IELTS Writing Band 6 vs 7: What Examiners Say (126 Answers)

Complex sentences and linking are not the difference

Comparing the Band 6–6.5 and Band 7+ comments shows why adding complexity rarely helps: complex sentences and linking devices barely separate the two groups. Examiners mention complex sentences in 57% (33/58) of Band 6–6.5 comments and 59% (23/39) of Band 7+ comments. They praise cohesive devices in 78% (45/58) of Band 6–6.5 scripts versus 85% (33/39) at Band 7+. When examiners mention these features at Band 6, it is usually as praise. In Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 3, Task 2 (Band 6), the examiner writes: "Cohesive devices are used effectively" and "There is a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including different types of subordinate clauses".

Adding still more connectors often backfires. Linking was called mechanical or overused in 9 of the 58 Band 6–6.5 scripts, compared with 2 of the 39 at Band 7+. In Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Test 1, Task 2 (Band 6.5), the comment notes: "Cohesive devices can be quite mechanical with examples at the start of most sentences [First of all | However | On the other hand | Firstly]". A Band 6 letter in Cambridge IELTS 19 General Training Test 4 draws a similar remark: "Some useful linking devices are used [However | First of all | Moreover | Besides], although they all come at the beginning of the sentence."

Grammar at Band 7 is about clean sentences, not longer ones

If Band 6 writers already use complex structures, what holds their Grammatical Range and Accuracy score down? In the official descriptors, Band 6 states: "A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used but flexibility is limited." Band 7 requires that "A variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy" and adds: "Grammar and punctuation are generally well controlled, and error-free sentences are frequent."

In the examiner comments, the phrase "error-free" appears in just 7% (4/58) of Band 6–6.5 scripts, rising to 41% (16/39) at Band 7+. Meanwhile, examiners point out grammar errors in 86% (50/58) of Band 6–6.5 scripts versus 62% (24/39) at Band 7+.

A Band 7.5 comment in Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Test 4, Task 2 shows what examiners look for: "Grammar and punctuation are well controlled and there are frequent error-free sentences." Still, Band 7 is not perfection: grammar errors were pointed out in those 62% of Band 7+ scripts, and spelling errors in 54% (21/39). You do not need an error-free essay, but you do need enough clean sentences that accuracy stands out.

At Band 6, small slips in plurals, articles, verb patterns, and agreement appear in too many sentences. In Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 2, Task 2 (Band 6), the examiner notes: "Some errors do occur [Todays / Today's | to read book(s) | makes some people to believe / makes some people believe | digital versions of books ... is / are more convenient | Printing so / such a huge amount of articles], but the meaning is still clear." When those slips accumulate—as in Cambridge IELTS 17 General Training Test 1, Task 1 (Band 6), where "there are more than a few errors [for you / to you | an advice / advice | suggest you / suggest] which detract from the overall score"—they pull the score down.

Band 7 vocabulary: precise words in natural combinations

In Lexical Resource, 16 of the 58 Band 6–6.5 comments describe the vocabulary as sufficient or adequate, matching the Band 6 descriptor: "The resource is generally adequate and appropriate for the task." In Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 3, Task 2 (Band 6), for example, "The range of vocabulary is sufficient for the task", alongside "some errors in word formation and spelling".

At Band 7, the descriptor states: "There is some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items" and "An awareness of style and collocation is evident, though inappropriacies occur." Examiners mention collocation in 69% (27/39) of Band 7+ comments, compared with 22% (13/58) at Band 6–6.5, and they praise less common or precise vocabulary in 87% (34/39) of Band 7+ comments versus 43% (25/58) at Band 6–6.5.

Band 6 writers also attempt less common words, but often with mistakes in spelling or word form. In Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Test 1, Task 1 (Band 6), the examiner notes: "There is some less common vocabulary but spelling is often inaccurate [acomodate / accommodate | biuldings / buildings] and word formation is incorrect [substantially growth / substantial growth]." At Band 7, writers use less common words accurately and pair words naturally. In Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Test 1, Task 2 (Band 7), the examiner writes: "The range of vocabulary includes some less common items [fate | paranoid] and shows examples of style and collocation [go with the flow | figured out a solution | problems are solved | my honest opinion]." Less common words help when they are accurate and natural; forcing unfamiliar synonyms does not.

Extending an argument in Task 2 instead of listing points

Accuracy and vocabulary are two of the four criteria; the third difference sits in Task Response across the Task 2 essays (26 at Band 6–6.5 and 28 at Band 7+). At Band 6, "Main ideas are relevant, but some may be insufficiently developed or may lack clarity..." At Band 7, "A clear and developed position is presented" and "Main ideas are extended and supported but there may be a tendency to over-generalise..."

Examiners praise ideas as developed in 75% (21/28) of Band 7+ essays, compared with 27% (7/26) at Band 6–6.5. They praise a clear position in 68% (19/28) of Band 7+ essays versus 46% (12/26) at Band 6–6.5.

In Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 1, Task 2 (Band 6.5), the comment reads: "Ideas are supported by examples, though there is room for further development here." In Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Test 1, Task 2 (Band 7), the examiner writes: "Ideas are presented, extended and supported." Even at Band 7+, 14 of the 28 comments note that some part could be developed further. And development is not about writing much more: median Task 2 length is 291 words at Band 6–6.5 and 306 words at Band 7+. It usually pays to take an idea one step further instead of listing another underdeveloped point.

Where Task 1 loses Band 7: vague overviews and thin bullet points

In Task 1, examiners focus on the overview in Academic reports (19 at Band 6–6.5 and only 3 at Band 7+) and the prompt bullet points in General Training letters (13 at Band 6–6.5 and 8 at Band 7+). In Academic Task 1, the overview was called missing, unclear, or incomplete in 53% (10/19) of Band 6–6.5 reports versus 0% (0/3, only three answers) at Band 7+. In General Training letters, a bullet point was called too thin in 54% (7/13) of Band 6–6.5 scripts versus 25% (2/8) at Band 7+.

In 11 of the 19 Band 6–6.5 Academic reports, the examiner acknowledges a clear or sufficient overview somewhere in the comment, yet 5 of those still count among the 10 flagged as incomplete because they do not summarise the main stages or changes. Band 6 requires only that "A relevant overview is attempted", whereas Band 7 requires that "It presents a clear overview, the data are appropriately categorised, and main trends or differences are identified."

In Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 4, Task 1 (Band 6), the examiner writes: "There is an overview, but it is rather generic and only tells us how many main stages there are", adding that "instead of reporting the number of stages, there should be a summary of the main stages." In Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 3 (Band 6.5), "A stronger overview would help to raise the overall score." All three Band 7+ Academic reports in the books had an overview called clear: Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Test 2 (Band 7) notes that "There is a clear overview at the end of the description", while the overview in Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Test 2 (Band 7.5) highlights the consistently increasing trend in the table and the largest category in the pie charts.

In General Training letters, examiners often ask Band 6 writers to extend one or more bullet points. Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Test 1 (Band 6) notes: "The candidate has addressed all three bullet points, though there is room for extension of each one." At Band 7, in Cambridge IELTS 14 General Training Test 3, "The response covers all the bullet points and develops them at some length."

Why the strategy that gets you to Band 6 stops working at Band 7

Comparing all three groups—Band 5.5 or below (29 answers), Band 6–6.5 (58), and Band 7+ (39)—explains why learners keep trying to add longer clauses and rarer words: those fixes do match the problems at Band 5.

Criticism of a limited range of structures falls from 55% (16/29) at Band 5.5 or below to 29% (17/58) at Band 6–6.5 and 10% (4/39) at Band 7+. Criticism of limited or repetitive vocabulary falls from 41% (12/29) to 22% (13/58) and then 8% (3/39). Likewise, 6 of the 8 Task 2 essays at Band 5.5 or below were under 250 words (only one comment explicitly mentions length), whereas above 250 words length barely separates Band 6 from Band 7.

At Band 5, writing more words and attempting subordinate clauses solves the problem of narrow range. Once you reach Band 6, range is rarely the bottleneck; pushing for more complexity at the expense of control tends to add errors.

How to revise like a Band 7 writer

The table below pairs typical Band 6 and Band 7 examiner comments across five areas.

When you revise a draft, drop mechanical sentence-initial connectors and check articles, plurals, agreement, and verb patterns so more sentences run error-free. Use less common words that you can spell and combine naturally rather than forcing rare synonyms you are unsure of, extend each main point in Task 2 with an extra sentence of explanation, and make sure your Academic Task 1 overview summarises the actual trends or stages. For a closer look at the criteria and real scripts, see the official band descriptors and our guide to official Cambridge samples.

Common questions

Do I need complex sentences for Band 7?

Complex sentences come up at nearly the same rate in Band 6–6.5 and Band 7+ examiner comments (57% versus 59%); Band 6 answers typically already mix simple and complex forms. The Band 7 descriptor asks that "A variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy"—so the difference lies mainly in accuracy and flexibility, not how many complex sentences you include.

Can a Band 7 essay have grammar mistakes?

Yes: examiners pointed out grammar errors in 62% of Band 7+ comments and spelling errors in 54%. As the Band 7 descriptor states, "A few errors in grammar may persist, but these do not impede communication." What matters is that "error-free sentences are frequent"—the phrase "error-free" appears in 41% of Band 7+ comments compared with 7% at Band 6–6.5.

How long should a Band 7 Task 2 essay be?

Above 250 words, length barely separates the bands: the median Task 2 length is 291 words at Band 6–6.5 and 306 words at Band 7+. By our count, 6 of the 8 Task 2 essays at Band 5.5 or below were under 250 words. Once you write past 250 words, spend your effort on development and accuracy rather than extra length.

Do I need advanced vocabulary for Band 7?

Examiners praised less common or precise words in 87% of Band 7+ comments versus 43% at Band 6–6.5, and mentioned collocation in 69% versus 22%. Band 6 writers also attempt less common words, but often with spelling or word-form errors; what counts at Band 7 is using them precisely and in natural combinations.

What makes an Academic Task 1 overview clear?

Examiners want the overview to summarise the main trends, stages, or changes rather than merely stating how many stages there are—as the comment in Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Test 4 (Band 6) puts it, "instead of reporting the number of stages, there should be a summary of the main stages." That matches the Band 7 descriptor: "It presents a clear overview, the data are appropriately categorised, and main trends or differences are identified."

How we counted the comments

We analysed all 126 officially scored candidate answers and 1,090 sentences of examiner comment in the Cambridge IELTS 13–21 Academic and General Training books published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge IELTS 18 General Training has only model answers). Earlier comments predate the May 2023 descriptor revision, though both versions describe the core Band 6/7 differences in much the same way. The percentages record how often examiners explicitly mention a point in their comment (a feature not mentioned may still be present), and only 3 Academic Task 1 answers in the books are at Band 7 or above.

To see where your own writing sits between Band 6 and Band 7, write a response in the simulator below. It scores your essay on the same four official criteria and gives an overall band, four criterion bands, and sentence-level edits.