IELTS Band Score

IELTS is the English language proficiency test, used to evaluate your proficiency in the language. The four (4) basic linguistic skills, namely listening, speaking, writing and reading are assessed in this test. The test is conducted by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge to assess the language competency of non-native speakers. The test is in two formats: IELTS academic and general. The IELTS band score is graded between 0-9 as per skills.
The IELTS band score is one of the essential criteria required to achieve your abroad education dream in the US, UK, Canada, etc. This IELTS score validity is 2 years. Thus, a clear understanding of the overall IELTS band score and how it is calculated is required. In this article, we will guide you through the overall score calculation, the IELTS band score chart, and the individual section scores.
Table of Content
- How the IELTS band scores are calculated?
- IELTS band score chart
- IELTS scoring in detail- Sectional band scores
- Listening band score
- IELTS reading band score
- Writing band score and assessment criteria
- IELTS speaking band score and assessment criteria
- FAQ on IELTS
How the IELTS band scores are calculated?
The IELTS band scores are calculated by taking the average of all 4 individual section scores. The overall IELTS band score is graded between 0-9 in the increment of 0.5 on a 9-band scale. Thus your overall score can be a 5 or 6.5 based on the average score. The average result is rounded to the nearest whole or half-band value in the IELTS band score calculator. Thus your IELTS score depends on your listening, reading, writing, and speaking scores.
In the IELTS exam, there are no qualifying marks, but the marks obtained are to precisely assess your English language skill. The score obtained will demonstrate your English proficiency. This score is vital because it is used for obtaining the Canada PR and immigration visa.
Know more about the IELTS score requirements for Canada student visa.
The overall IELTS band score = (listening band score + reading band score + speaking band score + writing band score) / 4
The following IELTS band score chart will illustrate how the IELTS score is calculated.
From the above illustration, you can see there will be 4 ways to round off the average score.
- It can be seen that the average value is rounded off up or down, and remains the same based on the decimal value obtained. If your average sum is 6 or 6.5 your overall score will remain the same.
- When the average value has a decimal value ending with .25 or .75 it will be rounded off to the nearest higher value. For example, if you have a score of 7.25, your score will be 7.5 and if your score is 6.75 then your overall IELTS score will be 7.
- If the average value is having a decimal value below the midpoint, then it will be rounded off to the lowest band score. For example, if your score is 4.625, it is rounded off to 4.5, and if it is 5.175 it will be rounded as 5.
- If the average score is having a decimal point, above the midpoint, it will be rounded off to the higher band score. For example, if your average value is 7.825, your final score will be 8 and if it is 7.356 band score will be 7.5.
In the IELTS band score, the value of 0.5 is vital. Thus while filling out your application form, be cautious to fill in the original score as given in the TRF. The score obtained is valid for 2 years. If you wish to improve your IELTS score, you can retake the IELTS exam again.
IELTS band score chart
The IELTS band score descriptors are used to measure your English competency level to provide the score. IELTS score is considered by immigration offices and universities across the globe because of its accurate assessment level. The IELTS band score chart is given below for your reference.
IELTS scoring in detail - Section Band score
As you are aware that the IELTS test evaluates your ability to listen, speak, write and read the language, these four skill sets will be the 4 sections of the exam. Since the IELTS score, scoring pattern, and marking criteria for each section differ, we will see how each section is being assessed and scored.
Listening band score
The IELTS listening section is used to evaluate how well you can listen and understand the conversation of native language speakers. Here the listening band score will be given based on the number of correct answers. Each correct answer will gain you 1 mark and the total raw score will be 40. The listening band score will be graded between 0-9 based on the raw score obtained out of 40.
This section will be conducted for 30 minutes, during which you will be listening to the recording of 4, different conversations and monologues in social and academic contexts. Using the audio, you will be answering the given questions. The below-given table will show you the obtained raw score and the corresponding IELTS listening band score.
From the table it can be seen that, for a score of 38 out of 40, your listening band score would be 8.5, and for a raw score of 31, your band score will be 7 and so on. Thus you must pay keen attention to the audio played and try answering the questions correctly within the time limit.
IELTS Reading band score
The IELTS reading test is conducted to evaluate your skills like reading, understanding, and response to the situation. The reading test will be different for the IELTS AC test and the IELTS GT test. Thus the IELTS reading band scores are also calculated differently.
In the reading test, you will be reading the given passages and responding to the corresponding questions. You will have 40 questions to answer in 60 minutes. Each question carries 1 mark and there is no negative marking. Thus your IELTS reading band score will be calculated based on the number of correct answers provided.
Check out this IELTS reading band score to know more about the evaluation of the reading section.
IELTS academic reading band score
The IELTS Academic test is taken by aspirants seeking admission to universities abroad. You will be given 3 passages taken from the articles and publishings from an academic background. The academic test is considered to be hard as the language used will be at a scholarly level. You will be given 40 questions and each question carries one mark. The IELTS academic reading band score will depend on the raw score obtained.
The IELTS academic reading band score chart is given below for your reference.
IELTS general reading band score
The IELTS general test is taken by individuals who are travelling abroad for a job or for migrating reasons. The GT test is considered easy as the passages will be related to the social life, work life, and personal life of the individual in an English-speaking country. You will be given 3 reading passages, and 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. The IELTS general reading band score will be given in accordance with the number of correct answers given.
The IELTS general reading band score chart is given below for your reference.
Writing band score and assessment criteria
The IELTS writing test is used to assess your language competency in writing. Here you will be asked to write 150 words and 250 words essays. Task 2 essay is similar to the general and academic tests. Task 1 is different for academic and general tests. In the academic test, you will be reporting about the visual representation in a 150 words essay. In the general test, you will be writing a letter explaining the given situation.
The IELTS writing band score is calculated based on the 4 marking criteria. They are
- Task achievement in Task 1 and Task response in task 2
- Grammar range and accuracy
- Lexical resources
- Coherence and Cohesion
The writing band score along with the IELTS writing band descriptors are given below for your reference.
Band Score | Task response | Task Achievement | Coherence and cohesion | Lexical Resources |
Grammatical range and accuracy |
9 |
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8 |
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7 |
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6 |
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5 |
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4 |
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3 |
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2 |
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1 |
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0 |
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IELTS speaking band score and assessment criteria
The IELTS speaking test is used to check your command over the language. The test consists of 3 parts. In part 1, you will introduce yourself, in part 2 you will be given a speaking cue card and asked to talk about the topic. Part 3 will be a follow us discussion session, where you will be discussing the cue card answer. The IELTS speaking band score will be calculated based on your performance in all the 3 parts.
The IELTS speaking band score is calculated based on the 4 speaking assessment criteria. They are
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resources
- Grammatical range and accuracy
- Pronunciation
The speaking band score chart is shared for your reference.
Band score | Fluency and coherence | Lexical resources | Grammatical range and accuracy | Pronunciation |
9 |
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8 |
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7 |
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6 |
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5 |
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4 |
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3 |
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2 |
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Unintelligible speech |
1 |
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Learn more about the IELTS score required for Canada PR.
Conclusion
Achieving a good IELTS band score is important to secure admission to the top universities of the globe. As the overall score is calculated based on the individual section, pay equal attention to crack the sections successfully.
FAQs on IELTS band score
1. What's the passing score for IELTS?
IELTS doesn’t follow the concept of passing or failing. If the band is zero, it indicates you didn't attempt the test. Any band above zero indicates your level of proficiency in English. Band 9 means a high level of proficiency, whereas band 6 means an average proficiency.
2. How are scores calculated in IELTS?
Individual scores of all 4 modules are first compared against bands [zero to nine]. Then the bands for each module are added up and divided by 4. The obtained average score is your IELTS band, ranging anywhere between 0 and 9.
3. What’s the validity of your IELTS score?
The validity of the IELTS test report is 2 years. This means that you can apply for your studies abroad within those 2 years. If the score expires, you’ll have to retake the exam.
4. Does reapplying for IELTS increase marks?
No. Reapplying for IELTS does not always increase marks. There’s no rule that reapplying for IELTS will always lead to an increase in marks. It may or may not. The score improvement depends only on your performance.
5. Can I combine 2 IELTS results?
No, that’s not possible. You are allowed to choose the highest or any one test report that you wish to use. It’s always better to go with the highest band since that can fetch you other opportunities.
6. Is band 6 good for Canada PR?
Yes. IELTS band 6 can get you into many good colleges in Canada. It’s also useful for migration visas. But if you are looking for a master, you may need to score a little more than just 6 in IELTS.
7. Is 1 month enough to prepare for IELTS?
IELTS preparation time varies based on the test-taker and how much time the person has in hand. Some people find it easier to prepare within a month, whereas some couldn’t complete the syllabus after 2 months.
8. Can I prepare at home for IELTS in 1 month?
Yes. You can prepare for IELTS at home for one month. Self-studying is a good idea, but not for those who don’t know what IELTS is all about. If you are struggling to understand the question patterns in IELTS, then you must go with coaching. A professional IELTS trainer will prepare you within a month.
9. How to score band 7.5, 8 or 9 in IELTS?
To get a good band score of 7 and above, you must understand how the entire exam is marked. If you follow a strategy, then it shouldn't be difficult to get a band score of 7.5, 8 or 9 in IELTS.
10. What is the IELTS life skills test?
IELTS life skills tests are used to assess only the speaking and listening skills of the test-taker. It’s used for certain visa types to move to the UK.
11. Is 7.5 a good IELTS band score?
Yes, 7.5 is a good IELTS band score and is considered to be an above-average band score. Most universities are considering a band score of 7 and above as their pre-requisite for admissions.
12. Is 4 a good IELTS band score?
The IELTS band score of 4 indicates that you have limited usage of the Language. For a hassle-free immigration and admission process, you must have a band score above 6.
13. What is the difference between raw score and band score?
The main difference between the raw score and band score is, raw score is the mark given against the number of correct answers given in the reading and listening sections. The band score is the final average score given to depict your English proficiency. The raw score will be in the range of 40 and the IELTS band score will be on a 9-band scale ranging between 1-9.
14. What is IELTS life skills score?
IELTS life skills exams were first offered in 2015, to meet the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration [UKVI]. It’s offered to test the speaking and listening skills of test-takers applying for certain types of UK visas.
The test doesn’t have reading and writing sections, and no band score is given at the end. It’s only to test the speaking and listening ability of test takers - the way they communicate and engage in a discussion.
Since there is no scoring system in this test, the test-taker is declared either to pass or fail after the exam. If a candidate fails, he/she can retake the exam as many times as they want. But if a candidate passes the exam, then he/she cannot take up the test [to improve scores] for the next 2 years.
15. Why do you need a good band score?
You need a good IELTS band score for the following reasons
- To prove that you are competent in English language listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
- Many English-speaking countries like Canada require good IELTS scores for permanent residency through express entry programs.
- To secure admissions to top-notch academic institutions across the world.
- To migrate easily to an English-speaking country on a skilled visa.
16. What happens if you achieve a good IELTS score?
As explained above, achieving a good IELTS score is very important for university admissions, PR applications, migration, etc. If you were not able to secure the desired IELTS band score, you can rewrite the exam as many times as possible. IELTS is an exam that can be re-taken any number of times.
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