10 Common IELTS Writing Mistakes That Keep You at Band 6
After marking thousands of essays, these are the 10 mistakes we see most often — and every single one can be fixed in under a week.
#1: Not answering all parts of the question
This is the #1 reason good writers get band 6 for Task Response. IELTS questions always have multiple parts — 'To what extent do you agree or disagree' plus 'Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples'. Or 'Discuss both views and give your own opinion'. If you skip or rush one part, you cap your score at 6. Fix: underline every part of the question before you start writing. Check each one off as you plan your essay.
#2: Repeating the same linking words
Most candidates know 4–5 linking phrases and use them on every page: 'however', 'moreover', 'in addition', 'in conclusion'. This is a classic band 6 marker for Coherence & Cohesion. Fix: learn 2–3 alternatives for each common linker. For 'however': 'nevertheless', 'that said', 'on the other hand', 'conversely'. For 'moreover': 'furthermore', 'in addition', 'what is more', 'besides'.
#3: Overusing 'very' and 'really'
Band 6 writing is full of 'very important' and 'really difficult'. Band 7 uses 'crucial', 'significant', 'challenging', 'formidable'. Weak adverbs like 'very' tell the examiner you don't have precise vocabulary. Fix: go through your last 3 essays, find every 'very' and 'really', and replace each one with a stronger adjective.
#4: Body paragraphs with no structure
A band 6 body paragraph is a list of ideas. A band 7 body paragraph follows a clear structure: topic sentence → explanation → example → link back to the thesis. Fix: use the TEEL formula (Topic, Explain, Example, Link) for every body paragraph. It sounds formulaic but it's exactly what examiners look for at band 7.
#5: Writing too few words
Writing under the word count (150 for Task 1, 250 for Task 2) guarantees you lose marks. It also tends to mean your ideas are under-developed, which lowers Task Response too. Fix: always count your words. If you consistently write too little, add one more example or explanation per body paragraph.
#6: Spelling mistakes that change meaning
Occasional spelling errors are fine at band 7. But errors that cause confusion, or systematic errors with common words, will pull you down. Fix: keep a personal spelling list of words you regularly misspell. Review it for 5 minutes every day. Most people have 20–30 words they always get wrong — fixing those is low-hanging fruit.
#7: Starting every sentence with 'There is/are'
Sentence variety matters. If half your sentences start with 'There is' or 'It is', you're showing the examiner a limited range of structures. Fix: rewrite 5 sentences from your last essay using different sentence starters — a prepositional phrase, a gerund, a subordinate clause, an adverb.
#8: No clear position in opinion essays
At band 6, you might discuss both sides but your own position is unclear or only appears in the conclusion. At band 7, your position is clear throughout the essay. Fix: state your position in the introduction, support it in every body paragraph, and restate it in the conclusion. Don't save it for the end.
#9: Using memorised phrases awkwardly
Examiners can spot a memorised phrase instantly. 'In the contemporary era of modern society' is not how native speakers write — it's how candidates write. Memorised phrases hurt both Lexical Resource and Task Response. Fix: use your own words. A simple, original sentence is better than a memorised 'impressive' one.
#10: Not checking your work
Almost every candidate can find 2–3 errors in their essay if they spend 2–3 minutes checking. That's the difference between band 7 and band 6.5 for many people. Fix: always leave 3 minutes at the end to check your work. Read it silently from beginning to end, looking specifically for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and spelling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common mistake?+
Not fully addressing all parts of the question. It's also the most costly — a partial Task Response caps your score at band 6 regardless of how good your grammar and vocabulary are.
Can I fix these mistakes in one week?+
Most of them, yes. Mistakes 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10 are structural — once you know what to do differently, you can apply it immediately. Vocabulary and grammar mistakes take longer.
How can I check if I'm making these mistakes?+
Submit your essay to our checker and look at the evidence and priority fixes section. It will point out specific examples from your writing, not just general advice.
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