Discover the secret to getting beyond the IELTS band 8 score
According to IELTS test statistics published in 2016, the average IELTS writing band score worldwide is 6.0. This average is taken from a 2016 sample of 3 million test-takers in over 140 countries. Indian candidates on average scored 5.5 for writing, while candidates in Saudi Arabia achieved an average writing score of 4.5.So, what is behind this writing 6.0 trend?
Many candidates have tried multiple times to increase their writing score and failed. So, why is it so hard to score above a 6.0 in IELTS writing? Is there a conspiracy as many candidates have claimed?
The good news is that there is no conspiracy. Yes, scoring above band 8 can be tough, and it may take a long time, but it is definitely possible. And we can show you how.
Since E2Language launched, we’ve been refining our methods, analysing hundreds of Writing Tasks and collecting information from our successful students. The result? We’ve cracked the IELTS 8 code.
This is not a hack or a trick; scoring 8+ is a team effort, and we’re with you all the way. Read on for the E2Language steps to success!
1. Know the writing criteria
These mysterious band descriptors, or criteria, are what IELTS examiners use to score candidates’ essays. Although the band descriptors are publicly available, looking at them can feel like looking at hieroglyphics. This means that the mystery behind the IELTS writing scoring remains elusive and unsolved for the average test-taker, often misinterpreted and misunderstood. Criteria are like targets. However, most test-takers don’t know what these targets are, and therefore, consistently miss the bullseye. Thankfully, it’s not all one big unsolvable mystery. Behind the obscure jargon and complex language of the band descriptors are clear writing objectives. E2Language has lifted the veil and uncovered the secrets, making the band descriptors not only understandable but also achievable.
Check out our video on IELTS Task 2 Marking and see our Task 1 Criteria videos inside our IELTS Courses.
2. Practice
Once you know what to do, according to the criteria, what next? It’s time to put it into practice.
But…
“I’m too busy!” “I don’t know where to start.” “I can’t motivate myself to write alone!”
Sound familiar? Procrastination is the enemy of IELTS preparation! Of course it can be difficult to motivate yourself to sit down and spend hours and hours writing tasks and essays.
That’s why we’ve made it easy for you.
Not only can you practise by yourself with our self-access course materials on E2Language.com, but we also run over 12 Live Classes per week on Zoom, including 6 Writing sessions. And we’ve just introduced 5:1 Small Group Classes for even more guided practice.
All you have to do is click the link on your calendar and turn up. Your teacher will guide you step by step, sentence by sentence through the task, and remind you of those pesky band descriptors along the way.
3. Get feedback from IELTS experts
This is critical. How can you be sure you’re on track without some objective feedback? At E2, our teachers are all ex-examiners or trained by examiners, and we know the IELTS criteria inside out.
So, when we mark your work, we don’t just check your grammar and vocabulary (of course we do that too!), but we also look at every other aspect of the writing criteria. We give you feedback on every single thing, from how you develop your ideas and structure your paragraphs, to your use of articles and prepositions.
Your Writing Score Report is your roadmap to IELTS success.
If you want some live feedback and more time with your teacher, book into a Small Group Class or take a 45-minute 1:1 tutorial.
4. Take action
Writing a task is not where the work ends. Actually, this is where it begins. When you get your Score Report back from your teacher, read the comments, follow the links to remedial resources, and turn those weaknesses into strengths.
5. Practice more!
There’s always more to learn when it comes to IELTS Writing. Keep coming to class, attend the weekend Masterclasses, explore extra Writing Topics, use the Topic Toolkits, rewrite samples and your old essays to refine your skills. And if you need some support or extra motivation, we’re always here for you!
Ravi Jha says:
Dear Team,
I am from federal republic of Nepal. Is there any branch of E2 language in Nepal?? Please let me know, as i am looking for online IELTS preparation and planning to take exam date soon.
leo says:
Hi Ravi!
Thank you so much for your interest in E2Language.
E2Language is a full online English Test Preparation Provider, that means, you can access the materials and study anytime, anywhere. Please visit http://www.e2language.com for more info.
Emma says:
Dear E2 Team,
I’m a Budget member but the email I used has been disabled. It was my student email address. May I ask if I can change to another email address? I wanted to join the IELTS MasterClass and already registered using that student email address without realizing that I can’t access anymore. My E2 ID is E2L-17197. Please advise me on this matter.
Regards,
Emma
abhi says:
Hello Emma,
Please raise the issue with our Duty Tutor here so that we can assist you.
Best,
AC
Olamide says:
Good day,
please I need assistance. I had written IELTS more than four times and am still struggling to move from over all band 6. ( speaking 7.0, Writing 5.5, Reading 6.0, Listening 5.5.). Your kind assistance to move from this level to a higher band of 8.
Thanks.
abhi says:
Hello Olamide,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your scores across.
Please share your scorecard, the scores you wish to achieve and your next test date here so that our Duty Tutors can assist you further.
Best,
AC
Latoya says:
Hi… I have sign up for your free trial, just to see what E2 entails. I have my ilets exam for may 24th ” 1st and last last attempt so I need a great score.. doing this to migrate to America as a nurse. please email me at [email protected] and tell which plan is best for me
abhi says:
Hello Latoya,
Please feel free to reach out to our Duty Tutors with your queries here for further assistance.
Best,
AC
Marilyn says:
Hi
I already tooke ielts twice and i got 6.5 overall, what do u think is better ielts or ptea
Im aiming for 7 all bands or 65+
Could u assist me guys what exam is better for me?
Thanks
abhi says:
Hello Marilyn,
Our Duty Tutors would be the perfect experts to assist you here. Please raise your query here and they would be happy to assist you.
Best,
AC
Osemu says:
Dear E2 Team,
I have written IELTS, GT three times, and my listening scores has been stuck at 6.5. Please I need your help on how to get a score of 8 or above.
Thank you.
abhi says:
Hello Osemu,
I think our Duty Tutors will be able to help you out. Please share your recent test scores, the scores you wish to achieve and your next test date by clicking on this link so that our Duty Tutors can assist you further.
Best,
AC
IELTS Classes says:
Hey! This is an informative yet motivating blog about IELTS exam. I am looking for IELTS classes in Noida, do you provide online classes for IELTS?
E2Language Team says:
Hello, we are glad to hear it is motivating! Yes we do provide online classes for IELTS. You can sign up for free at http://www.e2language.com and attend a free live class to get a feel for it. If you like it, we have a range of paid packages that provide different resources depending on your needs. Even the most basic package comes with 25 live classes with lots of teacher advice. For guidance, please reach out to our support team at [email protected]!