Job Discussion Forums

[bearcanada]

I need some information on the marking standards of the IELTS writing tests, specifically on reaching a band 7.

If anyone has had experience marking these tests, please would you pm me.

Thanks

[ColinA]

[bearcanada]

Thanks for the tip. Actually, my student is a physician who needs a Band 7 to qualify for professional practice in Western countries, and what I would really like is to send a few sample essays from this student to someone who has actually marked these exams, so that I can have a more firm idea of the current level of achievement.

However, I will do as you have suggested and look for the books.

Thanks again.

[Joe C.]

Band descriptors for the IELTS Writing Module I are broken down into three categories each of equal weight. They are: Task Fulfillment, Coherence & Cohesion and Vocabuary & Sentence Structure. Each category receives a numerical score and the sum of the three is averaged and rounded to determine a Task I score.

Task II is similar except for the three categories are: Arguments, Ideas & Evidence, Communicative Quality and Vocabulary & Sentence Structure.

Once you have the scores for each task, Task I receives a weight of 1/3 and Task II a weight of 2/3.

In V&SS for both Task I & II, one key factor is whether or not any errors are intrusive. If intrusive, the writing would not generally qualify for a 7.

CQ for Task II and CC for Task I generally relates to communicative fluency. Other than occasional lapses of QC would mean the writing does not reach the standard for a 7. To reach a 7 for CC purposes, writing needs to be arranged coherently with cohesion well managed.

Regarding Task I TF, writing must be accurate, appropriate and relevant and developed, though perhaps not fully developed. It is crucial for the candidate to read the task description and do exactly as instructed. AIE for Task II deals with point of view and a clear, logical progression. Basically, the point of view must be generally clear.

[Songbird]

I can go one better:

TASK 1-

TASK ACHIEVEMENT: fully satisfies all the requirements of the task
COHERENCE & COHESION: clearly presents a fully developed
response
-skilfully manages paragraphing
LEXICAL RESOURCE: uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
-uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as �slips�
GRAMMATICAL RANGE & ACCURACY: uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as �slips�

TASK 2-
TASK ACHIEVEMENT: fully addresses all parts of the task
-presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas
COHERENCE & COHESION: uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention
-skilfully manages paragraphing
LEXICAL RESOURCE: uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur
only as �slips�
GRAMMATICAL RANGE & ACCURACY: uses a wide range of structures with
full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as �slips�

Hope these help, good luck to your student!

[kurious]

Would you happen to know the descriptor breakdown for Writing Band 6 as well.

Please help!

Kurious

[DaXiangLouis]

The IELTS website has a full run-down of the band descriptors for both speaking and writing. The public version available on the site doesn't have as much detail as the full examiners' version, but there's enough there for you to get the gist.

Here are the links...

Writing Task 1:
http://www.ielts.org/_lib/pdf/UOBDs_WritingT1.pdf

Writing Task 2:
http://www.ielts.org/_lib/pdf/UOBDs_WritingT2.pdf

Speaking:
http://www.ielts.org/_lib/pdf/UOBDs_SpeakingFinal.pdf

Have fun.

[kurious]

Yes, I'm aware of all the IELTS websites, but I'm not interested in the general descriptors.

I'm teaching an IELTS exma prep course and I'd like to the specifics so as to better grade my students papers.

So SONGBIRD, if you're out there, could you help out?

Band 6 writing and speaking descriptors if you have them

Kurious

[DaXiangLouis]

Well, I don't quite know what to say to that. The descriptors I gave you links to in an attempt to be helpful are the only public ones. Any other descriptors you may see are either surmised or a breach of IELTS security.

In fact, if you had taken a little time to read the links I posted, you would have noticed that:

a) They are broken down into the four areas, not general descriptors.

b) Songbird quoted directly from them. But not from Band 7, unfortunately.

[kurious]

My sincere apologies Louis ... I am indeed guilty of not having looked at your links prior to my Songbird plea.

I just assumed that IELTS was still the highly paranoid and secretive organization I knew and loved from my old examining days. I must say how pleasantly surprised I am to learn that the examining Gods have finally agreed to share with their stakeholders more detailed criteria against which they are being banded.

Many thanks, and again, so sorry for being an infoskeptic!

Kurious

[DaXiangLouis]

No hard feelings, kurious. I can assure you that IELTS China is still just as paranoid as ever (if paranoid is the right term - after all, they actually are out to get them...)

The pdfs I posted links to were released in an effort to improve fairness to the candidates and other stakeholders in the manner you suggested. They were also released in an attempt to encourage some positive backwash in prep centres (if such a thing is possible for an exam course in China). Unfortunately, they are practically impossible to find on the website, especially if you don't already know they're there.

[Songbird]

Kurious, the websites that DaXiang provided ARE exactly what I posted earlier! I am in no way affiliated with IELTS (yet) but am simply trying to use some of them as criteria for both my speaking & writing courses myself. I'm sure there must be a clause in examiners contracts not to reveal everything anyway, hence the public versions available