IELTS Band Score Checker
IELTS band score checker — find out exactly where you stand
Get a band score for each of the 4 official IELTS criteria plus your overall band — with a clear explanation of what is holding each one back from your target. Know your number in under 60 seconds.
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How scoring works
How your overall band is calculated
IELTS Writing is scored on four criteria, each worth exactly 25% of your total. The overall band is the mean of all four, rounded to the nearest 0.5. A single weak criterion pulls down the whole score — which is why checking all four matters.
Addresses the task, position clarity, argument development
Paragraph structure, logical sequencing, linking words
Vocabulary range, accuracy, collocation, register
Sentence variety, grammatical accuracy, punctuation
Example calculation
TA 6 + CC 7 + LR 6 + GRA 7 = 26 total ÷ 4 = mean 6.5. Reported as Band 6.5. If the mean were 6.25, it rounds up to 6.5. Scores are always reported in 0.5-band increments.
Band descriptors
What each IELTS writing band level means
These are the official IELTS band descriptors for Writing, summarised. The AI assesses your essay against all four criteria at every level.
Fully addresses all parts of the task. Information and ideas well organised. Wide range of vocabulary used with full flexibility. Full range of structures used with full flexibility and accuracy.
Covers all requirements sufficiently. Sequences information logically. Vocabulary used flexibly. Wide range of structures with only occasional errors.
Addresses all parts with sufficient detail. Information clearly presented and highlighted. Sufficient vocabulary to discuss topics at length. Variety of complex structures with good grammar control and only occasional errors.
Addresses task but some parts more fully covered than others. Generally coherent with some effective linking. Adequate vocabulary with some inappropriate choices. Mix of simple and complex sentences; some errors but communication rarely impeded.
Only partially addresses the task. Ideas may be limited or underdeveloped. Limited range of vocabulary; errors in word choice. Limited range of sentences; frequent grammatical errors.
Band 1–4 descriptors exist but are rare in exam conditions. Band 9 is achieved by fewer than 1% of test-takers in the Writing module.
Band 6 to 7
What is holding you back from Band 7
The jump from Band 6 to 7 is the most sought-after improvement in IELTS Writing. Here are the four most common blockers — all of which the checker identifies and explains.
Task Achievement below 7
The most common Band 7 blocker. Position is present but not fully developed. Arguments are stated but lack specific examples. In discussion essays, one view is stronger than the other.
Coherence plateau at 6
Over-reliance on a small set of linking phrases ('Furthermore', 'In addition', 'In conclusion'). Topic sentences present but body paragraphs drift to secondary ideas. Paragraphing mostly clear but not consistently skilful.
Lexical Resource stuck at 6
Vocabulary is adequate but not flexible. The same 10–15 words appear repeatedly. Collocation errors ('make a research' instead of 'conduct research'). Limited use of less common vocabulary that Band 7 requires.
GRA errors in complex structures
Simple sentences are accurate, but complex sentence attempts introduce errors in relative clauses, conditionals, or passive voice. Examiners reward attempted range — but frequent errors in complex structures keep GRA at 6.
What you get
Everything in a free band score check
Criterion scores + overall band
TA, CC, LR, and GRA each scored individually on a 0–9 scale, plus your calculated overall band in 0.5-band increments.
#1 priority fix to raise your band
The single change that will move your overall band score up the most — identified by analysing all four criteria for the biggest gap.
Criterion-level feedback
A qualitative explanation for each criterion score — what you did well and exactly what would need to change to reach the next band level.
All errors corrected
Every grammar, vocabulary, and coherence error flagged in your text with corrections so you know what to change.
Results in under 60 seconds
Generated in real time — no waiting. Check your essay and know your band immediately.
FAQ
Common questions about band scores
How accurate is AI band score checking vs a human examiner?
For essays in the Band 5–7 range, AI band score estimates are typically within ±0.5 of what a human examiner would give, based on our internal consistency testing. The AI applies the same official IELTS Writing Band Descriptors that human examiners use. At Band 8–9, subtle stylistic differences are harder to evaluate consistently — treat high-band AI scores as estimates. For official results, only sit the exam with IDP, British Council, or Cambridge Assessment English.
Can I score Band 7 in one criterion and Band 5 in another?
Yes. Each criterion is scored independently. It is entirely possible to have GRA 7 and TA 5 — for example, grammatically clean writing that only partially addresses the question. Your overall band is the mean of all four criteria rounded to the nearest 0.5. So TA 5 + CC 6 + LR 6 + GRA 7 = mean 6.0, rounded to Band 6. A single weak criterion significantly drags down the overall, which is why all four need attention.
What is the most common IELTS Writing band score?
Based on IELTS data, the most common band score for Writing is Band 6.0–6.5. This is also the most common target band for university entry and skilled migration. Band 7 is required by many top-ranked universities (particularly in English-speaking countries) and certain professional visa streams, which is why the jump from Band 6 to 7 is so important and so heavily studied.
What is the fastest way to move from Band 6.5 to Band 7?
The fastest path from 6.5 to 7 is almost always Task Achievement — specifically, ensuring your position or argument is fully developed with specific, relevant examples in every body paragraph. Most Band 6.5 essays have adequate grammar and vocabulary but vague or underdeveloped arguments. The #1 priority tip in your feedback report identifies the specific issue holding your essay back — for the majority of Band 6.5 students, it is a task or coherence issue, not a grammar one.
How is the overall IELTS Writing band calculated?
Your Writing band is the arithmetic mean of your four criterion scores (Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy), rounded to the nearest 0.5. For example: TA 6 + CC 7 + LR 6 + GRA 7 = 26 ÷ 4 = 6.5. If the mean falls exactly between two 0.5 bands (e.g. 6.25), it rounds up to 6.5. Note that IELTS Writing is reported as a half-band score — you receive 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, etc., never 6.3.
Does writing more words improve my band score?
Not directly. Word count requirements are a floor, not a ceiling. Task 2 requires a minimum of 250 words — writing below 250 incurs a penalty. But writing 500 words does not earn a higher score than 300 words. In fact, padding an essay with irrelevant content can lower Task Achievement if it dilutes your argument. Aim for 260–300 words for Task 2 and 160–190 words for Task 1 — enough to cover requirements fully without unnecessary filler.
Can I improve my band score by rewriting the same essay multiple times?
Targeted rewriting is one of the most effective practice methods — but only if you understand what to change. Rewriting without feedback just reinforces the same mistakes. The most effective approach is: (1) check your essay and identify your specific errors, (2) rewrite the essay focusing on fixing those specific issues, (3) check again to see if the score improved. Tracking your band score across multiple essays over time shows which criteria are improving and which remain stuck.
Find out your IELTS band score now
Free to try — no account needed. Band score across all 4 criteria with your #1 priority fix in under 60 seconds.
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