Studying at university is harder: IELTS Task 2 essay #1, band 6.5
A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.
255 words. Marked by Axiom on 7 September 2026. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.
Task 2255 words
Many students find it harder to study when they are at university or college than when they were at school. Why is this? What can be done to solve this problem?
In an era characterized by educational development and personal achievements, many students have found it increasingly difficult to cope with the demands of higher education. Although this issue stems from a wider range of factors, I believe that it can be addressed through a combination of individual effort and appropriate educational support.
On the one hand, there are several compelling reasons why higher education is more challenging than school education. For example, students can learn only superficial knowledge from school programs without deep understanding of subjects, thereby negatively effect on students broaden horizons.
Lexical resource
RevisedOne contributing factor is the greater academic demands of higher education, which can be more challenging for students who are used to a different educational system.
The revised sentence is more clear and concise, and it uses more accurate vocabulary.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedGiven these arguments, it is clear why some students find it more difficult to cope with higher education.
The revised sentence corrects the awkward construction and makes the sentence more clear and natural.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedHowever, there are some practical solutions that can be implemented to address this issue.
The revised sentence provides a smoother transition to the next point.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedOne practical solution is for schools to provide more theoretical and scholarly content in their curriculum, which can help students develop a deeper understanding of academic terms and concepts.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear, and it avoids the repetition of 'schools'.
Lexical resource
RevisedThis not only provides potential wisdom but also enhances students’ interest in higher education.
The revised sentence is more accurate and natural, and it uses the correct term 'students' instead of 'pupils'.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedAnother significant measure is to seek parental and governmental assistance.
The revised sentence provides a clearer connection to the following point.
Lexical resource
RevisedWhen they provide a supportive environment and offer relevant educational opportunities, students are more likely to be interested in higher education.
The revised sentence is more natural and uses more precise language.
In conclusion, although there are valid arguments on both sides, I contend that this problem can be tackled through a combination of parental guidance and individual effort.
Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.
What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.
Coherence & cohesion
Band 6.0/ 9
The essay is logically organized and ideas are connected well. However, there are a few areas where the flow of ideas could be improved. The essay follows a logical structure, but transitions between paragraphs and within paragraphs could be smoother. The introduction sets up the topic well, but the connection between different points could be enhanced with more explicit linking phrases. Clearer topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph and more explicit linking phrases would help guide the reader through the essay. Ensuring consistent punctuation and spacing will also improve readability.
Suggestions
- Try to use a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more effectively.
- Make sure that your arguments are developed fully in each paragraph.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedHowever, there are some practical solutions that can be implemented to address this issue.
The revised sentence provides a smoother transition to the next point.
RevisedOne practical solution is for schools to provide more theoretical and scholarly content in their curriculum, which can help students develop a deeper understanding of academic terms and concepts.
The revised sentence is more concise and clear, and it avoids the repetition of 'schools'.
RevisedAnother significant measure is to seek parental and governmental assistance.
The revised sentence provides a clearer connection to the following point.
Grammar & accuracy
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay uses a variety of complex structures. However, there are a few grammatical errors and awkward constructions. The essay contains a few grammatical errors that affect clarity and readability. For example, "students can learn only superficial knowledge from school programs without deep understanding of subjects" should be "students can acquire only superficial knowledge from school programs without a deep understanding of subjects," and "show main factors why some students find more difficult to cope with higher education" should be "show why some students find it more difficult to cope with higher education." Paying closer attention to grammatical accuracy, including subject-verb agreement and preposition use, will improve the overall quality of the essay.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedOne contributing factor is the greater academic demands of higher education, since many students often struggle with the difficult terms of subjects that are incredibly important for their professional development.
The revised sentence corrects the prepositional error and makes the sentence more natural and clear.
RevisedGiven these arguments, it is clear why some students find it more difficult to cope with higher education.
The revised sentence corrects the awkward construction and makes the sentence more clear and natural.
RevisedAnother significant measure is parental and governmental support.
The revised sentence is more natural and uses the term 'support' instead of 'assistance', which is more commonly used in this context.
Lexical resource
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary and there is evidence of some less common and idiomatic language. However, there are a few instances of awkward or incorrect word choice. The essay demonstrates a good command of a wide range of vocabulary, but there are a few instances of awkward or incorrect word choice. For example, "sglificult to cope with the demands" should be "challenging to cope with the demands," and "result in understanding academic terms and concepts effectively" could be rephrased for clarity. Improving word choice and ensuring spelling and grammar consistency will enhance the overall clarity and professionalism of the essay.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedOne contributing factor is the greater academic demands of higher education, which can be more challenging for students who are used to a different educational system.
The revised sentence is more clear and concise, and it uses more accurate vocabulary.
RevisedThis not only provides potential wisdom but also enhances students’ interest in higher education.
The revised sentence is more accurate and natural, and it uses the correct term 'students' instead of 'pupils'.
RevisedWhen they provide a supportive environment and offer relevant educational opportunities, students are more likely to be interested in higher education.
The revised sentence is more natural and uses more precise language.
Task response
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay addresses the task effectively, providing a clear position throughout. However, the argument could be more fully developed in places. The essay addresses the topic by discussing the reasons why higher education may be more challenging than school education and suggesting potential solutions. The writer presents a clear thesis statement and supports it with relevant examples. However, the essay could benefit from more specific examples and a deeper analysis of the factors that contribute to the challenges of higher education. The conclusion is brief and could be more fully developed to provide a more comprehensive summary of the main points discussed.
Suggestions
- Try to develop your arguments more fully with specific examples and evidence.
- Ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea and is well-developed.
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