Key Insight
Understanding the Band Descriptors is not the same as using them accurately.
Most students read the public band descriptors and think they know what to improve. But to actually move from Band 6 to Band 7, you must think like an examiner — and recognize that some criteria weigh more emotionally than others.
Teaching Point 1: The 4 Band Descriptors
IELTS examiners score your Task 2 essay based on:
- Task Response (TR)
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
- Lexical Resource (LR)
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)
Each criterion is scored from 0 to 9. Your final writing band is the average of these four scores, rounded down to the nearest 0.5.
Teaching Point 2: Not All Criteria Are Equal
Technically, the four descriptors are weighted equally.
But emotionally, Task Response often carries more weight, especially when deciding between a 6.5 and a 7.0.
Why?
- It shows if you actually understood the question
- It reveals whether your ideas are genuine or memorized
- If your Task Response is weak, everything else feels shaky
Bottom line: Even with great grammar and vocabulary, vague or undeveloped ideas will block you from Band 7.
Teaching Point 3: Most Students Misjudge Their Band
Most students overestimate their score by 0.5 to 1 full band.
Common patterns:
- Band 6 writers think they’re 6.5
- Band 5.5 writers think they’re 6
- Few students can accurately self-assess Task Response
Why this matters: If you can’t diagnose the real issue, you can’t fix it.
Tool: Band Descriptors in Plain English
| Band Descriptor | What It Really Means |
|---|---|
| Task Response | Do you fully answer every part of the question? Are your ideas real, relevant, and well developed? |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Do your ideas connect logically and flow smoothly? |
| Lexical Resource | Do you use the right words for the topic, with natural control and flexibility? |
| Grammar Range & Accuracy | Do you use a mix of sentence types with minimal errors? |
Exercise 1: Score These Two Essays
Read both student essays below. Score each one on all four criteria. Then compare your scores to the official comments.
Essay A (Band 6.0):
- Ideas are vague or repeated
- Some grammar variety, but frequent errors
- Linking devices are overused and robotic
- Vocabulary is either too simple or awkwardly forced
Essay B (Band 7.0):
- Clear stance with well-developed arguments
- Paragraphs each build one strong point
- Grammar is mostly accurate and controlled
- Vocabulary is flexible and appropriate
Exercise 2: Reflect and Apply
- Which criterion is currently your strongest?
- Which is holding you back?
- Choose a paragraph from your last essay and annotate each error, linking it to one of the four descriptors.
Final Message
You don’t just write an essay — you perform it.
Each sentence tells the examiner where you belong.
Start using the band descriptors as a lens — not just a checklist — and you’ll stop guessing and start improving with clarity.
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