7 WritingTo move from Band 6 to 6.5 in IELTS Writing, there is no "6.5 sentence formula" to memorise. The official band descriptors list whole bands only. 6.5 sits between 6 and 7, which means that across the four marking criteria you already meet the Band 7 requirement in one or two of them, while the others are still at 6. So the most effective method is to check each criterion in turn, Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and find the one pulling your score down the most. Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1, so start checking with Task 2.
- Task ResponseEvery part of the question is answered and the position is developed
- Coherence and CohesionA clear argument, with linking words not packed in
- Lexical ResourceAccurate collocations and natural wording
- Grammatical Range and AccuracyAccuracy first, then complexity
Where Band 6 and Band 7 differ
The table below summarises the official marking criteria (it is not the original wording) and looks only at the difference between 6 and 7:
| Criterion | Typical Band 6 | Band 7 requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Answers the question but some parts are only touched on; the position is not clear enough or not consistent; ideas are not developed enough | Answers every part of the question; a clear position from start to finish; main ideas are developed and supported |
| Coherence and Cohesion | The structure is generally clear, but linking words are used mechanically or incorrectly | The argument builds up in layers; cohesive devices are varied and natural; each paragraph has one clear central idea |
| Lexical Resource | Adequate but the range is limited; there are errors that do not stop understanding | A flexible range of vocabulary, with some less common words; collocations are mostly accurate |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | A mix of simple and complex sentences; there are errors that mostly do not get in the way of understanding | A variety of complex structures; most sentences are error-free |
The four criteria carry equal weight. If you want to reach an overall 6.5 first, a common approach is to pick the criterion closest to 7, make it stable, and only then deal with your weakest one.
Task Response: count the parts of the question first
Task Response is the criterion that costs Band 6 essays the most marks, usually because the candidate starts writing before reading the whole question.
- Count the parts of the question: Discuss both views and give your own opinion has three parts (view A, view B and your position); What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved? has two. Missing any part usually keeps this criterion at 5 or 6.
- Watch the limiting word: if the question says Universities should only accept students with the highest marks, the key word is only. The essay must discuss whether "accepting only by marks" is reasonable, not "whether marks are important".
- Keep your position consistent: if the introduction supports more investment in buses, the conclusion cannot suddenly switch to abolishing all road projects.
To check whether an idea has been developed enough, ask "why?" and "and then what?" twice. For example, with the point Online learning saves students money, only the second of the three sentences below really develops it:
It is also very convenient.
Students no longer need to pay for accommodation in expensive university cities, which can cost more than tuition itself.
Many people agree with this.
The first sentence moves to a different point, and the third has no content. Writing three reasons of one sentence each is less effective than writing one reason in four sentences. For writing the introduction and position in more detail, see How to write the introduction of a Task 2 essay. For paragraph layouts by question type, see the pages on Opinion, Discussion and Advantages and Disadvantages.
Coherence and Cohesion: do not set a quota of linking words
Many people understand coherence as using lots of linking words, and the result is that they are marked as mechanical. Examiners look at whether the logical relation between sentences is clear. Before adding a linking word, decide whether the relation between the two sentences is contrast, cause and effect, addition, example or concession, and add one only when needed. If a paragraph has three or more sentences in a row that open with a linking word, cut some. Phrases like this trend and such policies that point back to the previous sentence are usually more natural than one more moreover. For the six kinds of mistake that cost marks and how to fix them, see More linking words are not better.
Vocabulary: collocation matters more than rare words
The vocabulary score looks at whether collocations are accurate and the wording is natural. A "good word" used wrongly loses more than a simple word used correctly. The most common mistake is translating directly from your first language into English:
| Unnatural wording | More natural wording |
|---|---|
| learn knowledge | gain / acquire knowledge |
| big damage | serious damage |
| high-speed development | rapid development |
| raise the living level | improve living standards |
| more and more serious | increasingly serious |
If you are not sure how a word is used, do not use it. For each topic, note 5 to 8 fixed collocations, for example academic performance and lifelong learning for education, and rely heavily on and digital literacy for technology.
Grammar: accuracy first, complexity later
Band 7 requires most sentences to be error-free, so a complex sentence written wrongly loses more than a simple sentence written correctly. Candidates lose most grammar marks in the seven groups below:
| Type of error | Wrong sentence | Corrected |
|---|---|---|
| Missing article | Government should invest in education. | The government should ... |
| Plural on an uncountable noun | These informations are useful. | This information is useful. |
| Subject and verb do not agree | The number of cars have increased. | The number of cars has increased. |
| Joining two full sentences with a comma | Prices are rising, people cannot afford homes. | Prices are rising, so people cannot afford homes. |
| A subordinate clause standing as its own sentence | Because it saves time. | Many people shop online because it saves time. |
| Using have in a there structure | There have many problems in big cities. | There are many problems in big cities. |
| Inconsistent tense | In the past, people walk to work. | In the past, people walked to work. |
After writing, scanning these seven groups quickly works far better than just noting "check grammar". You do not need to force variety; one complex sentence per paragraph is enough. The four safest structures are relative clauses, conditionals, the passive and participle phrases.
Do not forget the overview in Task 1
Task 1 is usually written in four paragraphs: a paraphrase of the question, an overview, and two body paragraphs, with at least 150 words (when practising, 150 to 190 words is reasonable). The overview uses two sentences to state the main trend or comparison in the chart, with no specific figures. Without a clear overview, Task Achievement usually struggles to go above 5. Always use the past tense for past data; when there is a lot of data, group it by trend or type, and do not read each figure from left to right.
Checklist before you hand in
- Has every part of the question been answered?
- Is your position consistent across the introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion?
- Does each body paragraph have a single central idea, with an explanation and a concrete example?
- Does the conclusion add a new idea?
- Does Task 2 have at least 250 words and Task 1 at least 150 words?
- Does Task 1 have a clear overview?
- Did you copy any sentence from the question?
- Have you scanned the seven grammar groups above?
How to arrange your next practice
Do not try to fix all four criteria at once. In each round, choose one specific problem, for example "the body paragraph has a reason but no example". In your next piece of writing, check that one problem on its own, and keep the sentences from before and after the fix. A score is only for finding problems: an AI-estimated score has an error margin (our own estimate is roughly 0.5 to 1 band), so seeing which sentence has which problem is more useful than looking at the overall score.
Our course content is compiled from materials by a Band 8 Writing teacher. The course is divided into small practice lessons, each training one skill, and AI feedback marks your writing afterwards. The first two chapters are free, so you can try the course now.
To try one of your own Task 2 essays, paste it into the free IELTS Writing checker: one free check, and 3 more free checks after you sign up. AI scores are for reference only.