Practice by band
Each question is tagged with the band ceiling an average test-taker hits on it. Pick the difficulty that matches your goal — then drill that ceiling until you break through it.
6.5
Clear position, body paragraphs with main ideas, some less-common vocabulary. For writers producing complete essays where errors still impede flow.
88 questions →University standard7.0
Frequent error-free sentences, a clear central topic per paragraph, less-common lexis used appropriately. The most common university requirement.
159 questions →Top-tier goals7.5+
Wide range of complex structures, mostly error-free, sophisticated lexis used naturally. Top universities, medical licensing, skilled migration.
31 questions →How the ceiling works
The tag on each question is the band an average test-taker tends to top out at on it — a reading of how unforgiving the question is to vague claims, off-position arguments, or weak examples. Practising just above your current band is the fastest way up: too easy teaches nothing, too hard just burns time.
Suggested ladder
Don’t know your current band? Grade one essay and start from there.
Grade one essay to place yourself, then follow the ladder up. Starts with a 3-day free trial.