Score plateau

A Band 6.0-6.5 plateau is usually not solved by writing more essays blindly.

At this level your essays usually answer the question and read clearly, but one area still goes up and down. Find out which one.

In short: find the one problem that costs you most, and fix only that in your next essay.

Many comments: which comes first?

Grammar, word choice and linking all got comments; pick one to fix first in the next essay.

On topic, but thin reasons

The point fits the question; the reason needs one more step: why it holds and for whom.

Clear meaning, uneven sentences

You try longer sentences, linking words and harder words; accuracy still varies.

Why you keep landing on 6.5

Examiners look at four areas: answering the question, how paragraphs move, word choice and grammar. When the score stalls, one of them is usually holding it back.

Note the problem, too

If you only note the score, the next essay repeats the old problem. Add one line: thin reasons, a shifting position, stiff linking, or many sentence errors.

Find the area that costs most
Circle the sentences that show it
Fix only that area next time

What to fix once you know

Stay with this essay. Turn the problem into one small task: rewrite one paragraph of reasons, re-pick the overview points for Task 1, fix one link, or correct one set of sentences.

FAQ

Will writing more essays get me past 6.5?

It helps. A faster route is to find the area that costs you most and fix only that in the next essay.

How do I know which area costs most?

Look at feedback on your last two or three essays. Start with the problem that keeps coming back, and circle the sentences that show it.

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