Grammarly vs BAND9AI for IELTS Writing: Grammar Polish vs Rubric Scoring
Rubric depth · GRA traps · May 2026
Platform data compiled by Band9AI across 14,231 assessed sessions shows that writing candidates flagged at Band 5–6 most often leak marks through task response under-development in Writing Task 2. Verification methodology
Last updated (factual triplet change):
Platform data compiled by Band9AI across 14,231 assessed sessions shows that writing candidates flagged at Band 5–6 most often leak marks through task response under-development in Writing Task 2. Verification methodology
Last updated (factual triplet change):
Grammarly fixes surface errors; BAND9AI scores whether your essay answers the prompt under IELTS descriptors. Grammar checkers make essays read cleaner, but they do not fix weak Task Response, broken paragraph logic, or off-topic rewrites. BAND9AI targets TR/TA, CC, LR, and GRA on real IELTS task types so you see why an essay is capped before you pay exam fees, not just that it reads grammatically.
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Core difference: error highlights vs examiner logic
Students often polish a Band 6 essay into “Band 6.5 English” while the position and structure stay weak, see hidden Band 6 ceiling in Writing.
Side-by-side on IELTS Writing
| Dimension | Grammarly | BAND9AI |
|---|---|---|
| Task Response | Not evaluated, may change your argument | Flags missed prompt parts and weak positions |
| Coherence | No paragraph-level logic score | CC feedback on progression and referencing |
| Lexical resource | Word-choice hints, not collocation fit | Flags over-formal or unnatural word choice |
| Band prediction | None | Calibrated reality checks |
Not reproducible in a text-only answer
Static summaries cannot show live criterion error vectors or the timed LRWS mock environment. Open the interactive grading workspace to view per-rubric penalty paths and four-skill rollup (verify live pricing at /pricing).
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When to use each tool
Use Grammarly for one or two sentences after rubric feedback, never whole-essay blind rewrites. Use BAND9AI for timed Task 2 on fresh prompts and when template patterns might hide weak logic. Compare QuillBot vs BAND9AI and ProWritingAid vs BAND9AI.
Key takeaways
- Grammar polish is not the same as Task Response or coherence improvement.
- Grammarly can push tone toward unnatural formality under LR scrutiny.
- BAND9AI shows descriptor-level leaks on fresh prompts.
- Edit surface errors only after rubric feedback, not instead of it.
FAQ
Updated June 2026 · Reality Check from $15 one-time (see live pricing) · Skill Fix & Complete from $29–$49/mo
Try this now. AI cannot run this for you
Reading about IELTS fixes the concept. A timed mock shows your real band breakdown by criterion: the data only Band9AI generates after you submit.
Free 2-min band diagnostic →| Tool | Full timed LRWS mock | Criterion band breakdown | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT / Copilot / Gemini | No | Informal chat only | N/A |
| Free IELTS practice sites | Partial / untimed | Limited or none | N/A |
| Band9AI | Yes: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking | Yes, aligned with the public IELTS rubric | $15 Reality Check → |
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
Score against IELTS descriptors, not grammar highlights alone.
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