Four criteria, equal weight

Each Writing task is marked on four criteria, and each criterion carries 25% of that task's score. Examiners give a band from 0 to 9 for each one.

• Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2) — did you answer every part of the question, develop and support your ideas, and (in Task 1) give a clear overview?
• Coherence and Cohesion — is the essay logically organised into paragraphs, does it progress clearly, and are linking words used accurately rather than mechanically?
• Lexical Resource — the range and precision of your vocabulary, natural collocations, and spelling.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy — a mix of simple and complex sentences, how many errors you make, and punctuation.

How your Writing band is calculated

Each task's score comes from its four criterion scores. Task 2 then counts twice as much as Task 1 when the two are combined into your overall Writing band, which is reported in half-band steps.

In practice this means a weak Task 2 is very hard to rescue with a strong Task 1. If time is short, finishing Task 2 properly matters more.

What usually separates band 6, 7 and 8

These are the patterns examiners and teachers most often point to — use them as a checklist when you review an essay.

• Band 6: answers the question but some ideas are underdeveloped; organisation is clear but linking can be mechanical; vocabulary is adequate with some errors; a mix of sentence forms with frequent but non-impeding mistakes.
• Band 7: a clear position throughout, with main ideas extended and supported; logical progression and a range of linking devices; less common vocabulary used with some awareness of style and collocation; frequent error-free sentences.
• Band 8: fully developed response; skilful paragraphing and cohesion that doesn't draw attention to itself; wide, precise vocabulary with only occasional slips; most sentences error-free.

Turning the criteria into practice

• Before writing, underline every part of the question — missing one part caps Task Response.
• Write a one-sentence overview for every Task 1; it's the most common reason Task 1 scores stall.
• Give each body paragraph one main idea, then explain and support it before moving on.
• After each practice essay, score it on all four criteria separately rather than guessing an overall number, and track how each criterion changes over time.

More guides

• IELTS Computer-Delivered Writing Test: Format, Screen and How to Practise