What does grammatical range and accuracy band 7 mean?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of the four criteria in each IELTS writing task. It has two halves, and band 7 asks for both at once: range (a variety of complex structures) and accuracy (frequent error-free sentences). Most learners chase one half and lose the other.
Grammar at bands 6, 7 and 8 in plain English
| Band | Range | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | A mix of simple and complex sentences, with limited flexibility | Complex sentences less accurate than simple ones; errors rarely impede meaning |
| 7 | A variety of complex structures, with some flexibility | Generally well controlled; error-free sentences are frequent; a few errors persist |
| 8 | A wide range, used flexibly and accurately | Most sentences error-free; occasional, non-systematic errors |
Paraphrased from the Task 2 Grammatical Range and Accuracy descriptors, PDF pages 7–8.
Read the band 6 line again. A writer whose complex sentences are less accurate than their simple ones is described at band 6, however many complex sentences they write. Ambition alone does not lift this score. Controlled complexity (BandLadder's term) means using only the complex structures you can write correctly every time, and varying which ones you use.
Out of control: Communal bread ovens, which savingverb form fuel for families who they bake every weekextra pronoun, it bringsdouble subject neighbours together. Controlled: Communal bread ovens, which save fuel for whole streetsrelative clause, bring neighbours together because several households share one firereason clause.
- → Both sentences attempt two complex structures. Only the second is error-free, and error-free sentences are what band 7 counts as frequent.
Premium sheet · 4 more sections
- What counts as a complex structure in IELTS writing?
- What do frequent error-free sentences mean?
- How to improve grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS writing
- Your turn: band 7 grammar check
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Questions
FAQ
What is grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS?+
It is the grammar criterion in IELTS Writing and Speaking. In Writing it is one of four criteria for each task and covers the range of sentence structures, their accuracy, how dense your errors are, and punctuation.
How many grammar mistakes are allowed in IELTS writing for band 7?+
There is no official number. Band 7 needs error-free sentences to be frequent, and the few errors that remain must not impede communication. A few varied slips are less damaging than the same error in every paragraph.
What are complex structures in IELTS writing?+
Sentences with a main clause plus a dependent clause or phrase, such as reason and contrast clauses, relative clauses, conditionals, noun clauses, participle clauses and passives. Variety means using several of these families, correctly.
What is the difference between band 6 and band 7 grammar in IELTS?+
At band 6, complex sentences are less accurate than simple ones and flexibility is limited. At band 7, a variety of complex structures is used with some flexibility and accuracy, and error-free sentences are frequent.
How can I improve grammatical range and accuracy in IELTS writing?+
Choose four structure families you can write correctly, use one dependent clause per sentence, mix in short simple sentences, check every clause join, and find and fix the one error type you repeat.
Is grammatical range and accuracy the same in Task 1 and Task 2?+
Yes, the band 7 wording is the same for both tasks. In Task 1, comparisons, passives for processes and reason clauses are natural places for complex structures.
Sources
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, Task 2, Grammatical Range and Accuracy (ielts.org, updated May 2023): PDF page 7 (bands 7–9); PDF page 8 (bands 5–6)
- IELTS Writing Band Descriptors, Task 1, Grammatical Range and Accuracy (ielts.org, updated May 2023): PDF page 3 (band 7 wording, identical to Task 2)
- IELTS Writing key assessment criteria (ielts.org): Page 4, Grammatical Range and Accuracy: https://ielts.org/cdn/ielts-downloadable-assets/ielts-guidance-and-support/ielts-guides/ielts-writing-key-assessment-criteria.pdf
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