How Examiners Score IELTS Writing Task 2 Only
Task 2 rubric · Four criteria · May 2026
In Band9AI first-party platform telemetry (sample denominator: 14,231; see methodology), writing candidates flagged at Band 5–6 most often leak marks through task response under-development in Writing Task 2. This is an observational practice metric, not a controlled trial or guaranteed official IELTS lift. Verification methodology
Last updated (factual triplet change):
IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored only on Task Response (TR), Coherence and Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): each from 0 to 9, then averaged for the Task 2 sub-score. Examiners do not mix Task 1 rules into Task 2: there is no overview requirement, no data comparison, and no letter register. They read for whether you answer every part of the prompt, develop ideas with support, organise paragraphs logically, and control grammar and vocabulary at your target band.
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The four Task 2 criteria
Holistic scoring means one weak criterion can pull the whole task down, see holistic scoring explained.
How examiners apply the rubric
| Step | What they look for |
|---|---|
| Prompt check | All question parts addressed; no partial agree/disagree |
| TR first pass | Position clear in intro; body develops one line each |
| CC scan | Can they follow without re-reading? |
| LR / GRA | Error density and range vs band descriptors |
| Band decision | Weakest criterion often caps the task |
Task 2-only traps
- Task 1 habits: Listing without argument; missing “discuss both views”
- Under-length: Under 250 words limits TR development
- Memorised templates: Visible frames hurt TR and CC
- New ideas in conclusion: TR penalty
Compare Band 6 vs 7 Writing and examiner Task Response guide.
Practice protocol for Task 2 only
1. Prompt decomposition
Underline every instruction word (discuss, extent, causes, solutions).
2. TR-only draft
Outline position + two body topic sentences before writing.
3. Timed 40 minutes
Task 2 first in practice if Task 1 steals your logic.
4. Criterion-tagged feedback
Score TR and CC separately, see how Band9AI scores Writing practice.
Key takeaways
- Task 2 uses TR, CC, LR, GRA, not Task Achievement.
- Examiners score Task 2 independently of Task 1.
- Prompt coverage and development drive TR; structure drives CC.
- Weakest criterion often caps the task band.
FAQ
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Data only Band9AI gives you (requires the product)
- Exact band breakdown by IELTS criterion: Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammar (and per-skill equivalents)
- Your single penalty pattern capping the score, not generic “keep practicing”
- Timed section mocks under exam clock. Start one skill at a time from the dashboard after checkout
Find which Task 2 criterion, not vocabulary alone, is capping your band.
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