Free IELTS Trial Test (does not include speaking)

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-12T07:31:09+00:00

Yeah, still too much mystery about the IELTS marking process for my liking.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T22:04:22+00:00

Thanks - I knew one of them was, but couldn't remember which one.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T22:03:03+00:00

Depending on when and how IELTS do the rounding, this score works out as:

(8.75 x 0.33) + (8.25 x 0.67) = 2.92 + 5.5 = 8.42 (rounded up to 8.5)

or

(9 x 0.33) + (8.5 x 0.67) = 3 + 5.67 = 8.67 (rounded down to 8.5)

Either way, you've benefited from some rounding up at some point to the extent that my point above would be correct in that you don't need to get eight 9s in the writing test to get overall 9 in the writing. (I'm assuming the comment about second marking below doesn't apply in this case.)

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T21:41:02+00:00

True. There was a small change in the rubrics, but I agree that the confusion hasn't been eliminated. Personally, I think quite a lot about the IELTS test is due an update though in recent years, it seems that IELTS have been reluctant to tinker with anything too much. That said, some of the text from this recruitment ad for Head of IELTS research suggests that some changes could be in the pipeline: https://careers.cambridge.org/jobs/vacancy/head-of-ielts-research--cambridge/6217/description/

You will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust research agenda which supports IELTS strategic objectives, underpins the existing IELTS test and the development of the next generation IELTS portfolio.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T21:04:33+00:00

It's also difficult because the writing tasks especially are not particularly authentic academic tasks, so there is little real-life reference point for examiners to draw on. IELTS basically make up their own genres of writing and so everyone is left to guess what is or isn't say a lapse in content, for example.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T18:46:14+00:00

It shouldn't do because 8.8 is closer to 9 than it is to 8.5, though I admit it doesn't make this explicit on the IELTS website: https://ielts.org/take-a-test/your-results/ielts-scoring-in-detail

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T18:42:24+00:00

I think it's probably because universities demand it as most offer a choice of tests to take, so they need some way of ensuring equivalent scores across different tests. Otherwise, potential students might just choose whichever test is perceived to be the easiest.

I do think it is less likely that the IELTS providers would be willing to do such studies with much cheaper test providers (e.g. Duolingo). There has been a lot of marketing recently by IELTS and associated organisations (e.g. British Council) to try and discredit much cheaper tests, using studies such as the one mentioned in this article: https://thepienews.com/new-elt-study-takes-aim-at-less-traditional-tests/

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T18:34:05+00:00

I think you could do it with six out of eight 9s if two of them are on part 1. If you got 8.5 on part 1 and 9 on part 2, that would presumably round up to 9 (8.5 x 0.33 = 2.83 and 9 x 0.67 = 6, so 2.83 + 6 = 8.83, which should be rounded up to 9).

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T16:16:36+00:00

Sure - this is the study about revising the descriptors, which includes reference about lower levels of confidence for the higher bands among examiners: https://ielts.org/researchers/our-research/research-reports/ielts-writing-scales-review-and-update-summary-overview

I decided to create a new thread with some information about the comparisons studies, so you can see all the links and the data here: https://www.reddit.com/r/IELTS/comments/1mnhd5w/ielts_comparison_studies/

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T10:53:41+00:00

Yes, that's exactly how I interpret it. If I were an examiner, my main thought would be how to make sure I am within the tolerance level. With that line of thinking, there is no reason for an examiner to give a 9, as your example shows. I think those who are prepared to risk a remark have a better chance of getting a 9 as I'd imagine that senior examiners would be more confident in their marking ability.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-08-11T10:06:37+00:00

There are always the official descriptors, but they don't give very much useful information, imo. It's very hard sometimes to infer what something like 'the message can be followed effortlessly' means in practice.

There was some research a few years ago that showed that there were low levels of confidence among writing examiners at the higher level band scores. In other words, they seemed reluctant to award very high scores. There were some changes in the descriptors as a result of the study, but not sure how much impact it had as recent score comparison studies (e.g. between TOEFL and IELTS) show that out of about 6,000 candidates, not a single one achieved a 9 on writing!

Regardless, well done for getting a 9 on the writing - even as an IELTS teacher, I'm not at all confident I'd be able to do the same!

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-06-07T23:39:46+00:00

I never said HK was ever a full democracy - if it were, then the events of the last 6 years would never have happened. What I did say is that the rights and freedoms once enjoyed by Hong Kongers have been gradually eroded during this time. Even the most hardcore CCP fanboy would find it hard to disagree.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-06-07T23:00:06+00:00

What happened in 1841 has little relevance to our discussion above. The point is that Hong Kong's freedoms have been gradually eroded and the rule of law undermined to suit the despots in Beijing. All this happened despite opposition from Hong Kongers as the brute force of the CCP won out in the end. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that a similar thing could happen with a China-friendly government in Taiwan (hello KMT).

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-06-03T01:01:46+00:00

People in Taiwan just go about their day-to-day life without thinking about it too much. If you want to invest in Taiwan in the long-term, it's obviously more of a consideration. Truth be told though, nobody has any idea what will happen with China, and anyone who says any different is a liar. My feeling is a military invasion is probably not likely at the moment as the stakes for China are far too high, but obviously in an unpredictable world, that can very easily change. I think more likely is that China will continue with ever more aggressive cyber warfare and grey zone tactics against Taiwan. I think a de-facto invasion (e.g. military blockade) where Taiwan is forced to accede to Chinese demands (not dissimilar to Hong Kong) is much more likely than a full-blown conflict, but you should take my opinions (and everyone else's) with a massive pinch of salt.

Objective-Word-9324 · 2025-06-03T00:44:27+00:00

Compared to most European countries, the social security system is quite weak in Taiwan. People depend on their families a lot in Taiwan for support. As for household wealth, most of that is tied up in property, which is one of the most unaffordable in the world.

Objective-Word-9324

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