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.

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

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)

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)

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

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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