IELTS essay grader

Paste an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay. You get an estimated band on the four public criteria, quotes from your own text, and one fix for each.

The four IELTS criteria

Each is scored on a band from 0 to 9. The overall estimate is the mean of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. Described in our own words; the official descriptors are on ielts.org.

Task ResponseDoes the essay answer every part of the question, take a clear position, and support it with relevant ideas?band 0–9
Coherence & CohesionDo the ideas progress logically, in clear paragraphs, with linking words used naturally and not mechanically?band 0–9
Lexical ResourceHow wide and precise is the vocabulary, and are word choice and spelling accurate?band 0–9
Grammatical Range & AccuracyA mix of simple and complex sentences, and how often errors get in the reader's way.band 0–9

Task 2 asks for at least 250 words (key assessment criteria, checked 2026-11-03). Task 1 is not graded at launch.

How the overall band is estimated

We score each of the four criteria on its own band, add them, divide by four and round to the nearest half band. For example, 7, 6, 6 and 6 average 6.25, which rounds to 6.5. Each criterion is itself the median of three grader runs.

Use the four separate bands more than the overall number. A 6.5 made of 7, 7, 6 and 6 needs different work from a 6.5 made of 8, 6, 6 and 6.

A scored example

Introduction of a short sample essay we wrote ourselves, with the note for one criterion.

Sample essay written by usintroduction

Some people believe that cities should ban private cars from their centres. I agree with this idea, because it makes cities cleaner and quieter, but I also think it can cause problems for people who cannot walk far.1 In this essay I will explain both sides.

Task Response

band 6.0

“I agree with this idea, because it makes cities cleaner and quieter, but I also think it can cause problems for people who cannot walk far.”

Why: The position is stated, but it is split between agreeing and doubting. Examiners look for one clear view that the whole essay keeps defending.
Suggestion: Pick the side you can support best and move the concern about walking distance into a later paragraph as a limit on your view.
Rewrite example (this sentence only): I agree that cities should ban private cars from their centres, although the ban must come with good transport for people who cannot walk far.

Synthetic example. Scores are estimates, not official scores.

A second example: vocabulary

Another sentence from the same sample essay, this time for Lexical Resource.

Sample essay written by usbody paragraph

Cars are bad for the city. Cars make the city very bad because there are very many cars and they make a lot of bad air.3 A good thing is to use buses.

Lexical Resource

band 5.0

“Cars make the city very bad because there are very many cars and they make a lot of bad air.”

Why: The meaning is clear, but the same few words repeat (bad, very, many, cars) and "bad air" is imprecise. Range and precision are what separate bands here.
Suggestion: Swap general words for exact ones and avoid repeating the noun in one sentence.
Rewrite example (this sentence only): Heavy traffic fills the centre with exhaust fumes, which harms residents' health.

Synthetic example. Scores are estimates, not official scores.

How to practise with the estimate

Write under time
Time yourself separately, then paste the finished essay. The grader reads text only and cannot see how long you took.
Find your lowest criterion
Compare the four bands. The lowest one is usually where one habit, such as repeated linking words, is holding the others back.
Rewrite one paragraph, grade again
Change the paragraph the notes point at, grade the new version and see whether that band moved.

Common Task 2 mistakes

Answering only one part of a two-part question.
Repeating the same linking words (“Firstly”, “Moreover”) in every paragraph.
Memorised phrases that do not fit the topic.
Examples that are general (“many people”) instead of specific.
Finishing under 250 words.

Honest limits

A practice estimate, not an IELTS score.

IELTS bands are given by trained examiners. Ours are an AI estimate and can be a half band or more off.
The grader reads text only. It does not see your handwriting or the exam timing.
Read how we grade for the method and its limits.

Questions about IELTS grading

Is this an official IELTS band?

No. It is an estimate against the public band descriptors, summarised in our own words. It is not issued or endorsed by any IELTS partner.

Does it grade Task 1?

Not yet. Only Task 2 essays are graded.

Will it write my essay?

No. It scores what you wrote, quotes your sentences and rewrites one sentence at a time as an example.

How is the overall band worked out?

We score each of the four criteria, take the mean and round to the nearest 0.5. Each criterion is the median of three grader runs.

How many words should a Task 2 essay have?

At least 250 words, according to IELTS's key assessment criteria (checked 2026-11-03). The grader flags a shorter essay under Task Response, since an under-length answer is treated as not fully developed.

Can the estimate be a different band from my real result?

Yes. Examiners are trained people and our estimate is an AI reading of the public descriptors. Treat it as a practice signal, and check it against feedback from a teacher or tutor.