It is extremely important to read the IELTS Band Descriptors that can tell you what examiners want to see in your answers. These are available at the IELTS website
(www.IELTS.org)

It is also equally important to pace yourself. Thus, Task1 should take almost 20 minutes while Task2 should take 40 minutes.

The process of writing both tasks (Task 1 & 2) consists of three mail stages: pre-writing, writing, and post-writing. You should pace yourself according to this.

In the pre-writing stage, you should:
1. Understanding the task
2. outline/plan the general framework of your essay
3. brainstorm/generate as many ideas as possible
4. Organize and classify the ideas generated in the previous stage

In the post-writing stage, remember the following:
. All your sentences have subjects and verbs.
. All your sentences start with a capital letter and finish in a full-stop.
. Long sentences should be avoided in order not to lose control of them. If they are long, divide/break them down into two.

. Your answer should be divided into paragraphs.
. Each paragraph is about one central idea, which is developed by things like quotations, examples, and details.
. Transition words should also be used for more cohesion.
. Do not use contractions. Write full forms.
. All your sentences should make sense. Simply imagine yourself as the reader.
. For the introduction & conclusion of Task1, make sure you write an overview/general sentence about the whole chart.

. For the introduction & conclusion of Task2, make sure you state your position/opinion about the topic.

. In order to make sure that you give the proper time to each task, start with Task2 rather than Task1.
. Use brackets for categories mentioned in charts and graphs.