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How to Score 7 in IELTS Writing

To score 7 in IELTS Writing, answer every part of the question with a clear position, give each paragraph one main idea that you explain and support, use some less common words accurately, and write many sentences with no errors. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1, so most of your gains come from the essay.

Last updated: 2 October 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

Time

60 minutes for both tasks

Word counts

Task 1: at least 150 words. Task 2: at least 250 words

Weighting

Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1

Criteria

Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy

What do examiners expect at Band 7?

Each criterion carries equal weight. In plain English, this is what Band 7 looks like:

• Task Response (Task 2): you address all parts of the question, present a clear position throughout, and extend and support your main ideas. A common Band 7 weakness is over-generalising.
• Coherence and Cohesion: ideas are logically organised with clear progression. Each paragraph has a clear central topic. You use a range of linking devices, perhaps with some over- or under-use.
• Lexical Resource: you use enough vocabulary to be flexible and precise, including some less common words with awareness of style and collocation. There are occasional errors in word choice or spelling.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: you use a variety of complex structures, many sentences are error-free, and you have good control of grammar and punctuation.

For the official wording, see the public band descriptors on ielts.org.

A simple Band 7 essay structure

1. Introduction (2–3 sentences): paraphrase the question and state your position clearly.
2. Body paragraph 1: one main idea, explained, with a specific example.
3. Body paragraph 2: a second main idea, or the other side if the question asks for both views.
4. Conclusion (1–2 sentences): restate your position. No new ideas.

Aim for about 260–290 words. Longer essays do not score higher and give you more chances to make errors.

The mistakes that keep you at 6.5

• Answering a different question: writing about "technology" when the question asks about "technology in schools for young children".
• Missing part of the task: giving your opinion but not discussing both views when asked.
• Memorised phrases: templates like "In this contemporary era" read as unnatural and do not earn vocabulary marks.
• Small grammar errors: articles, subject-verb agreement and comma splices, repeated in every paragraph.
• Weak Task 1 overview: in Academic Task 1, no clear summary of the main trends.

See worked examples in the Task 2 mistakes that hold people at 6.5.

How to practise Writing for Band 7

1. Write one Task 2 essay under 40 minutes.
2. Get it marked against the four criteria, with each error shown.
3. Rewrite the essay with every correction.
4. Write the next essay focusing on the top two problems only.

Repeat this loop. Writing twenty essays without feedback usually repeats the same mistakes twenty times.

How to get Band 7 in Task 1

In Academic Task 1, write a clear overview of the main trends, then group the details logically and compare the key figures. Do not give your opinion. In General Training Task 1, cover every bullet point in the letter and use the right tone for the reader.

Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2.

How PrepEve trainers help with Writing

At PrepEve, every essay is marked by a trainer, not software. You see exactly which sentences cost marks and how to fix them, then you write again. Live Coaching includes unlimited writing evaluations. Read more on IELTS Writing coaching.

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