The four scoring criteria
Task Response / Task Achievement
Task 2: answer all parts of the question with a clear position and supported ideas. Task 1: summarise key features with a clear overview.
Coherence and Cohesion
Logical paragraphing, clear progression, and accurate linking — not mechanical connectors.
Lexical Resource
Range and precision of vocabulary, including collocations and less common items used accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Mix of simple and complex structures with mostly error-free sentences at Band 7+.
Task Response — Band 6 vs Band 7
Task Response / Task Achievement
Band 6 example
Technology is very important and I think it helps people a lot in many ways.
Band 7 example
While technology has streamlined daily tasks, its greatest benefit is widening access to education in remote areas.
Band 6 addresses the topic generally; Band 7 gives a specific, defensible position examiners can trace through the essay.
Next step after reading
Turn this example into feedback on your own essay
Band descriptors explain the rules, but they do not tell you which rule your essay is breaking. Paste your draft to see the weakest criterion before you rewrite.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6 vs Band 7
Coherence and Cohesion
Band 6 example
Firstly, … Secondly, … Moreover, … In conclusion, … (connectors without clear logical links)
Band 7 example
One major advantage is … This matters because … As a result, … (each link signals a real relationship)
Band 7 cohesion is logical, not decorative. Paragraphs each carry one main idea.
Lexical Resource — Band 6 vs Band 7
Lexical Resource
Band 6 example
good, bad, important, many people, a lot of
Band 7 example
beneficial, detrimental, significant, widespread, a substantial proportion of
Band 7 uses less common vocabulary accurately — not rare words used incorrectly.
Grammar — Band 6 vs Band 7
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Band 6 example
People use phones. They use phones every day. Phones are useful.
Band 7 example
Although smartphones are often criticised, they have become indispensable tools for coordinating work and study.
Band 7 combines subordinate clauses with mostly error-free execution.
Band 6 → Band 7 sentence upgrade
Before
Pollution is bad and governments should do something about it.
After rewrite
Since industrial emissions remain the primary driver of urban pollution, governments should tighten emission standards rather than rely on voluntary schemes.
One upgraded sentence demonstrates lexical precision + complex grammar + clear stance.
Checker diagnosis preview
Overall Band
6.5
- Weakest Criterion
- Lexical Resource
- Main Problem
- Repeated high-frequency words (good, bad, important) limit the LR score.
- Next Fix
- Replace three repeated adjectives with precise alternatives in your next draft.
Before
This is a good solution and very important for society.
After rewrite
This is an effective measure and socially significant because it targets the root cause.
See which criterion caps your score — free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the IELTS Writing band descriptors?▾
Four criteria — Task Response/Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy — each scored 0–9. Your writing band is the average, rounded.
What is the difference between Band 6 and Band 7 writing?▾
Band 7 requires a clear position (Task 2) or overview (Task 1), logical cohesion, less common vocabulary used accurately, and frequent error-free complex sentences.
How do I find my weakest IELTS criterion?▾
Paste your essay into the IELTS Writing Checker. The report ranks TR, CC, LR, and GRA and highlights the single criterion most limiting your band.