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Writing Samples
Band 8.5

Some people think having a university degree is the best way to secure a good job. However, others believe skills and experience are more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

8.5 / 9
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Introduction
While
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 some argue that a university qualification remains the surest route to a rewarding career, others believe that practical skills and experience matter more to employers.
Although
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 both views have merit, I believe that a degree opens the door, yet ability and hands-on practice decide who keeps the job.
Body paragraph 1
Admittedly, those who favour formal education point first to access. Many professions,
such
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 as medicine, law and engineering, are closed to anyone without the relevant certificate, so a degree is not merely helpful but compulsory. In Morocco,
for instance
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, the large banks in Casablanca rarely interview candidates who lack a bachelor's qualification, whatever their talent. Closely linked to
this
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 is the training in analysis and writing that lectures provide, since graduates can usually learn a new system faster than people who left school early.
Body paragraph 2
Nevertheless
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, supporters of workplace learning raise a serious objection. The most important thing is that a certificate proves only that a person could pass examinations,
whereas
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 real work demands teamwork, punctuality and judgement under pressure. A software firm in Rabat,
for example
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, now hires self-taught programmers who show finished projects, and these recruits frequently outperform graduates because they have already solved real problems.
Moreover
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, technology changes at
such
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 speed that knowledge gained at university can be outdated within five years, and,
consequently
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, continuous practice counts for more than old lecture notes. In my view,
therefore
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, the ideal candidate combines both, and if a choice had to be made, proven skill would serve an employer better than a framed diploma.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a qualification remains essential for regulated professions and signals discipline to recruiters. On balance,
however
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, it is skills and experience that turn a job into a lasting career.

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task response
You discuss both sides and give a clear view. To make your view even stronger, say more clearly why skill and work time should win when a person has to choose between the two.
task response
Your main ideas are well made: some jobs need a degree, while many jobs need real skill. You could add one short point about how a degree and work time can help each other in most jobs.
task response
Your examples are clear and fit the topic. Be careful with broad claims, such as what banks 'rarely' do. You can make these safer by saying 'may' or 'often' instead.
coherence and cohesion
Your essay has a clear path: first one side, then the other side, then your own view. Keep this strong order in future essays.
coherence and cohesion
You use link words well, such as 'Admittedly', 'Nevertheless', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion'. Do not add too many link words in one long sentence; short, clear links can be easier to read.
coherence and cohesion
Most ideas are joined well within each paragraph. The last sentence of the second body paragraph has many ideas at once. You could split it into two sentences to make your key view stand out more.
coherence and cohesion
The ending clearly sums up both sides and your view. Make sure its final claim fully matches your earlier point that the best worker has both a degree and real skill.
task response
You answer every part of the question: you explain both views and state your own view clearly.
task response
The points about jobs like medicine, law, and engineering are strong because they show why a degree can be a must.
task response
The example of self-taught programmers gives a clear, real-world reason why skill and work time can matter more.
coherence and cohesion
Each paragraph has one clear main idea, so the reader can follow your argument with ease.
coherence and cohesion
Your first and last paragraphs work very well together: the start gives your main view, and the end returns to it.
coherence and cohesion
You use clear words to show contrast between the two sides, which helps the essay flow well.
Topic Vocabulary:
  • competitive advantage
  • in-depth knowledge
  • theoretical understanding
  • networking opportunities
  • prerequisite
  • professions
  • practical, hands-on knowledge
  • perform tasks efficiently and effectively
  • actual ability
  • deliver results
  • problem-solving
  • communication
  • teamwork
  • real-world settings
  • blend of both education and practical experience
  • theoretical concepts
  • ideal scenario
  • bolstered by practical application
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