate precise control over task length in Writing Task 1. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• State and apply the official 150-word minimum for Task 1 in Academic, General, and UKVI IELTS.
• Recognise how the examiner counts words and what is/is not included in the word count.
• Identify and explain the penalties for submitting fewer than 150 words in Task 1.
• Apply strategies to check and meet the minimum word count efficiently under exam conditions.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. What is the absolute minimum word count for IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic and General)?
2. If you write 142 words for Task 1, what happens to your score?
3. Name two types of writing that do NOT count towards the official IELTS Task 1 word count.
4. Does writing more than 150 words in Task 1 reduce your marks?

Introduction

IELTS Writing Task 1 has a clearly enforced minimum word count of 150 words. Any answer below this is subject to a penalty, which can significantly lower your mark. The word count rule applies to both Academic and General Training candidates and is strictly followed by examiners. Understanding how the examiner counts words, what happens if you fall short, and the best way to avoid a penalty is essential for a strong IELTS score.

Key Term: Word Count Requirement
The official minimum number of words (currently 150) that a candidate must write for IELTS Writing Task 1. Answers below this length automatically lose marks.

Key Term: Underlength Penalty
A mark deduction imposed when a Task 1 answer contains fewer than 150 words, often resulting in a lower band score for Task Achievement and possibly other criteria.

Word Count in Task 1: The Rules

The IELTS examiner counts every single word in your Task 1 answer. Answers must be at least 150 words to meet the requirement. There is no maximum limit, but writing much more than required is not recommended.

The word count includes:

• Each word in the main body of your answer
• Numbers, abbreviations, and hyphenated words (each count as one word)

The word count does NOT include:

• The question prompt (rubric) copied from the paper
• Titles, headings, or diagrams included in your answer
• Notes or rough plans

Key Term: Examiner Word Counting
The process by which IELTS examiners count each word in your written response, using standard conventions to ensure fair assessment.

What Happens If You Write Fewer Than 150 Words?

Writing less than 150 words in Task 1 leads to an immediate penalty. The examiner will stop reading at the 150th word (if you have more than one question) or mark the entire response as underlength (if clearly below 150 words). This usually results in:

• Reduced marks in the "Task Achievement" band
• Possible loss of marks for "Coherence and Connectivity," "Lexical Resource," or "Grammatical Range and Accuracy" if ideas or language are incomplete
• In extreme cases, a band 4 (Limited/Modest) for Task Achievement, even if the writing is accurate

It is never possible to ‘pass’ Task 1 if your answer is significantly under the word count.

Key Term: Task Achievement
An IELTS Writing assessment criterion focused on answering the question fully and appropriately, including meeting the required length.

Worked Example 1.1

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic):

The graph below shows the number of visitors to three different museums over a 5-year period. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features.

Candidate's answer (138 words):
[Text omitted for brevity]

Question: Will this answer be penalised, even if the English is strong?

Answer:
Yes. Since the answer is under 150 words, the examiner will mark it down for being incomplete. The highest band possible for Task Achievement will be low, and the overall band may be affected.

Worked Example 1.2

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General):

Write a letter to your manager about a work problem.

Candidate's answer (152 words):
[Text omitted for brevity]

Question: Will this answer receive a word count penalty?

Answer:
No. The answer is over 150 words. As long as all content is relevant, there is no penalty for writing slightly more than required.

Exam Warning

Writing 145 or 149 words is still penalised. Examiners do not estimate—every word is counted. Always check your word count.

Revision Tip

To estimate your word count efficiently, count the average number of words in one line of your writing, then multiply by the number of lines you write.

Strategies to Meet the 150-Word Minimum

• Plan your answer quickly before you start writing.
• Avoid very short introductions or conclusions—include at least one clear sentence for each.
• Use relevant details and comparisons rather than listing only basic facts.
• Leave time to check your answer at the end; if in doubt, quickly add an extra relevant sentence.
• Do NOT count the words in the question or any titles.
• Practice writing answers of about 160 words at home, so you reliably meet the minimum in the exam.

Summary

Always write at least 150 words in IELTS Writing Task 1. If your answer is too short, your mark will suffer. Plan carefully, develop your answer with relevant details, and check your word count before finishing. There is no upper word limit, but longer responses are not necessarily better, and may contain more mistakes.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• State the minimum 150-word requirement for IELTS Writing Task 1.
• Explain what is included and not included in the examiner’s word count.
• Describe the penalty for underlength answers in Task 1.
• Provide effective strategies to avoid a word count penalty.
• Emphasise that quality matters more than extreme length or copying the question.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Word Count Requirement
• Underlength Penalty
• Examiner Word Counting
• Task Achievement