Studying at university is harder: IELTS Task 2 essay #2, 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.
268 words. Marked by Axiom on 7 September 2026. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.
Task 2268 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?
Today, many students face more challenges studying at university or college rather than at school. There are several reasons why studying at university and college is difficult, I believe that the combination of student and university teacher efforts can solve this problem.
Students may struggle to manage their time effectively as a result, and this may cause them to lose motivation. As a result, some students who were taught by traditional education programmes face significant difficulties.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedOn the one hand, there are several factors that make studying at university and college challenging.
The phrase 'a few factors why' is awkward and can be replaced with 'several factors that make...'
Lexical resource
RevisedOne major challenge is that the higher education system at university and college requires students to meet greater academic standards set by qualified teachers.
The phrase 'greater academic demand by higher qualification teachers' is awkward and the revised phrase is more clear and natural.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedAnother contributing factor is the lack of computer skills, especially as technology continues to develop and education is transitioning from traditional to digital methods.
The original sentence is grammatically incorrect. The revised sentence corrects the grammatical errors and improves the clarity.
One main solution is that teachers should not give them academic works. They need to improve steadily the academic level of homework and lesson. Another possible solution is that university creates extra computer classes for the students who have lack of computer skills as technology develops.
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedOn the other hand, with the combined efforts of students and universities, these challenges can be overcome.
The phrase 'combine efforts of student and university' is grammatically incorrect and the revised phrase is more accurate.
Lexical resource
RevisedThis gives a boost to enhance students' academic knowledge.
The phrase 'gives a shoot' is not idiomatic and the revised phrase is more natural.
Lexical resource
RevisedAdditionally, there should be additional compulsory lessons after the main classes.
The phrase 'there must be extra compulsory lessons' is awkward and the revised phrase is more natural.
Grammar & accuracy
RevisedThis may help students manage their time more effectively.
The original sentence is unclear. The revised sentence is more precise and natural.
In conclusion, there are several challenges in studying at university and college, such as greater academic demands and the lack of computer skills as technology develops,
Coherence & cohesion
RevisedI believe that the combined efforts of both students and teachers can address this problem.
The phrase 'combine efforts of both students and teachers' is grammatically incorrect and the revised phrase is more accurate.
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 clearly states the topic and your opinion, but the connection between different points could be enhanced with more explicit linking phrases. Ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single main idea and using a variety of cohesive devices will help improve the overall coherence.
Suggestions
- Try to use a wider range of linking words to connect your ideas more effectively.
- Ensure that your conclusion effectively summarizes the main points of your essay.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedOn the one hand, there are several factors that make studying at university and college challenging.
The phrase 'a few factors why' is awkward and can be replaced with 'several factors that make...'
RevisedOn the other hand, with the combined efforts of students and universities, these challenges can be overcome.
The phrase 'combine efforts of student and university' is grammatically incorrect and the revised phrase is more accurate.
RevisedI believe that the combined efforts of both students and teachers can address this problem.
The phrase 'combine efforts of both students and teachers' is grammatically incorrect and the revised phrase is more accurate.
Grammar & accuracy
Band 7.0/ 9
The essay uses a variety of complex structures. However, there are a few grammatical errors and awkward constructions. Your essay shows a good command of complex sentence structures, but there are some grammatical errors that affect the overall clarity. For example, in "One major cause is that the education at university and college requires students to meet greater academic demand by higher qualification teachers," the phrase "by higher qualification teachers" is awkward and could be rephrased for clarity. Paying closer attention to grammatical accuracy, including subject-verb agreement and preposition use, will improve the overall quality of your writing.
Sentence revisions 2
RevisedAnother contributing factor is the lack of computer skills, especially as technology continues to develop and education is transitioning from traditional to digital methods.
The original sentence is grammatically incorrect. The revised sentence corrects the grammatical errors and improves the clarity.
RevisedThis may help students manage their time more effectively.
The original sentence is unclear. The revised sentence is more precise and natural.
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. You demonstrate a good command of academic vocabulary, but there are instances of awkward or incorrect word choices. For example, "combine efforts of student and university" should be "the combined efforts of students and universities," and "create extra computer classes" could be phrased more formally as "implement additional computer-based courses." Refining your word choice and ensuring the appropriate level of formality will enhance the overall quality of your writing.
Sentence revisions 3
RevisedOne major challenge is that the higher education system at university and college requires students to meet greater academic standards set by qualified teachers.
The phrase 'greater academic demand by higher qualification teachers' is awkward and the revised phrase is more clear and natural.
RevisedThis gives a boost to enhance students' academic knowledge.
The phrase 'gives a shoot' is not idiomatic and the revised phrase is more natural.
RevisedAdditionally, there should be additional compulsory lessons after the main classes.
The phrase 'there must be extra compulsory lessons' is awkward and the revised phrase is more natural.
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 and supported with specific examples. You have addressed the task by identifying the reasons that make studying at university or college difficult and proposing solutions to these challenges. Your position is clear, and you have provided relevant explanations to support your points. However, the essay could be enhanced by providing more specific examples to illustrate your points. For instance, you could provide an example of a student who struggled with academic demands and lack of computer skills and how they overcame these challenges. Including specific examples would make your arguments more persuasive and your essay more engaging.
Suggestions
- Try to develop your arguments more fully and support them with specific examples.
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