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 an 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 the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band. 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.