Academic Writing Band Descriptors and Marking Explained

The IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors provides a marking scheme for the task writing module, one of the most challenging aspects of the IELTS examination. According to research in 2014, task writing received the lowest band scores of all modules tested. Graph summaries and timed essay style writing are obvious obstacles that candidates face as high school curriculum's around the world fail to prepare students adequately in respects to academic writing. A lack of vocabulary comprehension is also a factor with candidates relying on a limited amount of words. A final factor that seems to be one of the easiest issues to combat is understanding exactly what IELTS examiners are looking for when marking the task response. Made public, the IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors not only provides a candidate with a detailed description of each band score, but it also provides a clear platform on how to score exceptionally well in writing.

IELTS Task Writing Public Band Descriptors from Raymond Ebertt

There are 4 main criteria that grade the task writing band score.  As well, task writing is broken into two marks with task one receiving 40% of the total band score. Understanding the task requirements should be fully understood before entering an examination. Candidates who come ill-prepared enviably struggle receiving a decent band score in task  writing.  This post will look at the four criteria used to score the task 1 and task 2 writing modules of the IELTS examination.  Understanding what the examiners are looking for will greatly increase your choice in achieving a desirable band score.

Task Achievement and Response

Both task 1 and task 2 writing questions require the candidate to satisfy the criteria noted on the band descriptors.  Apart from the first criteria seen on the descriptors, both task 1 and task 2 are basically scored the same way. The first criteria is the Task Achievement (task 1) and Task Response (task 2). Though labeled differently, they basically are scored the same way.

The following comparison shows the differences between task 1 and 2.

Task 1

Task 2

Both criteria are asking the candidate to completely answer the question. That being said, the candidate needs to be sure that all parts of the question (rubric) is answered fully in order to receive full credit for this criteria.  

The candidate needs to ensure that;

To achieve a top band score, this criteria and probably one of the most important ones for the writing module. Be sure to study the IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors in detail.

Coherence and Cohesion

In this criteria, the examiner is looking for how well information, paragraphs, and linking transitions are organised. Demonstrating strong writing skills will go a long way in this criteria. Candidates need to, particularly with task 2, show coherence and cohesion in the response. "Coherence" in an essay means the overall comprehension of what is written. "Cohesion" refers to the degree to which sentences are connected so that ideas are easy to follow.

The following comparison shows the differences between task 1 and 2.

Task 1

Task 2

Here the criteria looks at the development and comprehension of the response. Developing sound and structured paragraphs that include clear and supported sentences will benefit the overall band score.  

Candidates need to ensure that;

Candidates need to focus and develop strong paragraphs that contain a topic sentence, supporting idea, and examples with task 2 responses.  Task 1 responses need an introduction sentence, an effective overview, and support paragraphs. Practicing various styles of task 1 and 2 question rubrics will provide you with a broaden understanding of this criteria. Be sure to study the IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors in detail.

Lexical Resource

Lexical resource means using a range of vocabulary and examiners are looking for a good, effective range of uncommonly words words in your response. Not only is lexical resource a range of good vocabulary, it is vocabulary used correctly. The ability to use vocabulary effectively in sentences takes time and practice. Developing a wide range of vocabulary is equally important and needed for higher band scores.

The following shows how lexical resources is marked.

Task 1 and Task 2

As you can see, to obtain a higher band score, the candidate needs to focus on the use of his or her vocabulary and the way that the word is being used within the sentence. Having an arsenal of good, effective vocabulary is fruitless without knowing how to use them correctly. Understanding the use of vocabulary and how to incorporate them into the response will go a long way. 

Candidates need to ensure that;

As you can see, you can only make occasional errors in your word choice, word formation and spelling. This means the majority need to be correct. Using lots of new words that you don't know how to use properly can damage your band score tremendously, so be careful. Only use words you know how to use properly. Be sure to study the IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors in detail.

Grammar Range and Accuracy

Examiners will be looking at the grammar structure of the sentences in the response as well as how correctly they are written. Examiners are also looking at the range or frequency of the vocabulary that is being used. Are the words just simple vocabulary or is there an attempt to use more sophisticated, technical words?

When examiners are checking for the accuracy of grammar, they are looking for error free sentences. To obtain band scores of 7 or greater, sentences in the response need to be consistently free of errors. This doesn't mean that one or two mistakes can be made, it's the regularity of them that will lower the band score.

Range of vocabulary is just as important as accuracy and both go hand-in-hand with task writing. A good range of vocabulary is crucial for developing strong or coherent sentences and needed for the development of complex structures. It’s important to note that grammar is just note about tenses, but also about how the sentence is organised.

The following shows how grammar range and accuracy is marked.

Task 1 and Task 2

A good answer will have a range of appropriate structures and tenses. Many students try to insert complex sentences and tenses in to their answers to make look more complete. This is a bad practice and will often result in answers looking unnatural and riddled with mistakes. If you write a good answer, complex sentences, such as conditional and relative clauses will flow naturally. 

Candidates need to ensure that;

Understanding the foundation of good sentence construction is vital in achieving a higher band score in this criteria. With practice, experimenting using various tenses and word order, more complex sentence structures will come naturally. Be sure to study the IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors in detail.

How the Task is Scored

As mentioned previously, task 1 and task 2 are not scored the same. However, both tests are given a band score which is in turn calculated into the total writing band score. The following band score table, courtesy of Chris Green, provides an idea on how both Task 1 and Task 2 band scores are combined to give an overall band score.

As you can see, if a candidate excelled in Task 1 and achieved a Band 7.5 but could only manage to achieve a Band 6 with Task 2, the two band scores will average giving an overall band of 6.5.  The above table is only an estimate of how IELTS Academic Writing Band Descriptors work but from the comments of Chris Green, it is quite accurate.

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