Free IELTS utilities
Band descriptors
Read clear explanations of overall bands plus Writing and Speaking criteria in examiner language.
- Overall band scale
- Writing criteria
- Speaking criteria
- Reference for self-review
0–9
Overall band scale
W×4
Writing criteria
S×4
Speaking criteria
Free
Reference for self-review
| Band | Overall user description |
|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user — fully operational command; accurate, appropriate, fluent. |
| 8 | Very good user — occasional unsystematic inaccuracies; handles complex language well. |
| 7 | Good user — operational command with occasional inaccuracies; handles complex language. |
| 6 | Competent user — generally effective despite inaccuracies; can use fairly complex language. |
| 5 | Modest user — partial command; copes with overall meaning in most situations. |
| 4 | Limited user — basic competence limited to familiar situations. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user — conveys and understands only general meaning. |
| 2 | Intermittent user — great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Non-user — essentially no ability to use the language beyond isolated words. |
Writing criteria
Examiners score Task 1 and Task 2 equally across four criteria (0–9 each), then average to an overall Writing band.
- Task Achievement / Task Response
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Speaking criteria
The face-to-face interview is scored on four criteria. Fluency and Pronunciation matter as much as grammar and vocabulary.
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
How to use Band Descriptors
- 1
Find your target band
Read the overall description for the band you need (for example 6.5 or 7.0).
- 2
Open the skill criteria
For Writing or Speaking, read the four criteria at your target band and the band below.
- 3
Review one attempt
Listen to a Part 2 recording or reread a Task 2 essay with only one criterion in mind.
- 4
Set a weekly focus
Example: “this week only Coherence” or “only Fluency”. Then practise with that lens.
Why descriptors matter
Objective L/R scores do not explain Writing and Speaking. Descriptors are the shared language examiners use for those skills.
AI reports and teacher comments are more useful when you can map them onto TR/CC/LR/GRA or Speaking fluency language.
Self-assessment is imperfect, but criterion-focused review beats generic goals like “write better English”.
Example study use
Target Writing 7.0. You notice Band 6 language mentions limited development of ideas, while Band 7 expects a clear position throughout.
Your next three Task 2 drills ignore new vocabulary lists and only check whether every paragraph supports the same thesis. Then run Writing Checker to confirm.
When to read descriptors
- Before a Writing or Speaking practice block, to set the week’s criterion focus.
- After Writing Checker or Speaking AI feedback, to translate scores into behaviours.
- When you plateau: compare your target band with the band below to see the missing behaviours.
Guides that explain bands in context
Descriptors are the reference sheet. Guides show how to train the behaviours behind them.
IELTS Band Score Chart 2026: How Raw Scores & Overall Bands Work
Overall bands plus L/R raw conversions.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Structure, Essay Types and Band-Raising Habits (2026)
Turn Writing descriptor language into essay structure.
IELTS Speaking Parts 1-3: Goals, Timing, Examiner Focus and Practice Loop (2026)
Map Speaking criteria onto Parts 1–3 behaviours.
IELTS Tips for Band 7-9: Per-Skill Deep Dive & Mistake Taxonomy (2026)
Habits that separate band 6 from band 7–9.
Related tools and practice
Keep the loop moving: measure → feedback → timed practice → full mock.
Other IELTS tools
Practice next
- Writing practice
Apply one Writing criterion per timed essay.
- Speaking practice
Record Part 2/3 with a fluency or lexical focus.
- Full mock tests
See whether descriptor goals survive exam timing.
Descriptors turn vague goals into trainable behaviours
“Get band 7” is not a plan. “Keep a clear position across all Task 2 paragraphs” is.
Read the public-style descriptor language here, then practise the smallest behaviour that separates your current band from the next.
Combine descriptors with the Score Calculator for L/R and Writing Checker for essays so every tool speaks the same criterion language.
Continue with a full mock test or return to all IELTS tools. full mock test · all IELTS tools
Band Descriptors FAQs
They paraphrase the publicly available IELTS band descriptions and criterion names for study. Always refer to your test provider for formal definitions.
Read the descriptors, then practise
Pick one criterion for this week, open a Writing or Speaking pack, and use Writing Checker when you need a second opinion.