What the exam asks
Lexical Resource covers range (can you talk about any topic?), precision (the right word, not just a word), less common and idiomatic items, collocation and style, and paraphrase when you lack a word.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy covers the variety of structures you use (simple and complex sentences, tenses, conditionals, relative clauses, passives, modals) and how many of your sentences are error-free.
The key differences between bands (paraphrased, not official wording):
| Band | Lexical Resource | Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length; some inappropriate choices; paraphrase usually works | Mix of simple and complex forms; complex ones often contain errors that rarely block meaning |
| 7 | Flexible across topics; some less common and idiomatic items, with awareness of collocation and style | A range of complex structures with some flexibility; error-free sentences are frequent |
| 8 | Wide, precise vocabulary; less common and idiomatic items used skilfully, with occasional slips | Wide range used flexibly; most sentences error-free |
| 9 | Complete flexibility and precision; idiomatic language entirely natural | Full range used naturally; only the slips a native speaker might make |
Two points stand out. First, idiomatic at 7+ means natural collocations, phrasal verbs and fixed expressions, not proverbs. Second, the 6-to-7 jump in grammar is about how often your sentences are error-free, especially the complex ones.
Core ideas
Precision beats rarity
The goal is the word that fits exactly. “The traffic is very bad” is clear; “the roads are gridlocked by half past seven” is precise. Build topic sets for the themes that recur (work, study, technology, environment, cities, health, media, travel, family, culture) and learn each word with its usual partners:
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