How Examiners Mark Your Essay

Understanding the Four Criteria

Your IELTS Writing score is calculated from four equal criteria, each worth 25% of your total band score. Understanding what each criterion actually measures — not what you think it measures — is essential for targeted improvement.

Task Response (Task 2) / Task Achievement (Task 1) — 25%

This criterion asks: Did you do what the question asked?

For Task 2: Did you address all parts of the question? Is your position clear and consistent? Did you develop your ideas sufficiently with explanations and examples? Did you write at least 250 words?

Common misconceptions: Many students think this criterion rewards more words or more ideas. It does not. It rewards relevance, clarity, and development of a limited number of well-chosen points.

Coherence and Cohesion — 25%

This criterion asks: Is your essay easy to follow?

Coherence is about logical organisation — do your ideas flow in a logical sequence? Does each paragraph have one clear main idea?

Cohesion is about how ideas are linked — are you using appropriate linking devices? Are your pronouns clearly referring back to previously mentioned nouns?

Common misconceptions: Cohesion is not just about using "Furthermore" and "However." Overusing linking words is penalised. Natural, organic flow scores higher than mechanical connector use.

Lexical Resource — 25%

This criterion asks: Do you have a wide range of vocabulary and do you use it accurately?

It rewards: variety of vocabulary, precise word choice, collocations (words that naturally go together), flexibility.

It penalises: repetition, incorrect word forms, spelling errors, overuse of simple vocabulary.

Common misconceptions: Using rare or obscure words does not impress examiners. Precise, accurate use of sophisticated but common academic vocabulary scores higher than random rare words used incorrectly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — 25%

This criterion asks: Do you use a variety of grammatical structures accurately?

Range means: using complex sentences, relative clauses, conditionals, passive voice, and a variety of tenses.

Accuracy means: consistent subject-verb agreement, correct article use, proper punctuation.

Common misconceptions: Perfect accuracy with only simple sentences scores around Band 6. Examiners want to see you attempt complex structures even if you occasionally make errors. Attempting range scores higher than playing it safe with simple sentences.

What a Band 7 Essay Looks Like

A Band 7 essay addresses the question clearly, has a logical structure, uses a good range of vocabulary with only occasional errors, and attempts complex grammar structures that are mostly accurate. It does not need to be perfect — it needs to be competent and controlled.

What Separates Band 7 from Band 8

At Band 8, vocabulary is used with precision and flexibility rather than just range. Ideas are developed with sophistication rather than just supported with examples. Grammar errors are rare and minor rather than occasional. The writing feels confident and fluent.