Since IELTS examination is a paper based examination, a lot test – takers are worried about getting poor scores in the writing sections of the IELTS. This fear also will spill over even into the listening and reading sections of the IELTS test since the answers in this section are also written. Some people even undertake special training for improving their handwriting. In this article I am trying to examine the role of handwriting in the IELTS exam.

The four major parameters set four scoring in IELTS

1. Completeness of the response

This is about analyzing whether the IELTS test-taker is responding to all parts of the question or addressing it partially. In order to get a decent score the test-taker should address all parts of the question

2. Cohesion.

This is about the structural integrity and connectivity between ideas. The IELTS essay should have a clear and understandable structure and ideas discussed the essay should be connected in a seamless manner.

3. Lexical resources

This deals with vocabulary used in the IELTS essay. Command over a range of vocabulary will almost always result in a better score. However, using bombastic vocabulary for the sake of vocabulary is not really appreciated. So use complex vocabulary only if they are warranted by context and only if you are sure about their usage

4. Grammatical resources

The sentences and expressions used the IELTS essay should follow the rules of grammar. Grammatically incorrect expressions do severe damage to your essay and it can negatively impact your IELTS essay score.

So it is clear that handwriting is not a parameter for scoring in the IELTS examination. So in order to crack the IELTS, you don’t have to attended calligraphy sessions! However good hand writing is always handy because if the answers are unintelligible, then you will not get any credit for those answers. So your handwriting should at least understandable if not so aesthetically pleasing