Have you been trying to get a Band 7 or more in the writing section of the IELTS test, but have been falling short each time? If your answer is yes, this blog post is perfect for you.
The IELTS test is a mandatory requirement for applicants wanting to study abroad or immigrate to countries like Canada, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand, because it tests their English language skills. Most individuals are required to have a minimum band in all four sections of the test to be eligible to apply for a visa to these countries. However, a common complaint from most people who sign up for my course, is that despite multiple attempts, they fall short of scoring a band of 7 in the Writing section. While getting this score is not impossible, there are a few factors to be kept in mind to achieve your target band.
There are 4 parameters you are assessed on in the Writing section of the IELTS test. The first is Task Achievement, which determines your ability to fulfill all the requirements of the task as expressed in the prompt and instructions. However, just doing the bare minimum is not sufficient to get you the coveted band of 7. Your ideas should also be well-developed and well-supported, and the information you use should be relevant and appropriate.
Another set of factors considered by IELTS examiners when evaluating writing tasks is Cohesion and Coherence. A major concern for most candidates is the lack of connection and progression in their writing because they are easily carried away with a myriad of thoughts, some of which may not be related to each other. It is, therefore, extremely important to use cohesive devices appropriately to prevent your sentences from sounding mechanical or faulty.
While most candidates are aware of the importance of vocabulary in the writing task, it is crucial to understand that peppering your writing with big words is not sufficient to get you your desired band. Having an advanced Lexical Resource is vital to this section while but you also need to ensure that the words you use are not only appropriate for the sentence and situation, but also spelled correctly.
And finally, don’t ignore your Grammatical Range when working on your writing skills. Spend some time learning how to correctly form a variety of complex sentences, and use them appropriately. No matter how much easier it is to use simple sentences, because they are shorter and less complicated to form, they will earn you a substantially lower band. However, in your quest to form grammatically complex sentences, make sure you pay attention to the cohesion and coherence of your writing, and avoid writing long, never-ending sentences that may not contain relevant information.
Some parting words of advice: The best way to know where you stand with regard to the Writing section is to have your tasks evaluated by a certified IELTS trainer, who will tell you what you’re good at and also point out the areas you need to work on, which will give you a sense of direction when you practice. If you’d like some assistance, we, at The English Platter, offer IELTS courses as well as add-on services such as the evaluation of writing tasks, and coaching for individual sections, to help you navigate the test better and achieve your desired score. If you’d like more information on our services, click here or leave us a message here and we’ll get back to you with the necessary details.
Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
