IELTS Writing
What IELTS Writing band 6.5 means
Close to band 7: usually some criteria at 7 and some at 6, often held back by grammar accuracy or under-developed ideas.
What an examiner sees at 6.5
- A clear position and relevant ideas, but at least one body paragraph that stays general.
- Generally logical organisation, with linking that is sometimes overused.
- Some less common vocabulary, used with occasional imprecision.
- Complex sentences with frequent small errors in articles, agreement or punctuation.
What usually holds an essay at 6.5
- Errors in most longer sentences, even when the meaning is clear.
- Support that is too general to prove the point.
- Ambitious words used slightly wrongly.
How to reach 7.0
- 1
Aim for error-free sentences: most of your sentences should have no mistakes at all.
- 2
Make each body paragraph prove one point with a specific reason, result or example.
- 3
Choose the precise word over the impressive one, and learn words in natural phrases.
- 4
Leave three minutes to check articles, plurals and subject–verb agreement.
Is your essay at 6.5?
Get an estimated band for each criterion and the sentences that hold you back. Free, about a minute.
What Writing 6.5 is worth
- Canada (General Training)
- CLB 8
- 23 CRS points for Writing, single applicant
- Australia points test
- Competent
- If your other skills are at least 6.0
Universities set their own requirements, usually as an overall band plus a minimum in each skill. Check the course page. Work out your overall band with the band score calculator, or your CRS points with the IELTS to CLB calculator.
Practise for 7.0
See every criterion side by side in the band descriptors explained, pick a question from the Task 2 question bank, and plan it with the essay planner.