Understanding the IELTS Writing Marking Criteria: A Complete Guide
When it comes to succeeding in the IELTS Writing test, understanding the marking criteria is absolutely crucial. Many test-takers focus heavily on improving their vocabulary or polishing their grammar, but fail to grasp how examiners truly assess their responses. Whether you’re preparing for IELTS Academic or General Training, the writing test is scored using a strict set of criteria applied by certified IELTS examiners.
This guide will break down the five most important criteria used in IELTS Writing assessment:
Task Achievement (Task Response for Task 2)
Cohesion and Coherence
Punctuation
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Lexical Resource
By the end of this , you’ll have a clear understanding of what each criterion means, how it affects your score, and how you can meet and exceed examiner expectations.
1. Task Achievement (Task 1) and Task Response (Task 2)
Definition:
Task Achievement (for Task 1) and Task Response (for Task 2) refer to how well you address the question prompt and fulfill the task requirements. This includes presenting relevant information, explaining ideas, and answering all parts of the question.
Task Achievement in Writing Task 1:
For Academic IELTS, you must accurately describe visual data (charts, graphs, tables, etc.) without including irrelevant information or personal opinions.
For General Training, the focus is on writing a clear, purpose-driven letter with appropriate tone and content.
Key components:
Covers all parts of the task.
Presents a clear overview (Academic) or addresses all bullet points (General Training).
Uses data appropriately and supports general trends with specific details.
Task Response in Writing Task 2:
In Task 2, you write an essay in response to an opinion, problem, or argument.
Key components:
Fully addresses all parts of the task.
Presents a clear position throughout.
Extends and supports main ideas with explanations and examples.
Avoids irrelevant information or memorized templates.
Common pitfalls:
Misunderstanding the question.
Writing off-topic content.
Not providing sufficient explanation or examples.
Tips to improve:
Carefully analyze the question prompt.
Create a quick outline before writing.
Make sure every paragraph contributes to your main argument.
2. Cohesion and Coherence
Definition:
Cohesion refers to how well ideas are linked within and between sentences. Coherence is about the logical organization of ideas throughout your writing.
Examiners look at how logically your essay flows, and how easy it is for the reader to follow your ideas.
Key features:
Logical paragraphing.
Clear topic sentences.
Use of cohesive devices (e.g., linking words like “however,” “in contrast,” “as a result”).
A clear progression of ideas.
Example of poor cohesion:
Many people think education is important. Cars are useful. In my opinion, governments should fund education.
The ideas jump around with no logical connection.
Example of good cohesion:
Many people believe education is vital for national development. Similarly, public funding can support educational institutions to ensure equal access for all citizens.
Tips to improve cohesion and coherence:
Use a clear structure: introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Avoid overusing linking words—use them naturally.
Stick to one main idea per paragraph.
Ensure every paragraph connects to the overall argument or description.
3. Punctuation
Definition:
Punctuation includes all the marks you use in writing—commas, full stops, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, quotation marks, etc. It plays a vital role in organizing your text and conveying meaning clearly.
While punctuation is technically a subset of grammar, it’s so crucial that it deserves individual attention.
Common punctuation errors:
Comma splices: “People study hard, they want to pass IELTS.” (Wrong)
Missing full stops: Writing long, unending sentences without periods.
Incorrect apostrophe use: “Its a good idea” instead of “It’s a good idea.”
Overuse of commas or semicolons.
Correct use enhances clarity:
Although many believe that university education should be free, others argue that it would place too much strain on government budgets.
Tips to improve punctuation:
Read your writing aloud to notice natural pauses.
Study punctuation rules and practice correcting your own work.
Use grammar tools for feedback, but don’t rely solely on them.
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Definition:
This criterion assesses both the range of grammar structures you use and how accurately you use them. A higher score is awarded to candidates who demonstrate flexibility with grammar while minimizing errors.
Key components:
Use of a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, complex).
Accurate verb tenses.
Subject-verb agreement.
Correct use of articles, prepositions, and conjunctions.
Examples:
Limited range, low accuracy:
He go to school every day. He like study English.
Good range, high accuracy:
He goes to school every day and enjoys studying English, especially when the lessons are interactive.
Tips to improve grammar:
Review basic grammar rules regularly.
Practice transforming simple sentences into more complex forms.
Get feedback from teachers or advanced learners.
Avoid memorizing overly complex structures just to impress—focus on clarity and accuracy.
5. Lexical Resource
Definition:
Lexical Resource refers to your range of vocabulary and how well you use it in context. This criterion evaluates how accurately and appropriately you use words and expressions in your writing.
Key components:
Range of vocabulary.
Appropriate word choice.
Use of collocations (e.g., “make a decision,” not “do a decision”).
Avoidance of repetition and use of synonyms.
Spelling accuracy.
Example of limited vocabulary:
Many people think this is good. It is a good idea because it is good for people.
Improved version:
Many individuals believe this initiative is beneficial. It offers significant advantages, particularly in terms of public welfare.
Common vocabulary mistakes:
Overuse of general words: “good,” “bad,” “thing,” “stuff.”
Misused synonyms: Using “remarkable” when “notable” would be more appropriate.
Inappropriate formal/informal language (e.g., slang in academic writing).
Tips to improve vocabulary:
Read extensively—articles, essays, and formal reports.
Keep a vocabulary journal with examples.
Learn words in context, not in isolation.
Practice paraphrasing ideas in different ways.
Scoring Breakdown and Band Descriptors
Each of the above criteria is scored from Band 0 to Band 9, and they are equally weighted. That means each criterion contributes 25% to your total writing score.
Band 9 (Expert User):
Fully satisfies all task requirements.
Organizes information and ideas logically with perfect cohesion.
Rarely makes grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Demonstrates a wide and natural range of vocabulary.
Band 6 (Competent User):
Addresses the task but may have some issues with clarity or relevance.
Has a mix of cohesive and incohesive paragraphs.
Makes frequent grammar or punctuation mistakes.
Uses some range of vocabulary but with occasional inaccuracy.
Understanding this breakdown helps you self-assess and identify where you need to focus most of your efforts.
Final Thoughts: How to Use This Knowledge
Being aware of how examiners score your writing is half the battle won. The other half involves deliberate practice. Focus on each criterion during your writing sessions. You can even rate your own writing or peer-review others using these five key areas.
Here are a few actionable steps:
Choose one criterion per week to focus on.
Write a Task 1 and Task 2 essay weekly and get feedback.
Use sample Band 9 answers to study structure and language.
Don’t just write more—write better and smarter.
Remember: writing improvement is a gradual process. But with the right understanding and consistent effort, your IELTS Writing band score can rise significantly.
Looking for personalized feedback on your writing?
Check out our IELTS Writing Correction Service where certified examiners give you detailed scores and feedback based on the official IELTS marking criteria.
