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Band 5.5

The number of students who choose to study mathematics at university is low. Why do you think this is? What can be done about this situation?

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Introduction
In many countries, the proportion of
university
Use synonyms
students
Use synonyms
 choosing to study
mathematics
Use synonyms
 has fallen significantly.
This
Linking Words
 trend is worrying because
mathematics
Use synonyms
 underpins science, technology, engineering, and many areas of economics. In my view, the main causes are
students
Use synonyms
' negative perceptions of the subject and the perceived lack of practical relevance,
while
Linking Words
 effective solutions include curriculum reform and stronger
career
Use synonyms
 guidance.
Body paragraph 1
One key reason for low enrolment is that
mathematics
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 is often seen as difficult, abstract, and intimidating. From an early age, many
earners
Check wording
learners
show examples
 develop 'maths anxiety' after repeated experiences of failure or pressure in high-stakes exams.
As a result
Linking Words
, they
assocate
Correct your spelling
associate
mathematics
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 with stress rather than curiosity or achievement.
In addition
Linking Words
, the transition from school-level to
university
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-level
mathematics
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 can be particularly demanding, as it shifts from calculation-based tasks to proof-based, theoretical work.
Students
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 who enjoyed problem-solving at school may feel discouraged when they encounter
this
Linking Words
 more abstract style, leading them to avoid
mathematics
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 degrees altogether.
Body paragraph 2
Another important factor is the perception that
mathematics
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 has limited real-world
application
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applications
show examples
 and poor
career
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 prospects compared with other fields. Some
students
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 believe that only those with '
nature
Replace the word
natural
 talent' should study
mathematics
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, and that job opportunities are restricted to teaching or academic research.
This
Linking Words
 image is reinforced by popular culture, which rarely
protrays
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portrays
 mathematicians in diverse, appealing roles.
Moreover
Linking Words
, in competitive
university
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 entrance systems,
students
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 sometimes choose subjects that are perceived as easier ways to maximise their entrance scores, even if
this
Linking Words
 reduces their future options in STEM fields.
Body paragraph 3
To address
this
Linking Words
 situation, governments and universities should first reform
mathematics
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 curricula to make the subject more engaging and clearly connected to everyday life.
For example
Linking Words
, secondary and
pre-universtiy
Correct your spelling
pre-university
 courses could include more data analysis, coding, financial literacy, and mathematical modelling, so that
students
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 see how
mathematics
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 is used in business, health, and technology. At
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university
Correct article usage
the university
show examples
 level, introductory courses could emphasise applications across disciplines,
such
Linking Words
 as
mathematics
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 in art, social sciences, or environmental studies, to attract
students
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 with varied interests.
Body paragraph 4
In addition
Linking Words
, schools and universities need to provide better
career
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 guidance and positive role models.
Career
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 talks, mentoring programmes, and internships can show
students
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 the wide range of careers
avaliable
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available
 to
mathematics
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 graduates, from data science and finance to engineering and public policy. Scholarships and targeted outreach for underrepresented groups, including women and
students
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 from lower-income backgrounds, can
also
Linking Words
 challenge the myth that
mathematics
Use synonyms
 is only for the 'naturally-gifted'. By changing both the content and the image of
mathematics
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, insituations can make the
subket
Correct your spelling
subject
 more accessible and attractive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the lower number of
students
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 choosing to study
mathematics
Use synonyms
 at
university
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 stems largely from negative perceptions of difficulty and limited perceived relevance.
However
Linking Words
, through curriculum innovation, stronger links to real-world applications, and improved
career
Use synonyms
 guidance,
this
Linking Words
 trend can be reversed, ensuring a future workforce equipped with essential quantitative skills.

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task response
You answer both parts well: why fewer students choose maths, and what can be done. To make the answer even stronger, add one more clear real example, such as a school course or a job that uses maths.
task response
Your main ideas are clear and well explained. Be careful with a few claims, such as what films or TV show about maths jobs. Give a short example to make these points more solid.
coherence and cohesion
Your essay has a clear shape: an opening, two cause parts, two answer parts, and an ending. Each paragraph has one main point, which makes it easy to follow.
coherence and cohesion
Your linking words work well, such as “In addition”, “Moreover”, and “For example”. You could use fewer of them in some places, and make the link by repeating key words like “students”, “maths”, or “jobs” instead.
coherence and cohesion
Check spelling in key words, because errors can slow the reader down: “learners”, “associate”, “portrays”, “university”, “available”, “institutions”, and “subject”.
task response
You give two clear causes: fear of maths and the view that it has few useful jobs. You also give two clear answers: change courses and give better job help.
task response
The ideas are not just named; they are explained. For example, you show how school maths can feel very different from maths at university.
coherence and cohesion
The opening clearly states your view, and the ending brings the main points together in a direct way.
coherence and cohesion
Good examples, such as data work, coding, money skills, health, business, and public work, help connect your ideas to real life.
Word Count

IELTS says that you should write a minimum of 250 words in writing task 2. If you go under word count you will lose marks in task response.

A very long essay will not give you a higher band score.

Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

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