Q: Band 9

Skill level Expert user Description Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Q: Band 8

Skill level Very good user Description Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Q: Band 7

Skill level Good user Description Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Q: Band 6

Skill level Competent user Description Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Q: Band 5

Skill level Modest user Description Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Q: Band 4

Skill level Limited user Description Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Q: Band 3

Skill level Extremely limited user Description Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Q: Band 2

Skill level Intermittent user Description No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Q: Band 1

Skill level Non-user Description Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Q: Band 0

Skill level Did not attempt test Description No assessable information provided.

Question 1

Band 9

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Expert user

Description
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Question 2

Band 8

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Very good user

Description
Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Question 3

Band 7

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Good user

Description
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Question 4

Band 6

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Competent user

Description
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Question 5

Band 5

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Modest user

Description
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Question 6

Band 4

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Limited user

Description
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Question 7

Band 3

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Extremely limited user

Description
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Question 8

Band 2

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Intermittent user

Description
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Question 9

Band 1

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Non-user

Description
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Question 10

Band 0

Accepted Answer

Skill level
Did not attempt test

Description
No assessable information provided.

Question 11

Why do I score higher in some parts of the test over others?

Accepted Answer

It is common for people to achieve a different band score for each skill and completely normal to have a difference of up to two bands between skills. This occurs regardless of the language being tested and the type of language test taken. Listening and Speaking are often the strongest skills for most people.

Question 12

What can I do if I am not happy with my test results?

Accepted Answer

You can apply for a review of your band scores (called an Enquiry on Results) at your test centre within six weeks of the test date.
You must pay an enquiry fee, which is fully refunded if your band score changes. If your band score changes, you will be issued a new Test Report Form (TRF).

Question 13

What is the 'pass mark' for the IELTS test?

Accepted Answer

In the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, your results are given as a pass or fail mark.
There is no pass or fail in IELTS Academic or General Training test. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational institution or organisation sets its own level of IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.

Question 14

If I use more idioms in my Speaking test, will it increase my Speaking score?

Accepted Answer

Using idioms in the IELTS Speaking test can be helpful, but be careful because idioms are difficult to use and do not always sound natural.  Make sure you are sure how to use them correctly.

IELTS Academic

IELTS General training

IELTS for UKVI

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CAMBRIDGE

OET

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Understand IELTS scores

Band scores

Overall band scores

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