How many words should I have typed by minute twenty?
150 words for Task 1 at minute 20 is the working checkpoint, and a short Task 1 is cheaper than a missing Task 2, because Task 2 carries twice the weight.
At least 150 words for Task 1, which is the published minimum for that task, and the point at which you should be leaving Task 1 rather than polishing it. Task 2 is worth twice as much, so minutes spent improving Task 1 after minute 20 are minutes taken from the larger share of the mark.
If minute 20 arrives with fewer than 150 words in the box, move to Task 2 anyway and keep the structure of Task 1 that you already have. In a rehearsal, note the shortfall on the same line as the Task 2 word count at minute 55, so the two numbers are read together rather than as separate regrets.
Computer-Based IELTS Writing Practice: Typing, Word Count and a 60-Minute Rehearsal →