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Scannable Document on 13 Mar 2017, 6_09_27 PM

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Learn how your IELTS writing task 2 is marked and the difference between band scores 5, 6, 7 and 8 with tips to improve your score. You need to understand the 4 marking criteria used by the examiner to fulfill the requirements of the score you want. There is a penalty for being under the word count: see link at bottom of page. Tips

Don't just read the band score you want. Read all the band score descriptions to learn how you lose marks and how you gain marks.

The examiner will assess your IELTS essay using the 4 criteria below. Each criterion is worth 25% of your total marks for task 2. You will be given a band score for each criteria and then a total score for task 2. See bottom of page for example of scoring.

Task Response

Coherence and Cohesion

Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

This task 2 marking criterion is about your answer to the IELTS essay question, your main ideas and how you develop them.

Your score will increase if you:

pay attention to ALL issues in the essay question

write about the issues rather than just the general topic

answer the essay question with relevant main points

plan your supporting points so they don't go off the topic

write over 250 words

The IELTS examiner will check the organisation of your essay, the paragraphs and your use of linking devices.

Your score will increase if you:

have either four or five paragraphs but not more and not less
this means you should have two or three body paragraphs only

have just one central topic in each body paragraph

organise your ideas logically

use a range of linking words

avoid errors in linking words

Your use of vocabulary, your paraphrasing, your spelling and the number of mistakes you make will be assessed in this criterion.

Your score will increase if you:

pay attention to collocations (which verb matches which noun)

paraphrase carefully to avoid errors

use a range of words appropriate for the topic

spell words correctly

avoid making errors (errors will lower your score - see table above)

avoid using informal language

The IELTS examiner will give you a band score for your sentence structures, the tenses you use, your control of grammar and also the number of mistakes you make.

Your score will increase if you:

use different grammar tenses (conditionals, perfect tenses, passive voice, past, future etc)

pay attention to word order in your sentences

use a range of sentence structures

use the correct punctuation (full stops and commas)

avoid errors in grammar (errors will lower your score - see the table above)
common grammar errors: articles, plural nouns, uncountable nouns, word order)

You will get a band score for each of the above criteria and then a total score for task 2. Here's an example:

Task Response: Band 6

Coherence & Cohesion = Band 7

Grammar: Band 6

Vocabulary: 6

Total Score for IELTS Writing Task 2: 6 + 7 + 6 + 6 = 25/4 = 6.25. This score will be increased to 6.5. To calculate your score, add all scores together and divide by 4.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Band Scores 5, 6, 7 & 8: Differences and Tips All IELTS Band Scores Explained Penalty for Under Word Count
Note: The information above is taken from the band score descriptors published by IELTS. To learn about band scores 1-9, please see the public band score descriptors for writing task 2 published by IELTS.

Recommended Pages for IELTS Writing Task 2

Main IELTS Pages
Develop your IELTS skills with tips, model answers, lessons, free videos and more.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Band Scores 5 to 8 with Tips

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Learn how your IELTS writing task 2 is marked and the difference between band scores 5, 6, 7 and 8 with tips to improve your score. You need to understand the 4 marking criteria used by the examiner to fulfill the requirements of the score you want.