Understand IELTS scores

In the IELTS test, your English-language skills are measured against band scores. These band scores range from a band 0 to a band 9 with each band score corresponding to a level of English-language competence.

For example, a band score of 6 corresponds to a competent user who generally has effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. They can also use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

In your IELTS results, you will get a band score for each part of the test as well as an overall band score which is an average of your band scores for Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening. Your band scores are given as whole or half band scores and are rounded up to the nearest half or whole band score.

For example, if you get a 6.5 in Reading, 5 in Writing, 7 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Listening, the average of these 4 scores would be 6.25. This score would be rounded up to 6.5 for your overall band score.

IELTS assessment criteria

To get a better understanding of the IELTS assessment criteria and the level of performance required to attain a particular band score, please download the PDFs below.

Speaking Test

speakingbanddescriptors

Writing Test

writingbanddescriptorstask1and2

Assessment criteria for Listening and Reading

IELTS Listening and Reading papers each contain 40 items and each correct item is awarded one mark; the maximum raw score a candidate can achieve on a paper is 40. Band scores ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 are awarded to candidates on the basis of their raw scores.

Why is my IELTS result valid for only two years?

The IELTS partners recommend that a Test Report Form which is more than two years old should only be accepted if it is accompanied by proof that you have actively maintained or tried to improve your English.

The IELTS test assesses your abilities in all four skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

IELTS Listening (Duration: 30 minutes)

You will listen to four recorded texts – monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers – and write the answers to a series of questions. The IELTS Listening section includes questions that test your ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of what is said and ability to follow the development of ideas. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used and you will hear each section only once.

Please note: The Listening component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

Part 1: A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency. Part 2: A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities. Part 3: A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment. Part 4: A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

IELTS Reading (Duration: 60 minutes)

The IELTS Reading component comprises 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

IELTS Reading Academic versionThe Academic version includes three long texts, which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are recognizably appropriate for anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.

IELTS Reading General Training versionThe General Training version requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.

IELTS Writing (Duration: 60 minutes)

IELTS Writing – Academic versionThe Writing component of the IELTS Academic version includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

Task 1: You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and are asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event. Task 2: You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style.

IELTS Writing – General Training version

The Writing component of the IELTS General Training version includes two tasks, which are based on topics of general interest.

Task 1: You will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style. Task 2: You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

IELTS Speaking (Duration: 11 to 14 minutes)

The IELTS Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded.

Please note: The Speaking component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions. Part 1: You will be asked to answer general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes. Part 2: You will be given a card that asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test. Part 3: You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four and five minutes. The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that does not allow you to rehearse set responses beforehand.

IELTS band scores

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Candidates are graded on their performance, using scores from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The results from the four parts then produce an Overall Band Score.

This unique 9-band system measures scores in a consistent manner – wherever and whenever the test is taken. It is internationally recognised and understood, giving you a reliable international currency. IELTS scores have a recommended validity period of two years.

>>>View the IELTS band scores descriptor

IELTS Testing Services for Institutions and Organisations

We also provide services to institutions and organisations which intend to offer English language development programmes to their students/employees.

In order to support you in offering English training courses of high quality and in making IELTS test arrangements, we offer services including structured training, IELTS courses and IELTS Test group registration as well as testing at your institution/at our test centers.

Benefits to your institution/ organisation

• Choosing the test dates that suit you the most.

• Registration at your own premises and sitting the test at your institution /our test centers with full facilities.

• Access to IELTS online preparation resources and provision of academic support if required.

If you would like to know more about these services, please contact us at ielts.hongkong@idp.com or 2179-3600