IELTS Writing Checking: How to Proofread in 2 Minutes

Quick Answer: Proofreading your IELTS Writing in 2 minutes is possible if you follow a focused checklist. First, scan for subject-verb agreement, article mistakes, and verb tenses (30 seconds). Next, check punctuation, especially commas and full stops (30 seconds). Finally, confirm you have a clear position and linked ideas (60 seconds). Practice this routine daily to build speed and accuracy.

Table of Contents

Why Proofreading Matters in IELTS Writing

The 2-Minute Proofreading Method (Step by Step)

Band Score Comparison Table

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

Common Mistakes

Top Tips

Resources

FAQ

Key Takeaways

Why Proofreading Matters in IELTS Writing

In the IELTS Writing test, many test-takers lose marks because of simple, avoidable errors. Even if your ideas are strong, grammatical mistakes, missing punctuation, or unclear transitions can pull your score down. The official IELTS criteria for Task 2 include: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. The last two are heavily affected by poor proofreading.

But you only have 40 minutes for Task 2 (and 20 for Task 1). How can you find time to check your work? The answer is a structured, lightning-fast proofreading routine. With practice, you can review your essay in under two minutes without missing critical errors. This post gives you that exact system.

The 2-Minute Proofreading Method (Step by Step)

Here is the exact sequence. Do not skip steps. Time yourself with a stopwatch until it becomes automatic.

First 30 Seconds: Grammar Spot Check

Look for the three most common IELTS grammar mistakes:

Subject-verb agreement: Does the verb match the number of the subject? (e.g., “The number of people is” not “are”)

Verb tenses: Are you consistent? If you start an example in present simple, don’t switch to present perfect unless needed.

Articles (a/an/the): Circle every noun and check if it needs an article. Many students forget “the” before a specific mention.

Spend 10 seconds per type. If you find an error, correct it immediately.

Next 30 Seconds: Punctuation & Spelling

Full stops and capitals: Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph. Is there a capital letter at the beginning? A full stop at the end? Run-on sentences are common.

Commas: Look for missing commas after linking words (e.g., “However,” “Moreover,” “In addition,”).

Familiar spelling mistakes: Double-check words like “government,” “environment,” “opportunity.” If you aren’t sure, change to a synonym you know.

Final 60 Seconds: Coherence & Task Response

Does your introduction contain a clear thesis? Read your first sentence. Does it directly answer the question? If not, rewrite it quickly.

One linking word per sentence? Scan for words like “firstly,” “for example,” “consequently,” “on the other hand.” If a sentence has no connector, add one (but only if it makes sense).

Are both sides presented? For “agree/disagree” or “discuss both views” prompts, confirm you have at least one body paragraph for each side. If you missed a side, add a short sentence.

Is your conclusion a summary? Avoid new ideas. Read the last paragraph. Does it restate your position? If not, adjust.

That's it. Total: 2 minutes. If you have extra seconds, check the essay overall – does it flow? If not, you can delete a sentence or two (only if you have time).

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants
6	Some errors that do not reduce understanding. Basic punctuation used correctly most of the time. Occasional misuse of articles or prepositions.
7	Few minor errors. Good control of grammar and punctuation. Some variety in sentence structures. Errors rarely cause confusion.
8	The majority of sentences are error-free. Occasional slips with complex structures. Punctuation is accurate. Wide range of vocabulary used appropriately.
9	Virtually no errors. Perfect control of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. All sentences are natural and varied.

Note: A Band 7 essay can still have 3–4 small errors per page. The key is that they do not cause any confusion. Use your 2-minute check to eliminate those 3–4 errors and you could move from Band 7 to Band 8.

Sample Answers

Below are three endings of an IELTS Task 2 essay on the topic: “Some people think that governments should provide free housing for the homeless. To what extent do you agree or disagree?” (Band 7, 8, 9 versions after proofreading).

Band 7 (After 2-minute check)

“…… In conclusion, I partly agree with this idea. Giving free housing can help homeless people be safe, but it is not enough. Government should also provide job training and support. This combination is more effective in the long term.” Changes made during proofread: Added “the” before “long term”. Changed “Government should” to “Governments should” (subject-verb agreement). Inserted “more” before “effective”.

Band 8 (After 2-minute check)

“…… To conclude, while I agree that free accommodation is necessary for the homeless, I believe it should be coupled with additional services. Employment assistance and mental health support are equally vital. Only then can we ensure a sustainable solution.” Changes made: Added a comma after “To conclude”. Changed “are equally vital” to “are equally vital” (no change, but checked for article use). Verified that “a sustainable solution” has the correct article.

Band 9 (After 2-minute check)

“…… Ultimately, I contend that free housing alone is insufficient to solve homelessness. However, when integrated with comprehensive social programmes – such as job training, counselling, and healthcare – it becomes a powerful tool. Therefore, governments should adopt a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate shelter and long-term reintegration.” Changes made: Checked colon after “programmes” – kept because it’s a stylistic choice. Verified “multifaceted” spelling. Added “both … and …” parallelism. No errors found.

Common Mistakes

❌Forgetting to change verb tense for hypotheticals – Many students write “If governments would provide” instead of “If governments provided”. In 30 seconds, scan for “if” or “wish” and check the verb form.

❌Leaving out the concluding connector – A missing “In conclusion” or “To summarise” can make your essay feel incomplete. During the final minute, always check the start of the last paragraph.

❌Using a colon incorrectly – For example, “There are many reasons: for example pollution and traffic.” The colon should be followed by an independent clause or a list, not a phrase. In 2 minutes, quickly look at any colons you used and see if they fit the rule.

Top Tips

💡 Use a highlighter pen (on paper) or underline the first and last sentences of each paragraph during the test. This forces your eyes to those critical areas first.

💡 Read your essay aloud in your head – you will hear missing words or unnatural phrasing. This takes only 30 seconds per paragraph, so do it only for the first and last paragraphs during the final check.

💡 Practice with a timer. Use a stopwatch app and do a 2-minute check on your practice essays daily. After one week, you’ll know your routine by heart.

Resources

For more practice, download sample essays and a proofreading checklist from IELTS Active. You can also find timed mock tests that help you build the 2-minute habit.

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials.

FAQ

Q: Can I really proofread all parts of the essay in 2 minutes? A: Yes, because you are not reading the whole essay word by word. You are only checking high-risk areas. The key is to practise this routine until it becomes automatic. Q: Should I proofread Task 1 and Task 2 the same way? A: For Task 1 (descriptive), spend more time on grammar and data-specific vocabulary (e.g., “fluctuated”, “peaked”). For Task 2 (essay), focus more on coherence and thesis. The time remains 2 minutes each. Q: What if I can’t finish checking in 2 minutes? A: You likely have too many errors. Reduce your writing speed and use simpler sentences. A clean, accurate Band 7 essay is better than a messy Band 6 with complex ideas. Q: Is it okay to add a new sentence during proofreading? A: Only if it is essential to answer the question, and only if you have a little time left. Avoid adding new ideas. Instead, delete or rephrase a sentence that is unclear.

Key Takeaways

✅Proofreading is a skill that can be learned in a structured 2-minute routine.

✅Focus on the three biggest mistake areas: grammar, punctuation, and coherence.

✅Use the final 60 seconds to verify your essay answers the prompt completely.

✅Practise every day with a timer to turn this habit into second nature.

Related Posts:

IELTS Writing Task 2: Structure and Time Management

How to Avoid Common Grammar Errors in IELTS Writing

Top 10 Linking Words for Band 7+ Essays