Cracking the Code: The Band 7 Descriptors
Why are you stuck at 6.5? Here is exactly what the examiners want.
For many candidates, Band 7.0 is the "Magic Number." It opens doors for professional registration (nurses, doctors, lawyers) and boosts your CRS score for Canadian Permanent Residency (CLB 9).
However, the jump from 6.5 to 7.0 is the hardest leap to make. It requires moving from "competent" English to "good" English. At **RupIELTS Institute**, we specialize in helping students cross this bridge. Let’s break down the official criteria.
Writing Task 2: The 4 Pillars
Your writing score is the average of four criteria. To get a 7, you need to satisfy these specific requirements:
1. Task Response (TR)
- Addresses all parts: You discuss both views (if asked) and give your opinion.
- Clear Position: Your opinion is clear from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Extended Ideas: You don't just list bullet points. You present a main idea, explain it, and give an example.
2. Coherence & Cohesion (CC)
- Logical Flow: One paragraph = one central topic.
- Linking Words: You use a range of linkers (Furthermore, Consequently, On the other hand) appropriately, not mechanically.
- Referencing: You use pronouns (it, this, they) effectively to avoid repetition.
3. Lexical Resource (LR)
- Less Common Vocabulary: You use "topic-specific" words with some awareness of style and collocation.
- Precision: You say exactly what you mean (e.g., using "deteriorate" instead of "get worse").
- Few Errors: Occasional spelling mistakes are allowed, but they shouldn't impede communication.
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA)
- Complex Structures: You use a variety of sentence types (Conditionals, Passive Voice, Relative Clauses).
- Error Control: You produce frequent error-free sentences.
- Punctuation: You know where to put a comma!
Speaking: What Does a "7" Sound Like?
You can speak at length without noticeable effort. You may hesitate to search for an idea, but rarely to search for a word.
You use idiomatic language (e.g., "it costs an arm and a leg" or "hit the nail on the head") naturally. You can paraphrase effectively if you forget a word.
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Your mistakes are non-systematic (you don't make the same basic error repeatedly).
You can be understood effortlessly. You use intonation to convey meaning (sounding excited, doubtful, etc.). An accent is fine, as long as it is clear.
Listening & Reading: The Raw Score
Unlike Writing and Speaking, these are objective. To get a Band 7.0, you must hit these raw scores out of 40 questions:
Listening
30 / 40
Reading (Academic)
30 / 40
Reading (General)
34 / 40
Don't Guess Your Score. Know It.
RupIELTS Institute offers Mock Tests with detailed feedback based on these exact descriptors. Find out if you are a 6.0 or a 7.0 before you pay for the real exam.
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