Decoding the IELTS Matrix: What Examiners REALLY Look For to Give a Band 7+

For many IELTS test-takers, the scoring system can feel like a mysterious black box. You know you need a specific band score, but what does that actually mean? What is the real, tangible difference between a Band 6.5 and a 7.5? And what are the examiners really looking for when they listen to you speak or read your essay?

This guide will demystify the IELTS scoring system. We’ll pull back the curtain on the official band descriptors for both the Speaking and Writing tests, giving you a clear, “examiner’s-eye view” of what it takes to achieve that coveted Band 7 or higher.

The 4 Pillars of Your Score

Your score in both the Speaking and Writing tests is based on four key criteria. These aren’t secret; they are publicly available. Each of these “pillars” is equally weighted, contributing 25% to your final band score for that section. Understanding them is the first step to a better score.

Speaking: The Path to a Band 7+

To achieve a Band 7 or higher in the Speaking test, you need to demonstrate a high level of ability across all four criteria:

1. Fluency and Coherence

• What it means: Speaking smoothly and logically, with only occasional hesitation. Your ideas should be easy to follow.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Speaking at a good, natural pace (not too fast, not too slow).
  • Using a range of linking words to connect your ideas (e.g., “however,” “as a result,” “another point is…”).
  • Developing your topics fully instead of giving short, simple answers.
• What to avoid: Long pauses while you search for words; overusing fillers like “um” and “uh”; giving answers that are difficult to follow.

2. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

• What it means: Using a wide and appropriate range of vocabulary with precision.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Using less common words and idiomatic phrases naturally.
  • Skillfully paraphrasing the examiner’s questions (not just repeating them).
  • Using collocations (words that naturally go together) correctly, like “heavy traffic” or “valid reason.”
• What to avoid: Repeating the same simple words; using “fancy” words incorrectly; a limited vocabulary that stops you from expressing your ideas clearly.

3. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• What it means: Using a variety of grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy.
• What examiners want to see:
  • A good mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences.
  • A high percentage of error-free sentences.
  • Good control of different tenses, articles, and prepositions.
• What to avoid: Sticking only to simple sentences; making frequent grammatical errors that make your speech difficult to understand.

4. Pronunciation

• What it means: Being easy to understand, with natural-sounding intonation, stress, and rhythm. This is not about having a native accent.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Clear pronunciation of individual sounds.
  • Using rising and falling intonation to convey meaning and emotion.
  • Correctly stressing important words in your sentences.
• What to avoid: A flat, monotonous tone; pronunciation that is heavily influenced by your first language to the point it’s difficult to understand.

Writing: The Blueprint for a High Score

Similarly, in the Writing test, you need to excel across four areas to get a high score:

1. Task Achievement/Response

• What it means: Fully and appropriately addressing all parts of the question with a clear and well-supported position.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Answering every part of the question directly.
  • A clear and consistent position throughout your essay (for Task 2).
  • Well-developed main ideas supported by relevant examples and explanations.
• What to avoid: Going off-topic; not answering all parts of the question; having an unclear or contradictory opinion.

2. Coherence and Cohesion

• What it means: Organising your ideas logically and connecting them smoothly.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Clear paragraphing, with each paragraph having one central idea.
  • Effective use of linking words and phrases to guide the reader.
  • A logical flow of ideas from one paragraph to the next.
• What to avoid: A disorganised essay with no clear structure; the robotic overuse of linking words (e.g., starting every sentence with “Firstly,” “Secondly,” etc.).

3. Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)

• What it means: Using a wide and varied vocabulary with precision and accuracy.
• What examiners want to see:
  • Use of less common and topic-specific vocabulary.
  • Skillful paraphrasing to avoid repetition from the question.
  • Correct spelling and word formation.
• What to avoid: Repetitive vocabulary; using words incorrectly; frequent spelling mistakes.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• What it means: Using a variety of sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy.
• What examiners want to see:
  • A mix of simple, compound, and complex sentence structures.
  • A high number of error-free sentences.
  • Good control of punctuation.
• What to avoid: Repetitive sentence structures; frequent grammatical errors that make your writing difficult to understand.

Your Next Step: Get a Realistic Score

Understanding these criteria is the first and most important step toward achieving your target score. It’s not about being perfect, but about demonstrating competence across all four pillars.

The best way to see where you currently stand is to take a practice test and have it assessed against these official standards. Our IELTS mock test app provides a realistic test experience and can give you a clear indication of your current band score, helping you focus your preparation exactly where it’s needed most.