How IELTS scoring works
Your writing is scored on four criteria, each weighted 25%. Task 1 uses Task Achievement (TA) in the first criterion slot; Task 2 uses Task Response (TR). The other three criteria — Coherence and Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA) — apply to both tasks.
Each criterion gets a half-band score from 0 to 9. The final band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest 0.5.
Task Response (Task 2) / Task Achievement (Task 1)
25% of final band
Coherence and Cohesion
25% of final band
Lexical Resource
25% of final band
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
25% of final band
Task Response (Task 2) / Task Achievement (Task 1)
TR / TA · Bands 4 to 9
Fully addresses all parts with a fully developed position, well-extended and well-supported ideas.
Sufficiently addresses all parts, presents a well-developed response with relevant, extended and supported ideas.
Addresses all parts, presents a clear position throughout, presents, extends and supports main ideas but may over-generalise or lack focus.
Addresses all parts though some parts may be more fully covered, presents a relevant position, presents main ideas with some development.
Addresses the task only partially, format may be inappropriate, position is unclear, main ideas are not well developed.
Responds to the task only in a minimal way, presents a position but it is unclear, few ideas with little development.
Coherence and Cohesion
CC · Bands 4 to 9
Uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention, skilfully manages paragraphing.
Sequences information and ideas logically, manages all aspects of cohesion well, uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately.
Logically organises information, clear progression, uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately though with some under/over-use.
Arranges information coherently with clear overall progression, uses cohesive devices effectively though cohesion within/between sentences may be faulty.
Presents information with some organisation but may lack clear overall progression, makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices.
Presents information and ideas but they are not arranged coherently, uses basic cohesive devices, may be repetitive.
Lexical Resource
LR · Bands 4 to 9
Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; minor errors occur only as 'slips'.
Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings, skilfully uses uncommon lexical items with occasional inaccuracies.
Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, uses less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation.
Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempts to use less common vocabulary with mixed success, makes some errors in word choice and spelling.
Uses a limited range of vocabulary, may make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader.
Uses only basic vocabulary, may have repetitive errors in spelling and/or word formation, may have awkward paraphrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
GRA · Bands 4 to 9
Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as 'slips'.
Uses a wide range of structures, majority of sentences are error-free, makes only very occasional errors or inappropriacies.
Uses a variety of complex structures with good control of grammar and punctuation, may make a few errors but they rarely reduce communication.
Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, makes some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication.
Uses only a limited range of structures, attempts complex sentences but these tend to be less accurate than simple ones, may make frequent grammatical errors.
Uses only a very limited range of structures with only rare use of subordinate clauses, some structures are not accurate and may cause strain for the reader.
How to use this page to improve your score
1. Get a current band estimate. Paste your essay into the checker above. The report breaks down the four criteria, so you know which is your weakest.
2. Read the descriptor for your current band and the band one level higher. The differences between those two rows are the exact skills you need to develop. For example, if you are at 6.5 Coherence and want 7.0, compare the Band 6 and Band 7 rows for CC.
3. Fix the lowest criterion first. Almost every candidate's bottleneck is one criterion that is a half-band below the others. Fixing that brings the average up faster than spreading effort across all four.
4. Re-submit after every revision. The report is consistent across submissions, so you can track your criterion scores essay by essay and see the band move.
Common pitfalls at each band
Stuck at 5.5–6.0
Band 6Most often the issue is unclear position (TR) or mechanical paragraphing (CC).
Stuck at 6.5
Band 7Usually one criterion is at 6 while the others are at 7. Re-submit and find which.
Stuck at 7.0–7.5
Band 8Almost always LR or GRA — the essay is logically sound but lacks sophisticated vocabulary or variety in grammar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 IELTS Writing criteria?▾
Task 1 is scored on Task Achievement (TA) and Task 2 is scored on Task Response (TR), plus three criteria that apply to both: Coherence and Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA). Each criterion is weighted 25%, giving a final band that is the average of the four.
How does IELTS calculate the final writing band?▾
Each of the four criteria is scored on a 0–9 scale in 0.5 increments. The final band is the mean of the four scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5. For example, scores of 7, 7, 6.5, 6 average to 6.625, which rounds to 6.5.
What is the difference between Task Achievement and Task Response?▾
Task Achievement (Task 1) focuses on selecting and accurately reporting the key features of the visual data, including a clear overview. Task Response (Task 2) focuses on addressing all parts of the prompt, taking a clear position, and developing ideas with specific support. The two are scored on different rubrics but are the same 25% weight.
What does Band 7 require?▾
Band 7 across all four criteria requires: a clear position with consistent development (TR), logical organisation with clear progression (CC), a wide enough vocabulary with flexibility and some less common items (LR), and a variety of grammatical structures with good control and few errors (GRA). Below 7, examiners will look for at least one criterion that is a half-band lower than the others — that criterion is your highest-priority fix.
How can I use the band descriptors to improve my score?▾
Find the criterion where your score is lowest. Read the descriptors for that criterion at your current band and at the band one level higher. The differences between those two descriptors are exactly the things you need to work on. Then re-submit a new essay and watch that specific criterion's score.
See your band by criterion in 60 seconds
Paste your essay and the checker will tell you your weakest criterion and the single highest-impact change.
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