Stuck at 6.5? You're close to Band 7 but can't seem to break through. Learn the specific differences and strategies to push your score to the next level.
73% of our users break through 6.5 within 4 weeks using targeted analysis
Band 6.5 is often called the "comfortable plateau." You can write well enough to communicate clearly, but there are subtle gaps preventing you from reaching Band 7.
💡 The good news: These gaps are fixable with targeted practice!
Band 7 isn't about being perfect—it's about demonstrating flexibility and range. Examiners look for evidence that you can use English in sophisticated ways.
🎯 Key shift: From "correct" to "flexible and natural"
First, you need to understand exactly where you're losing marks. Use this diagnostic guide.
Band 6.5
Band 7
🎯 Your Gap:
Ideas need more depth and specificity
Band 6.5
Band 7
🎯 Your Gap:
Linking words need variety and natural placement
Band 6.5
Band 7
🎯 Your Gap:
Vocabulary needs more range and natural collocations
Band 6.5
Band 7
🎯 Your Gap:
More complex structures with better accuracy
After analyzing 10,000+ essays, we found that 6.5 writers make the same mistakes repeatedly because they can't see their own blind spots. You need external expert feedback to identify what's actually costing you marks.
Our AI Analysis Reveals:
Task Response is often the biggest gap for Band 6.5 writers. Here's how to fix it.
Addressing questions superficially
"Discussing both views but not analyzing them deeply"
Fix: Spend more time on analysis, not just stating opinions
Using generic examples
"People say... or Some people think..."
Fix: Use specific, concrete examples from real contexts
Missing parts of multi-part questions
"Only answering 'to what extent' but not 'why'"
Fix: Highlight ALL parts of the question before planning
For each main idea:
Example:
"Economic growth (idea) leads to better infrastructure (why), which in turn creates jobs (example). For instance, China's rapid development (example) has lifted millions out of poverty (impact)."
Moving from Band 6.5 to 7 requires demonstrating vocabulary flexibility.
Band 6.5:
"The number went up by 10%."
Band 7:
"The figure experienced a significant surge of 10%."
Band 6.5:
"This is important because it helps the economy."
Band 7:
"This holds considerable economic significance."
Increase → surge, soar, escalate, climb
Decrease → plummet, plunge, slump, decline
Important → crucial, vital, significant, essential
Show → illustrate, depict, reveal, demonstrate
Band 7 grammar requires variety and complexity without sacrificing accuracy.
Subordinate Clauses:
"Although the population increased, birth rates declined."
Relative Clauses:
"The city, which experienced rapid growth, now faces infrastructure challenges."
Conditionals:
"If governments invest in renewable energy, pollution levels would decrease."
Too many simple sentences:
"The population increased. The economy grew. More jobs were created."
Combine with connectors:
"As the population increased, the economy grew, creating more job opportunities."
The key difference between Band 6.5 and 7 is natural flow and flexible cohesion use.
❌ Band 6.5 Pattern:
"First, the population increased. Secondly, the economy grew. Thirdly, more jobs were created. Finally, living standards improved."
Problem: Mechanical, repetitive use of sequence words
✅ Band 7 Pattern:
"The population surge consequently stimulated economic growth. Furthermore, this created employment opportunities, leading to improved living standards."
Natural flow with varied connectors
Structured practice to move from Band 6.5 to 7+.
In 5 minutes, you'll know exactly which 2-3 things are keeping you at 6.5 — and how to fix them.
No more guessing. No more practicing the wrong things. Just targeted improvement.
