In this tutorial, we discuss grammatical accuracy in the IELTS Exam and why it is important with ex-examiner, Robert.

We look at:

Why grammatical accuracy is so important in IELTS

How grammatical accuracy is scored in IELTS

How your first language can affect your grammatical errors

Tips to improve your grammar for IELTS

IELTS is interesting because it’s not a “pass-fail” type of test. There is no absolute pass or fail grade but above all the idea of achievement, of reaching a standard and being accepted by others for study or work visa purposes.

There is a world of difference between a Band 6 and a Band 7 or, better still, a Band 7.5 or 8.0. Those with lower scores will struggle at first and perhaps later on and the reason for that is because they have yet to achieve what many call “sufficient mastery” of the language. 

Why grammatical accuracy is so important

There is evidence from several studies suggesting that there is no guarantee that your English will improve that much while you are studying at university. In terms of specialised vocabulary perhaps yes, but if it’s grammatical correctness, probably, no. There are individual differences of course, but if you want to succeed at university, it is highly recommended you try to work on errors you are making in grammar BEFORE you start your course. Ideally, before you take IELTS. 

In short, what we ideally need is the right balance between being fluent and being accurate. 

How grammatical accuracy is scored in IELTS

In fact, we’re talking about 50% of the written text: GRA, grammatical range and accuracy together with cohesion and coherence. Those are the parts judged on accuracy, not only of grammatical structures and sentence complexity but also choices made between cohesive devices. Remember that the number of errors, defined as “some” in GRA and cohesive devices and referencing used “mechanically” or with “faults” at Band 6.0 change to “few” errors and “occasional over or under use” of cohesion at Band 7. 

That’s a difference we can work on. Especially if you are starting out on the road towards IELTS and you are getting feedback from your written work pointing out your errors in GRA and cohesion, it’s the best time right now to take that feedback very seriously. 

How your first language can affect your grammatical errors

Certain grammatical errors are related to your first language. Contrasting the rules of your native language with English will not give us the whole picture of anyone’s standards but may help us to know aspects to look out for. 

As an experienced teacher, I would probably be able to identify the first language of a Task 2 writing sample thanks to the errors.  These differences are well-known to all of you as learners even though it requires a lot of effort to tackle these errors successfully. Let’s take a couple of examples. 

There are two cinema in shopping centre. 

What about?

Is useful a dictionary when you learn a language. 

And:

I sometimes go to others shops. 

Very small samples I know and there are so many other features we could mention though my idea is just to get you thinking about this and becoming aware of the kinds of errors you are making. 

So, ideas? That first one with the singular form instead of plural “cinemas” and the missing article “the” before “shopping centre”? 

Yes, likely to be a Chinese speaker as the absence of plural forms and articles in ...