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When you get your IELTS test results, you will be given an overall test score between 0 and 9 on the IELTS band scale. You will also receive individual scores for each of the four sections of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS band scale helps organisations understand your level of English proficiency, with each band representing a specific level of competence in the language.
IELTS exam band scores range from 0 to 9. Each section is scored individually, and these scores are then averaged to take out your overall band score.
Calculating section scores:
Listening and Reading: Each correct answer earns one point, and the total number of points is converted into a band score using a standardised conversion table
Writing and Speaking: Examiners assess performance based on specific criteria, including task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy for Writing; and fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation for Speaking
The overall band score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
If the average of the four section scores ends in .25, the overall band score is rounded up to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 becomes 6.5)
If the average ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 becomes 7.0)
Both Academic and General Training tests have the same band score chart.
The test taker has a fully operational command of the language
Their use of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and shows complete understanding
The test taker has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage
They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well
The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in some situations
They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning
The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings
They can use and understand reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations
The test taker has partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes
They should be able to handle basic communication in their field
The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations
They frequently show problems in understanding and expression
The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations
There are frequent breakdowns in communication
The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English
The test taker cannot use the language except a few isolated words
The test taker did not answer the questions
Here are the section-wise IELTS exam band scores and marking criteria for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking:
The IELTS Listening test has 40 questions. Each correct answer is given 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are calculated and given in whole and half bands.
Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in the Listening section. The actual number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test versions.
Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score) | IELTS Listening band score |
---|---|
40 | 9 |
35 | 8 |
30 | 7 |
23 | 6 |
16 | 5 |
The IELTS Reading test has 40 questions, with each correct answer given 1 mark. These scores are then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale, reported in whole and half bands. Both the Academic and General Training Reading tests use the same scale, but the Academic test may have more complex texts. Generally, more correct answers are needed on the General Training test to achieve the same band score.
Below are the average marks required for different band scores in Academic and General Training Reading, noting that the exact marks can vary by test version.
Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score) | IELTS Reading Academic band score |
---|---|
40 | 9 |
35 | 8 |
30 | 7 |
23 | 6 |
15 | 5 |
Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score) | IELTS Reading General Training band score |
---|---|
35 | 7 |
30 | 6 |
23 | 5 |
15 | 4 |
Examiners use assessment criteria to give a score for each of the following four criteria:
Task achievement (for task 1) and task response (for task 2)
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy.
Each task is assessed independently. The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four areas:
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resource
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
Each of the criteria carries equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking.