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The most accurate online IELTS Writing assessment.
Marked by a human. Grounded in the real descriptors.
Don't rely on AI to tell you your band. The real test isn't marked by a machine — so why trust one now? Submit an essay you've already written, or write a fresh one here under timed conditions. Either way, you get a six-section diagnostic report showing exactly where you are, why you're there, and the three things to fix this week to lift your band.
- ✓ Trained in the official descriptors
- ✓ Feedback in 48 hours
- ✓ Annotated essay + Band 8 model
- ✓ Money-back guarantee
What you get back
Six sections. Eight pages. Every one written for you.
Not a number. Not a generic suggestion. A full diagnostic report explaining exactly where you are, why, and what to do next.
Firstly, the bamboo is plant in spring. Then in autumn, farmers harvest the bamboo. After that, the bamboo is cutted into strips by using a saw. Next, the strips are crush to make a liquid pulp.
After that, the pulp is filter to separate…
The diagram illustrates the nine-stage industrial process by which raw bamboo is converted into woven fabric for clothing.
Overall, the process is linear, beginning with the cultivation of bamboo plants and ending with finished textile products…
Pricing
Two ways to get marked.
Most candidates need three or four submissions of practice between attempts. The 5-pack covers a full prep cycle — and saves you £21.
- Full six-section diagnostic report
- Annotated essay with inline corrections
- Band 8 model rewrite
- Feedback in 48 hours
- Money-back guarantee on turnaround
- Five full diagnostic reports
- Use them across two to six weeks
- Track your progress between attempts
- Each essay marked in 48 hours
- Money-back guarantee on turnaround
You'll receive a code by email. Apply it at checkout each time you submit an essay.
Need a faster turnaround? Express tier coming soon.
Already have a 5-pack code? Redeem an essay →
Why human, not AI?
On test day, your script is rated by a trained human against the official band descriptors. AI tools guess at a number from surface features — sentence length, vocabulary, grammar patterns — and almost always get it wrong. We mark the way the real test is marked. Same descriptors. Same standard. And we explain why.
What this report does differently
Three things that separate a real diagnostic from a band-score guess.
It tells you the why, not just the number
AI tools and budget marking services give you a band and a vague suggestion. This report names the specific thing keeping you below your target — for example, a missing overview that's costing you a full half-band on Task Achievement, regardless of how good your grammar is.
It's honest, even when honest is uncomfortable
AI tools are tuned to tell you you're better than you are. The real test isn't. If your essay is sitting at 5.5, the report will say so — and then explain exactly what to fix to lift it. No flattery, no inflation, no surprises on test day.
It shows you what "Band 8" looks like for your topic
Most resources show generic Band 8 examples that don't match your prompt. This report includes a Band 8 model rewrite of your own essay — same task, same data, written at the level you're aiming for. Plus four annotated features showing exactly what makes it Band 8.
Not ready to be marked yet? Try a free Task 1 lesson · Grammar practice
Already bought a 5-pack? Redeem an essay →
Get your IELTS Writing marked
Two ways to start, depending on whether you've already written an essay.
Either way, you get the same diagnostic report — six sections, written by a real human, in 48 hours.
Which test are you preparing for?
This determines what kind of Task 1 you'll see.
Task 1 or Task 2?
—
Choose a task to write
Pick a practice task. Write under timed conditions, then submit your essay to be marked against the official band descriptors.
How it works: Pick a task. Write your answer in the timed test screen. Review your work. Submit for human marking — £24, full diagnostic report in 48 hours.
Writing Task 1
Writing Task 2
Not sure how to write Task 1? Take the free training first →
What's in your report
Generic feedback won't get you to Band 7. Your report names the specific weakness holding your score down — and the three concrete things to do about it.
1. Where you are now
An honest band score for each of the four IELTS Writing criteria — Task Achievement (or Task Response for Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy — with a one-paragraph explanation of why you received that score. Specific. Not "adequate response" — the actual reason.
2. Why you didn't get higher
The single biggest gap in your writing, named clearly with examples from your own essay. Most candidates lose marks for one or two specific reasons — not ten. We tell you which ones, so you stop wasting time fixing the wrong things.
3. Your path to the next band
A short, finite list of what to study and practise next. Three concrete things you can do this week — not a generic study plan you'll abandon by Tuesday.
4. A Band 8 model rewrite of your essay
Your own ideas, rewritten at Band 8 level. Compare your version side-by-side with a model answer that uses your content — so you see exactly what stronger writing looks like for the topic you wrote about.
Feedback language
Reports are written in English by default. You can also request feedback in Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) or Chinese — Simplified (简体中文) or Traditional (繁體中文) — at no extra cost. Choose your language when you submit.
Our guarantee
You will receive your detailed report within the promised turnaround, or your money back. If the report doesn't give you a clear picture of your score and what to improve, write to us — we'll either rework it or refund you.
Task 1 — Choose a task type
Pick the type of diagram you want to practise. We are adding more types soon.
How it works: You will see a task and a diagram, just like the real IELTS test. Write your answer, then use the self-check tools to review it. If you want a professional score with full feedback, you can submit it for expert review.
Not sure how to write Task 1? Take the free training first →
Task 2 — Choose a prompt
Pick the type of essay you want to practise.
How it works: You will see a question, just like the real IELTS test. Write your essay, then review it with the self-check tools. If you want a professional score with full feedback, you can submit it for expert review.
Practice Test
Write your answer below.
Review your answer
Read through your essay. Use the checklist to self-assess, then decide if you want professional feedback.
Your answer — you can still edit
Quick self-check
Tick what you think you did well. Continue editing your essay above if you need to.
Don't take the test again until a real human has read your writing.
You've just finished an essay under exam conditions. Now find out exactly where you stand — and what to fix before it counts.
Choose how to submit
Every report includes:
✓ Band score for each of the four IELTS criteria
✓ Why you didn't get higher — your single biggest gap
✓ Three concrete things to study next
✓ A Band 8 model rewrite of your essay
✓ Money-back guarantee on turnaround · ✓ Feedback in English, Vietnamese or Chinese
Want to improve before submitting? Take the free writing training →
Submit an essay you wrote at home
Paste your prompt and your essay below. We'll mark it against the official band descriptors and send you a full diagnostic report in 48 hours.
1. What kind of task is it?
2. Your prompt
Paste the question you wrote for. If it had a chart or diagram, describe it briefly (or you can email it to us after submitting).
3. Your essay
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Your essay
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What happens next?
Your essay will be read and marked against the four official IELTS Writing criteria. You'll receive a six-section diagnostic report covering your estimated band for each criterion, an annotated copy of your essay, the single biggest gap holding your score down, three concrete things to study next, a Band 8 model rewrite, and a 14-day study plan.
Watch your inbox (and your spam folder, just in case). If you don't receive your report within the promised turnaround, write to hello@ieltspt.com and we'll either rework or refund.
While you wait, why not take the free training? Start a lesson →
Writing
Choose which part of the Writing test you want to work on.
New to IELTS?
A short introduction to what IELTS is and how it is marked. A full intro video is coming soon.
What gets marked?
Examiners give you a score from 1 to 9 on four things:
Task Achievement — Did you cover the main points?
Coherence and Cohesion — Is your writing easy to follow?
Lexical Resource — Did you use a good range of words?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Is your grammar accurate?
You can view the Writing Band Descriptors here takeielts.britishcouncil.org.
Different types of Writing Task 1
You will see one of these in the test. Each one needs slightly different language.
• Line graph — shows change over time
• Bar chart — compares different things
• Pie chart — shows parts of a whole
• Table — shows numbers in rows and columns
• Map — shows a place and how it changed
• Process diagram — shows the steps of how something is made or works
An introduction to Task 1
Read this short introduction to IELTS Task 1.
What is IELTS Task 1?
Task 1 involves writing a short description of what you see in either a chart, graph, map or diagram.
What does an examiner look for?
An examiner will analyse:
1. How well you describe the diagram or chart
2. How well you structure the answer
3. How accurate your vocabulary and grammar is
How can I get a high score?
You need to practise two important skills.
Skill 1: Find and clearly highlight the most important information. In IELTS this information is called key features.
What are key features? They are the most noticeable features of the diagram. For example: the trends, the similarities, the differences, the changes and the categories.
The difference between Band 5 and Band 7 is not really about better grammar or complex words. It is about how clearly you describe the key features. We will practise this for every task type.
Skill 2: Include a clear overview.
What is an overview? This is a short paragraph (2 to 3 sentences) that summarises the most important things (the key features) in the diagram — usually without any numbers or small details.
Someone who has not seen the diagram could read your overview and know what the diagram shows.
This is very important: If you do not write an overview, the highest score you can get for Task Achievement is Band 5.
Now let's practise these skills with each task type.
Writing Task 1
Step-by-step training to learn how to describe charts, graphs, maps and diagrams.
Then choose a task type
Process diagrams
Some feel this is a harder Task type. But you have nothing to fear.
What is a process diagram?
A process diagram shows the steps of how something is made or how something works. For example, how plastic bottles are recycled, how chocolate is made, or how rain forms in clouds.
It can have many steps. Sometimes it goes in a straight line. Sometimes it goes in a circle. Sometimes it splits in two directions.
How are these different from other task types?
Process diagrams are different from other diagrams in three key ways:
1. There are usually no numbers. A line graph or a bar chart gives you numbers to compare. A process diagram does not. You have to find the important information yourself.
2. You often need the passive voice. Sentences like "the bottles are washed" or "the beans are dried".
3. You have to pay close attention to the bigger picture. It is not enough to list the steps. You have to notice what is special about the whole process.
What you will learn here
By the end of this section you will:
• Review why the key features matter so much
• Learn how to find them in any process diagram
• Learn how to highlight them in your writing — this is important
• Compare real answers at different band levels (Band 4, 5, 6 and 7/8)
• Practise writing your own task with a checklist to guide you
It will take about 20–30 minutes. But no rush. This is the lesson that will change how you write Task 1.
Why key features matter
Learn what the official Band Descriptors say about key features.
From the introduction: your Task 1 score depends on whether you find the key features and make them clear. Remember you need both skills — finding and highlighting. Re-read the intro if you'd like a refresher.
What the Band Descriptors say
Here is what the official Band Descriptors say (in simple words). Notice the pattern.
You can read the full official band descriptors on takeielts.britishcouncil.org/.
Did you notice the pattern?
The same word keeps coming up: highlighted. The difference between Band 5 and Band 7 is not always about better grammar or harder words. It is about how clearly you write about the important things. You will learn more about this in the next few pages.
Your task
Look at the diagram below carefully. On the next page we will start finding the key features together.
The diagram below shows the process of recycling plastic bottles. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Notice how the steps in the process are grouped into stages. Notice the red arrow at the bottom which shows that the new bottles go back to the start of the process.
Find the key features
Answer the questions below by looking at the diagram. These are the same questions you would need to consider before you start writing.
Answer each question by looking at the diagram. We will check the answers together on the next page.
You found the key features
Here are the answers to your six questions. These are the key features of this process diagram.
The key features of this diagram
So now you know there are five things to talk about in your answer:
1. The process includes seven steps
2. It is divided into three stages (gathering, transforming, making new)
3. The process is a cycle (new bottles return to the start)
4. The process splits in two directions at the end (some products go to other uses)
5. When describing a process we often use the passive voice
But wait — finding the key features is not enough. Now you need to learn another important skill of all: how to highlight these features in your writing so that they are clear. That is what the next page is about.
An important skill
This is the difference between Band 5 and Band 7. Read this page carefully
The problem
Imagine two IELTS students. Both find the same key feature — they both notice that the process repeats.
Student A writes: "The bottles are recycled and made into new things."
Student B writes: "The new bottles re-enter the process at the start, so the cycle repeats."
Both students saw the cycle. But only one of them made the examiner see it. That is the difference.
The rule
Finding a key feature is only half the work. You also have to write it in a way that shines a light on it. We call this highlighting.
Two answers, same diagram
Below are two short paragraphs describing the recycling diagram. But one only mentions the key features and the other highlights them. Read both carefully.
"The diagram shows how plastic bottles are recycled. There are seven steps. The bottles are collected, taken to a factory, sorted, washed, cut, and melted into pellets. The pellets are used to make new bottles and other things. The new bottles are used again."
"The diagram shows the seven-step process of recycling plastic bottles, which can be divided into three stages: gathering, transforming, and making new products. Most importantly, the new bottles produced at the end re-enter the process at the start, so the cycle repeats. The recycled material also splits into two branches at the end. While most of it becomes new bottles, the rest is used for products such as clothing and furniture."
Three highlighting techniques
Look again at the stronger paragraph. It uses three helpful techniques:
1. Names the key features clearly. Use words like "cycle", "stages", "the process splits into two branches".
2. Uses specific verbs. "produced", "re-enters the process", "splits into" — not "is done", "happens", "made into".
3. Uses simple linking words. "Most importantly", "while", "the rest", "in contrast", "as a result". This helps to show the order without it sounding like a boring list.
Remember these techniques. You can practice them when you write your own answer later. They are the difference between identifying a feature and highlighting it. They are the difference between Band 5 and Band 7.
The passive voice
Now you can find the key features. The next skill is a small one — but it makes a big difference. Process diagrams use the passive voice.
What is the passive voice?
The passive voice describes what happens to something, not who does it. In a process diagram, we usually do not know who does each step — and it does not matter. The bottles get washed; who washes them is not the point.
Active: "Workers collect the bottles."
Passive: "The bottles are collected."
The pattern is simple. Take the thing the action happens to, and put it at the start. Then add "is" or "are" + the past form of the verb (collected, washed, cut, heated, used).
Your turn — rewrite each sentence in the passive voice
Type your answer in the box. We'll check it as you type.
Why this matters. Every body paragraph in your final answer should use the passive voice. If you write "they do this, then they do that", you are not describing the process — you are describing imaginary people. Examiners notice this immediately, and it limits the score you can get.
Writing an overview for a process diagram
You know what an overview is from the introduction. Now let's see what a clear one looks like for a process diagram.
Reminder from the introduction: an overview is a short paragraph (2 to 3 sentences) that summarises the main information with no numbers or small details. Without one, the highest Task Achievement score you can get is Band 5. Re-read the introduction if you need to.
Write a clear overview
Here is what a clear overview for the recycling diagram looks like.
Overall, the diagram shows that plastic bottle recycling is a cycle made up of three main stages: gathering, transforming, and making new products. The new bottles produced at the end re-enter the process at the beginning, so the cycle repeats. The recycled material also splits in two directions at the end — while most of it becomes new bottles, the rest is used for products such as clothing and furniture.
Why this overview is clear
✓ It starts with "Overall" — which clearly signals to the reader that this is the overview
✓ It names the cycle clearly (uses the word "cycle" twice)
✓ It names the split ("splits in two directions at the end... while... the rest...")
✓ It names the three stages (gathering, transforming, making new)
✓ It has no numbers and no small details
✓ It uses the passive voice ("is used", "are produced")
A reader who hasn't seen the diagram would know what it depicts.
Process diagram overviews
For a process diagram specifically, a clear overview answers two questions:
1. What is the process? "Overall, the diagram shows that Plastic bottle recycling..."
2. What are the most important key features? "three main stages: gathering, transforming, and making new products...new bottles produced at the end re-enter the process at the beginning...recycled material also splits in two directions at the end"
No numbers. No small details. No specific stage names like "washing" or "sorting" — those go in the body paragraphs.
Now you spot the strong one
Three students wrote an overview for the recycling diagram. You've just seen what a strong one looks like. Now use what you learned — pick the strongest of the three.
Not quite. Overview A is too weak.
It only counts the stages and names the first and last one. It does not tell the reader the big story — that the process is a cycle, that it splits, or that there are three clear phases. An examiner reading this would not understand what makes the diagram interesting.
Yes — Overview B is the strongest.
It does everything we covered on the last screen:
- Starts with "Overall"
- Names the cycle ("re-enter the process… so the cycle repeats")
- Names the three stages (gathering, transforming, making new)
- Names the split ("splits at the end")
- No small details, no numbers, no opinions
A reader who could not see the diagram would still understand the main story.
Not quite. Overview C is the weakest of the three.
It does two things you must never do in Task 1:
- Gives the student's opinion ("very important", "we should all do more")
- Does not describe the diagram at all — no cycle, no stages, no split
Task 1 is description, not opinion. Save your opinions for Task 2.
A Band 4 answer
Now you know what to look for, read this Band 4 answer for the recycling diagram. What is wrong with it?
The diagram is showing about plastic bottles recycle. There are seven steps in this process. First the bottles are go to bin and after that take to factory. Then they wash the bottle and cut. After they make pellet. Then they make new bottles or other thing.
I think recycle is very good for environment because we can use plastic many time and it is not waste. Many country should do recycle more.
What is wrong with this answer?
Tick all the problems you can find.
Remember: This is Band 4 because it is missing an overview, significant key features, and it includes personal opinion.
A Band 5 answer
This answer is better than Band 4. But it is still missing some important things. What is better, and what is still wrong?
The diagram shows the process of how plastic bottles are recycled. The process has seven stages from collection to making new products.
First, the used plastic bottles are collected by people in bins. After that, the bottles are taken to a recycling factory. When they arrive at the factory, the bottles are sorted by their colour. This is important because different colours cannot be mixed.
Next, the bottles are washed and the labels are removed. Then they are cut into small pieces called flakes. After this, the flakes are heated and they become small pellets. Finally, the pellets are used to make new bottles and also other things like clothes and furniture.
What is better than Band 4?
Tick the things that improved.
What is still wrong?
This is the important part. Tick the things that are still missing or weak.
Remember: Band 5 answers describe the diagram correctly but miss the bigger picture. For example, the student found the steps but did not highlight the stages, the cycle, or the split. And there is no overview. To go from Band 5 to Band 6, the student needs to add an overview.
A Band 6 answer
Does this answer have an overview? Are the key features clearly highlighted?
The diagram shows the process of how plastic bottles are recycled. The process has seven main stages, starting from collection and ending with new products being made.
Overall, the diagram shows that plastic bottles are recycled in seven steps and the new bottles can be used again. Some of the recycled plastic is also used for other products like clothes and furniture.
First, the used plastic bottles are collected from people's homes and put into bins. After that, they are taken to a recycling factory by truck. When they arrive, the bottles are sorted into different colours, because different colours cannot be mixed together.
Next, the bottles are washed and cleaned, and the labels are removed. Then they are cut into very small pieces called flakes. The flakes are then heated until they melt and become small pellets. Finally, the pellets are used to make new bottles, which are sent back to consumers, and they are also used to make other products such as clothes and furniture.
What is better than Band 5?
Tick the things that improved.
What is still weak?
This is where the lessons from earlier really matter. Tick what you notice.
Remember: A Band 6 answer includes an overview, key features are mentioned, and is reasonably well-structured. But it does not highlight the key features clearly. Everything is there, but nothing stands out.
A Band 7/8 answer
This is a much better answer. Notice the techniques it uses.
The diagram illustrates the seven-stage process used to recycle plastic bottles, which can be divided into three main stages: gathering, transforming, and producing new items.
Overall, the most important feature of this process is that it forms a cycle — the new bottles produced at the end re-enter the process at the start, so the cycle repeats. In addition, the recycled material splits in two directions at the end: while most of it is used to make new bottles, the rest is used for products such as clothing and furniture.
In the first stage, used plastic bottles are collected in bins and then transported to a recycling plant, where they are sorted by colour to prevent contamination. The bottles then enter the transforming stage, where they are washed, cut into small flakes, and heated until they melt into plastic pellets — the raw material for new products.
In the final stage, these pellets are manufactured into new items. As mentioned, most are used to create new bottles which return to consumers and re-enter the cycle, while the remainder is used for alternative products such as clothing and furniture, ending the cycle in a different way.
Why is this answer strong?
Tick each technique you can see in the answer.
The big picture — Band 4 to Band 7/8
You have now seen four answers to the same diagram. Remember why the band score increased:
Band 4 → 5: Added structure. Used the passive voice. Stopped giving opinions.
Band 5 → 6: Added an overview. Mentioned the key features.
Band 6 → 7/8: Highlighted the key features properly. Named them. Use linking words effectively. Grouped the steps into stages. Included a clear overview.
Moving from Band 6 to Band 7 is mostly about including a clear overview and highlighting the key features clearly.
Now it's your turn. On the next page, you will choose a new process diagram and write your own answer using everything you have learned.
Choose your task
Pick one of the two process diagrams below. You will write your own answer with a 20-minute timer on the next page.
Option 1: How chocolate is made
A process that splits in two directions at the end — the cocoa beans become more than one product.
Option 2: How a hydroelectric dam works
A process with a cycle — water never runs out because it returns to the reservoir. Watch out for the loop.
Your timed test
Now you write your own answer. You have 20 minutes to write at least 150 words. This is the same as the real IELTS test.
Click "Start the timer" when you are ready. Once you start, the clock will count down from 20 minutes. Write as much as you can. You can finish early if you want.
Before you submit — check your answer
Read your answer one more time. Then tick each box below. You can only submit when all six boxes are ticked.
Your answer
The checklist
If you cannot tick a box, go back and fix your answer first.
Well done!
You finished the process diagram training. Here is your answer and what you can do next.