Why You’re Stuck At 6.5 In IELTS Writing & How To Improve

Why you’re stuck at 6.5 in IELTS Writing

Why You’re Stuck at 6.5 in IELTS Writing?

Achieving a 6.5 in the Writing section can feel frustratingly mediocre for many IELTS candidates. It represents progress, yet it falls short of the higher band scores that are essential for academic or professional goals. Despite making noticeable improvements, breaking past this 6.5 barrier often seems out of reach, preventing candidates from attaining the desired score of 7 or higher. This comprehensive article will delve into the most common reasons why you may be stuck at a 6.5 in IELTS Writing and will provide targeted, practical tips to help you push past this plateau and secure the higher score you truly deserve. With the right approach, you can overcome this hurdle and achieve the band score that aligns with your potential and ambitions. 


1. Lack of Task Fulfillment

What commonly hinders a candidate from getting a good score is the failure to adequately respond to the task. This is one of the most critical parts of the IELTS Writing Task 2 assessment. Keep these things in mind. 

  • Read the Prompt Properly: Since reading the question is highly important, make sure to read it carefully so that you understand what you’re being asked. Misunderstanding the task leads to meaningless or inadequate answers-a very critical point that ends your scoring prospects at 6.5.
  • A Good Thesis Statement: Ensure that your introduction contains a clear thesis statement explaining your main argument. This way, you can lead your essay and keep to the topic of your response.
  • Stay Focused: Each of the body paragraphs must lead directly back to the thesis. Every part of the question should be addressed and constructed logically to each aspect and then explained in some detail.
  • Plan Before You Write: Spend the first 5-10 minutes planning your essay to ensure you cover every aspect of the task. Have a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion


2. Limited Vocabulary and Range

To overcome this 6.5 barrier, demonstrating a wide range of vocabulary will be essential. Candidates tend to lose marks because they overuse basic words or the same terms.

  • Learn New Words Expand Your Vocabulary: Read as much as you can. Newspapers, journals, and novels will expose you to new words and contexts.
  • Use synonyms judiciously: It is a good idea to have some rhetorical style by varying your language. Avoid using very uncommon words unnecessarily. 
  • Practice essay writing with new words: This will make the words become part of your normal writing. Example: Instead of using “important” over and over, for example, use other words such as “crucial,” “vital,” or “significant.”
  • Common Errors in Sentences: Don’t use the same words and phrases twice. Use a variety of words to make your writing engaging. Don’t use words you do not know, as improper use creates ambiguity and could lower your score.


3. Lack of Coherence and Cohesion

Another major reason for candidates scoring below 7 is the general incoherence and lack of coherence in the writing. Your essay should be written logically with ideas linking each other on to the next. 

Strategies for Coherence and Cohesion

  • Coordinate Your Thoughts: Logically arrange your ideas in the essay. Make sure paragraphs connect steadily with one another.
  • Use of Cohesive Devices: Words and phrases like “therefore,” “moreover,” or “in contrast” might guide your reader through your essay.
  • Consistent Use of Pronouns: Use pronouns such as “this,” “these,” “it,” and “they” thoughtfully to avoid repetition. Read this example: “The benefits of technology are important. The benefits can enhance education.” Reformulate into: “The benefits of technology are important. These benefits can notably enhance education. 
  • Linking Words: Practice using a few of the linking words which can join your ideas. It is critical to balance in usage as overuse has the result of creating stilted writing.
  • Paragraph Openers: Use a topic sentence that clearly states the idea of its paragraph as every paragraph opener.


4. Poor Development of Ideas

To achieve a high grade, you need to thoroughly develop your ideas supported by solid details. Failing this can be the consequence of undue vagueness or generalness.

  • How to Improve Idea Development: Use particularity over generality. Support your arguments with concrete examples or statistics. Tell ‘Why’ and ‘How’: Don’t just note facts. Explain how the point is relevant to the question and why you support your thesis.
  • Support Claims with Examples: Highlight your points with appropriate examples. It shows you understand the topics, and at the same time, it develops your argument. Example: If you are talking about environmental policies, mention specific strategies like “renewable energy incentives” or “carbon tax implementation” instead of generic terms such as “government efforts.”


5. Poor Grammatical Error Proof

Most common holdup is at 6.5. Your grammar should not only be right, it should be varied. Some General Suggestions on the Mastery of Grammar

  • Reread the grammatical basics: Check if you understand sentence structure and verb tense and subject-verb agreement.
  • Use compound and complex sentence structures organically in your practice. This reflects your ability to use various forms of grammar.
  • Check Your Work: Take a few minutes at the end of the test to make sure you have no grammatical errors. Candidates often commit errors regarding punctuation, articles, and tenses. Be vigilant of these common mistakes and keep your writing free from them.


Why You’re Stuck at 6.5 in IELTS Writing

  • Lack of Variability of Structures of Sentences

Using only simple sentences will keep you from getting a top score. Practice writing compound and complex sentences to ensure a variety of sentence structures.

  • Tone inconsistency

Your writing may be too casual or wordy. For Task 2, use a formal, academic tone appropriate for the task type.

  • Poor transitions

If your paragraphs or ideas don’t connect well together then your essay sounds disjoined. Improve the flow between sentences and paragraphs.

  • Lack of Practice

Lack of regular practice causes one to stagnate. Regular practice will familiarize you with the types of questions and even the time constraints.


Bonus Tips to Enhance Your IELTS Writing Score

  • Read Widely

Reading exposes you to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and so many writing styles. Choose an array of materials, including newspapers, articles, and essays, for the purpose of expanding your vocabulary. 

  • Practice Writing

Practice writing with time constraints similar to that of the IELTS test so that you can appropriately use your time during the test. Build your potential stockpile by giving constructive feedback. 

  • Analyze Some High-Scoring Essays

Review examples of high-scoring essays in order to see what works for them. Identify what they do well with their vocabulary, how they can develop ideas, and how they keep everything coherent.

  • Revise Frequently

Review the previous essays and edit incorporating feedback you have gathered. This will make you grow by building upon what you’ve learned and on your writing over time. Another channel for some really good feedback can be an essay checked over by a native speaker or experienced tutor. Areas needing attention might highlight things that would not have come to the surface otherwise.

  • Mistakes Are Made to Be Learned

Do not be discouraged by mistakes. Mark them down and learn from them, whether grammatical errors, wrong use of vocabulary, or even structural problems.

Conclusion

It is tough to break free from the 6.5 band in IELTS Writing, but targeted efforts make it possible. So, understand what you have to do, practice a varied vocabulary, maintain coherence, present clarity to your ideas, and master grammatical accuracy. Regular practice, professional feedback, and a growth mindset help you. Whatever is practiced with dedication and consistency will come through in the end.

Tiju’s Academy offers online and offline IELTS coaching in Kerala with expert guidance and personalized support to help you succeed. Start your journey with Tiju’s and move closer to your dreams.

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Tiju's Academy

We provide friendly, professionally qualified and experienced trainers who help you to achieve your desired score. We also offer flexible and convenient timings which allow you to study even in your busy schedule. Listening and reading sessions are taken unlimitedly by specially trained tutors; therefore, they explain tips and strategies in each session which help to acquire your required score.

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