How to Achieve Band 8 in IELTS Writing Task 2

Decode the Band 8 criteria first

IELTS writing examiners grade every essay using the public descriptors, so start by analysing what Band 8 requires for Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. A Band 8 response addresses all elements of the question, delivers a clear position from beginning to end, and avoids repetitive ideas.

Read examiner reports to understand common penalties. Most candidates lose marks because their examples never connect back to the thesis or they drift off-topic. Train yourself to ask, ‘Does this sentence directly support my answer?’ before you leave it on the page.

Band 8 scripts also extend ideas. That means each paragraph should move beyond stating a reason; it must explain cause and effect, include a real-world illustration, and link back to the original question, proving that you can sustain an argument logically.

• Underline the exact question keywords and mirror them in your thesis.
• State your position clearly in both introduction and conclusion to show consistency.
• Introduce only one central idea per body paragraph to keep coherence intact.

Map your essay before you write

Allocate the first four minutes to sketching a quick plan. Write the thesis sentence, two paragraph focuses, and specific examples you will mention (real data, personal observation, or expert opinion). This habit prevents mid-paragraph pauses and improves timing because you always know what comes next.

Use the PEEL method—Point, Explanation, Example, Link—for each body paragraph. When the outline lives on your question paper, you can glance down, deliver the explanation, and instantly transition without filler words.

Set micro-deadlines: five minutes for the introduction, two blocks of twelve minutes for the body, and five minutes for the conclusion plus proofreading. Practising with a timer conditions you to maintain control under exam pressure.

Elevate lexical resource strategically

Band 8 essays showcase precise topic vocabulary rather than random ‘advanced’ words. Build lexical sets for common themes—education policy, environmental sustainability, workplace culture—and practise inserting them naturally into sample answers.

Focus on collocations and word families (verb, noun, adjective). For example, ‘to incentivise sustainable commuting’ pairs with ‘government-backed subsidies’ and ‘low-carbon infrastructure’. This signals to examiners that you command contextually accurate phrases.

After every practice essay, highlight repeated words and replace at least two with nuanced alternatives. Keep a vocabulary journal noting the exact sentence you used so you can recycle the same phrasing confidently on test day.

• Prefer precise nouns (tuition fees, carbon levy, parental leave policy) over vague nouns (things, stuff, problems).
• Use hedging and evaluative language (arguably, largely, to a lesser extent) to sound balanced.
• Avoid memorised idioms that feel unnatural—clarity outranks flair for Band 8.

Showcase grammar and cohesion

Band 8 grammar is not about perfectly complex sentences; it is about variety plus accuracy. Mix short emphatic statements with complex clauses that include relative pronouns, conditionals, and participle phrases without losing clarity.

Use cohesive devices intentionally. Instead of scattering ‘moreover’ and ‘however’ through the essay, deploy referencing words (this trend, such measures) and substitution to avoid repetition while guiding the reader.

Proofread the final paragraph aloud in your head. Listening for rhythm helps you spot missing articles, awkward subject-verb agreement, or double comparatives that might otherwise slip through.

Deliver an examiner-friendly conclusion

A high-scoring conclusion is concise yet decisive. Restate the question using paraphrased keywords, summarise the two main ideas, and project one implication or recommendation to signal forward-thinking analysis.

Avoid introducing brand-new arguments or evidence. Instead, emphasise your overall viewpoint and, if appropriate, acknowledge a counterargument briefly to show balance.

Use the remaining seconds to scan for spelling errors, verb tense inconsistencies, or missing articles—Band 8 candidates separate themselves from Band 7 by protecting accuracy until the final minute.