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From Band 6.5 to 7.0 in IELTS Writing: Looking Back on How I Prepared (Part 3 of 3): What Worked, Six Suggestions and a Map of the Series

Cover: From 6.5 to 7.0, What Worked, Part 3 of 3
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In this post: What my records show actually worked, six suggestions if you are still stuck at 6.5 (with a six-week plan), and a map of the whole IELTS Writing series.

From Band 6.5 to 7.0 · 3 parts

  1. 1. Result, timeline, early stages
  2. 2. Fifty essays and the last mile
  3. 3. What worked, advice, series map (you are here)

7. Looking back: what my records show worked

This is my summary after comparing the timeline with my score records. The “visible evidence” column only includes things that are actually in the records.

What I didVisible evidenceMy interpretation
Four criterion scores for every essayTask 2 CC from about 6.4 to about 7.9; Task 1 TA 5s identified as a clusterKnowing what to practise matters more than how much you practise
The same marker for six weeks in a rowScores could be compared directly, and trends were visibleWhen you compare scores, a consistent standard is crucial
Writing the same question type in a rowOutweigh 6.5 → 7 → 7.5 → 7.5The problem from one essay gets fixed straight away in the next
Trimming to under 300 words and aiming for a low error rateI could finish and still have time to check; I got 7.0 without using very difficult wordsBe steady first, then be impressive
Notes in sections A–H, plus corrections in capitalsErrors and useful expressions collected in fixed placesEvery round of marking leaves something behind
Intensive marking spread across different teachers (Mar–May 2024)Many essays, but both tests in that period gave Writing 6.5It built up material, but lacked a consistent standard and criterion scores

If I could keep only one sentence, it would be this: getting from 6.5 to 7.0 wasn’t about one magic template, but about the cycle of “find the criterion that’s dragging you down → track it against one consistent standard → test it by writing the same question type in a row”.

That’s also why I divided this series into four main blocks: structure, language, sample essays and practice methods. Structure solves “how to write it”, language solves “how to write it correctly”, the samples show you the differences between scores, and the practice methods tie them all together.

8. Six suggestions if you’re still stuck at 6.5

These are suggestions; adjust them to fit your own time and budget.

  1. First, find out which criterion you’re stuck on. If you’ve already taken the test, you can request your sub-scores first (see my guide how to get your IELTS sub-scores, in Chinese); for practice essays, record all four criterion scores for every essay.
  2. Look at Task 1 and Task 2 separately. Their weak criteria may be completely different. Mine were TA in Task 1 and CC in Task 2.
  3. Find one consistent source of marking and write with it for a sustained period. Scores only mean something when compared against the same standard.
  4. Write 2–4 essays of the same question type in a row. Change only one thing in each, and use the next essay to check whether it worked.
  5. Write shorter and more precisely. Finishing around 300 words with time left to check is safer than aiming for 400 and not finishing.
  6. Put every round of marking into your notes. Use corrections in capitals with the original in brackets, and turn your errors into a checklist for the next essay (method in how to turn marked essays into notes).

A six-week plan you can use straight away (suggested)

WeekFocusEssays per week (suggested)
Week 1Write one essay of each question type to set a baseline for the four criteria4–6
Week 2Find the lowest criterion for Task 1 and for Task 2; write your weakest question type several times in a row4–6
Week 3Change only one thing (for example, the topic sentence of each paragraph, or naming the highest value in the overview)4–6
Week 4Add new question types (maps, tables and so on) and accept a temporary drop4–6
Week 5Review the bracketed errors in your notes and update your checklist; practise finishing within 300 words4–6
Week 6Timed mock tests, writing both tasks together (60 minutes); use only your checklist, and don’t add anything new3–4 mock tests
Tip: I wrote about 50 essays in those six weeks, which was an intensive sprint schedule. Ordinary preparation doesn’t have to be that intense. What matters is that every essay gets a score, gets written up in your notes, and gives you a target for the next one.

9. Map of the whole IELTS Writing series

Here are all the posts in the series so far, grouped by topic. If this is your first visit, I suggest reading the structure posts for Task 1 and Task 2 first, then the band score samples, and finally using the practice methods to tie everything together.

Map of the six IELTS Writing series and a suggested reading order: Task 1 Structure (7 posts) and Task 2 Structure (9), then Writing Language (4) and Topic Guides (10), then Band Score Samples (19), and finally Practice Methods (5) to tie everything together
Suggested reading order: structure first, then language and topics, then the band score samples, and finally the practice methods to tie it all together.

Task 1 Structure

Task 2 Structure

Writing Language

Topic Guides

Practice Methods

Band Score Samples: Task 1

Band Score Samples: Task 2, Band 6–6.5

Band Score Samples: Task 2, Band 7–7.5

From my first essay at the end of 2021 to Writing 7.0 in July 2024, there were a lot of 6.5s along the way. I hope this map helps you take fewer detours: first find where you’re stuck, then pick the posts that match.

Further reading

This is the last part of “From Band 6.5 to 7.0”. To start again, go back to Part 1.

IELTS Notes in English · Practice Methods (post 2 of 5)

← Previous: How IELTS Writing Is Scored: The Official Band Descriptors in Plain English, Band 5 to 8

Next →: Stuck at the Same Score? How to Find Recurring Problems in Your Practice Records

Task 1 Structure · Task 2 Structure · Topic Guides · Writing Language · Band Score Samples · Practice Methods · Speaking & Study Tips

→ Back to all IELTS notes in English　｜　閱讀中文版

✦ Target Your Future

Some days you practise for hours and the score still does not move. I hope these notes remind you that the setbacks are part of the road: every recording you replayed, every essay you rewrote and every sentence you finally dared to say is progress you have already made.

I wrote this down so the next person can take fewer detours. You do not have to follow my method exactly. Find a rhythm that works for you, rest when you need to, and come back for the next small step.

I hope what you take away is more than a number on a score report: a little more confidence in yourself, and the courage to step a bit closer to the world.

— Ting

← Back to IELTS notes in English

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