IELTS Band Scores Explained
Understand what each band score means and how your overall score is calculated.
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How Writing is scored
Each essay is evaluated on 4 criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Vocabulary, and Grammar. Your final score is the average of all four criteria, rounded to the nearest 0.5.
9
Expert
Full flexibility, accuracy, and control
- check_circleFully addresses all parts of the task
- check_circlePresents a well-developed response with relevant, extended ideas
- check_circleUses cohesion in a way that attracts no attention
- check_circleSkilfully uses a wide range of vocabulary
- check_circleUses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
8
Very Good
Generally effective, with occasional lapses
- check_circleCovers all parts of the task (though may be uneven)
- check_circlePresents a well-developed response with relevant ideas
- check_circleManages cohesion effectively (may have minor lapses)
- check_circleUses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly
- check_circleUses a wide range of structures (may have occasional errors)
7
Good
Clear argument, occasional errors that don't impede communication
- check_circleCovers all parts of the task
- check_circlePresents a clear position throughout
- check_circlePresents relevant, extended ideas (some may be inadequately developed)
- check_circleUses cohesion effectively (may have some lapses)
- check_circleUses a sufficient range of vocabulary accurately
- check_circleUses some complex structures (some errors but communication clear)
6
Competent
Meets expectations, but with notable limitations
- check_circleAddresses all parts of the task (may be uneven)
- check_circlePresents a relevant position (conclusion may be unclear)
- check_circlePresents main ideas (some may be superficial)
- check_circleUses cohesion (not always logical, some repetition)
- check_circleUses adequate vocabulary for the task
- check_circleUses some accurate complex sentences (some errors
5
Modest
Partially achieves the task, with significant weaknesses
- check_circleAddresses the task only partially (may focus on one part)
- check_circleExpresses a position but development is limited
- check_circlePresents some main ideas but they are underdeveloped
- check_circleAttempts coherence but logic is unclear
- check_circleUses limited vocabulary (may have errors in word choice)
- check_circleUses only basic sentence forms (some errors cause confusion)
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