📊 IELTS Writing Task 1 Scoring Criteria

Task 1 is scored based on four key criteria, each of which is given a band score from 0 to 9. The four criteria are:

1. Task Achievement (TA)
2. Coherence and Cohesion (CC)
3. Lexical Resource (LR)
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)

Each of these criteria contributes equally to your final band score, so it’s crucial to focus on all aspects while writing.

1️⃣ Task Achievement (TA)

This criterion assesses how well you address the requirements of the task. Specifically, it looks at:

• Understanding the question: Have you fully understood what the task asks you to do? Are you addressing all parts of the question (the three bullet points)?
• Completeness: Have you included all necessary information? For example, if you are writing a letter or academic task 1, have you responded to all points (e.g., providing details, requesting action)?
• Relevance: Are your ideas relevant to the task? Are you staying on topic?

How to score well:

• Ensure you cover all points in the prompt.
• Be specific with your responses—avoid vague statements.
• Stick to the word limit of 150–180 words.

Band Descriptors for TA:

• Band 9: Fully satisfies all requirements, includes fully extended responses.
• Band 7-8: Addresses all points with sufficient detail, but may miss a minor detail or explanation.
• Band 5-6: Addresses the task but with limited detail or some irrelevant information.

2️⃣ Coherence and Cohesion (CC)

This criterion measures how well-organized and logically structured your writing is. It assesses the clarity of your ideas, and how well they flow from one point to the next. Specifically, examiners look for:

• Logical structure: Is your letter or report organized into clear paragraphs with a proper introduction, body, and conclusion?
• Linking devices: Do you use appropriate linking words to connect your ideas and paragraphs (e.g., “in addition,” “however,” “for example”)?
• Paragraphing: Are your ideas grouped together logically in paragraphs?

How to score well:

• Break your writing into clear paragraphs—an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Use a range of linking words and conjunctions to create a smooth flow.
• Organize your ideas in a logical sequence so the reader can follow easily.

Band Descriptors for CC:

• Band 9: Fully coherent and cohesive; ideas are linked naturally.
• Band 7-8: Ideas are generally well-organized with some minor lapses.
• Band 5-6: The writing may lack clear structure or may be difficult to follow in places.

3️⃣ Lexical Resource (LR)

This criterion assesses your range of vocabulary and how accurately you use words in your writing. It looks at:

• Vocabulary range: Are you using a variety of words? Are you avoiding repetition by using synonyms?
• Accuracy: Are your word choices correct and appropriate to the context (e.g., formal or informal language as required)?
• Collocations: Are you using natural word combinations (e.g., “make a request,” not “do a request”)?

How to score well:

• Use a range of vocabulary suitable for the task (formal for letter, descriptive for data, etc.).
• Avoid repeating the same words—use synonyms where appropriate.
• Pay attention to collocations and natural word combinations.

Band Descriptors for LR:

• Band 9: Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precision.
• Band 7-8: Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with occasional errors.
• Band 5-6: Limited range of vocabulary with frequent repetition.

4️⃣ Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)

This criterion evaluates your use of grammar—both the range and the accuracy of your sentence structures. Specifically, it assesses:

• Variety of sentence structures: Do you use a mix of simple and complex sentences?
• Accuracy: Are there errors in grammar, such as incorrect verb tense or incorrect punctuation?
• Consistency: Are your grammatical errors consistent or occasional?

How to score well:

• Use different sentence types, including simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• Double-check for grammatical accuracy, such as subject-verb agreement, tenses, and punctuation.
• Avoid repetition of sentence structures.

Band Descriptors for GRA:

• Band 9: Uses a wide range of grammatical structures with no or very few errors.
• Band 7-8: Some errors are present but do not significantly affect clarity.
• Band 5-6: Frequent grammatical errors that make the writing difficult to follow at times.

🏅 Final Band Score

Your Task 1 band score is determined by averaging the scores of the four criteria. For example:

• If you score Band 8 for Task Achievement, Band 7 for Coherence and Cohesion, Band 7 for Lexical Resource, and Band 6 for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, your final score for Task 1 will be:
  • (8 + 7 + 7 + 6) / 4 = 7.5

🎯 How Can You Improve Your Task 1 Score?

• Practice writing different letter types (formal, informal, semi-formal).
• Analyze model answers and compare them to your own writing.
• Focus on clear structure and paragraphing.
• Expand your vocabulary for both everyday and formal writing.
• Check for common grammatical errors and avoid them in your writing.

By focusing on these four areas and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to achieving an 8+ band score on IELTS Writing Task 1!