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IELTS Writing Coaching: How Trainer Feedback Moves You From 6 to 7

To improve IELTS Writing, practise both tasks under the real 60-minute limit and get each answer marked against the four official criteria. Feedback should show the exact sentences costing you marks and how to fix them. Focus first on Task 2, because it counts twice as much as Task 1.

Last updated: 28 September 2026 · Written by the PrepEve team

Time
60 minutes for both tasks
Task 1
At least 150 words (Academic: describe visual information; General Training: a letter)
Task 2
At least 250 words; an essay. Counts twice as much as Task 1
Marked on
Task Achievement / Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy — equal weight

Why does IELTS Writing get stuck at 6 or 6.5?

Usually because you practise without knowing which criterion is holding you back. Writing more essays repeats the same mistakes. Marked feedback breaks that loop.

Common patterns we see at 6 to 6.5:

  • Task Response: the essay answers a slightly different question, or one part of a two-part question is thin.
  • Coherence and Cohesion: linking words are used mechanically ("Moreover", "Furthermore") but paragraphs lack one clear idea each.
  • Lexical Resource: memorised "advanced" words used in the wrong context, which costs accuracy.
  • Grammar: complex sentences attempted, but with frequent small errors in articles, agreement or punctuation.

For worked examples, read the Task 2 mistakes that hold people at 6.5.

How is IELTS Writing marked?

Each task is marked on four criteria of equal weight. Task 2 then counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band.

  1. Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2) — did you answer every part of the question fully?
  2. Coherence and Cohesion — are ideas in a logical order, with clear paragraphs?
  3. Lexical Resource — is your vocabulary wide enough and used accurately?
  4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy — do you use varied structures with few errors?

Writing below the minimum word count also affects your score, so count your words in practice. See how IELTS band scores are calculated for the full picture.

What does useful writing feedback look like?

Useful feedback names the criterion, quotes your sentence, and shows a better version. A single band number with "good work" does not help you improve.

Weak feedback"Band 6. Improve vocabulary and grammar."
Useful feedback"Paragraph 2 gives two ideas but develops neither (Task Response). Pick one, add an example. Sentence 4: 'the peoples who lives' — plural agreement error (Grammar)."

Look for three things:

  • Comments linked to the four criteria, not general impressions.
  • Specific sentences marked, with a corrected version.
  • A pattern across essays: "this is the mistake you keep making".

How do you improve IELTS Writing, step by step?

Diagnose, fix one criterion at a time, then rehearse under time. This order stops you practising errors.

  1. Write one timed Task 1 and one timed Task 2 and get both marked. This is your baseline.
  2. Find your lowest criterion. Work on that first. For many learners it is Task Response or grammar accuracy.
  3. Plan before you write. Spend a few minutes deciding your position and one main idea per paragraph.
  4. Rewrite, don't just rewrite new essays. Correct a marked essay yourself, then compare.
  5. Keep an error log. List your repeated mistakes and check for them in every new essay.
  6. Practise the full 60 minutes. Start with Task 2 if that helps you protect the task that counts more.

Do you need a coach, or can you improve Writing alone?

You can improve alone if you can judge your own essays against the criteria. Most learners stuck at 6 to 6.5 cannot yet see their own errors, which is why marked feedback helps.

Self-study versus trainer feedback for IELTS Writing
Self-studyTrainer feedback
CostLowPaid
Finding your errorsHard to spot your ownMarked sentence by sentence
Link to criteriaDepends on your knowledgeExplicit
SuitsLearners who already know their weak criterionLearners stuck at the same band

Where does PrepEve fit?

PrepEve is an online IELTS coaching provider for Academic and General Training. Writing is marked by trainers, not software.

  • Live Coaching (₹14,999, 30 days): alternate-day live sessions of 1.5 hours, batches of at most 5 students, unlimited writing evaluations, 1-on-1 speaking mock interviews, 5 full-length mock tests and WhatsApp doubt support.
  • 1-on-1 Mentorship (₹19,999, 30 days): a dedicated coach, alternate-day 1-on-1 sessions, a custom study plan and priority feedback within 4 hours, plus everything in Live Coaching.
  • Self-Paced (₹4,999, 30-day access): 30 recorded lectures across all 4 modules, 2 mock tests and notes. It does not include unlimited writing evaluations.

Two student outcomes: Pratishtha (now at UCL, UK) went from an overall 6.0 to 8.0, and Deepanshu went from 6.5 to 7.5. These are overall bands; results vary with each learner's starting point and effort.

The Exam-Cleared Guarantee: attend every session, submit every practice task and take every mock test — if you still don't clear your exam, we refund your full fee. It applies to Live Coaching and 1-on-1 Mentorship only. Conditions apply; ask us on WhatsApp for the full terms.

Frequently asked questions

How is IELTS Writing Task 2 weighted?
Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1 in your Writing band. That is why improving your essay usually moves your Writing score more than improving Task 1.
What are the four IELTS Writing criteria?
Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each has equal weight within a task.
How many words do I need to write?
At least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2. You have 60 minutes for both tasks.
Will learning advanced vocabulary raise my Writing band?
Only if you use it accurately. Wrong word choice lowers Lexical Resource. Precise, natural words usually score better than rare words used incorrectly.
How often should I get essays marked?
Often enough that you fix a mistake before it becomes a habit. A useful rhythm is to write, get it marked, correct it yourself, then write the next one.
Does PrepEve mark writing by hand?
Yes. Trainers mark your writing. Live Coaching includes unlimited writing evaluations, and 1-on-1 Mentorship adds priority feedback within 4 hours.

Find out which Writing criterion is holding you back

In the free demo class, a trainer runs a live mini-class, assesses your current level and gives you a study plan to keep. Your slot is confirmed on WhatsApp within 30 minutes.

Sources

Official IELTS information, checked September 2026. PrepEve facts are from PrepEve's own programs and student records.

  1. IELTS.org — Test format
  2. IELTS.org — How IELTS is scored
  3. British Council — IELTS test format
  4. IDP IELTS — IELTS test format