IELTS Band Score Chart, Converter for Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking sections

To achieve your desired score in IELTS, it is essential to have knowledge of the IELTS band score table. The test assesses the language proficiency of non-native speakers in two formats - IELTS academic and general - and is administered by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. The IELTS band score ranges from 0 to 9 and is based on performance in the four sections:
1. Listening
2. Reading
3. Writing
4. Speaking

In this article, you will know about the IELTS band score chart & system, the method to calculate overall band score, band descriptors assessment criteria

Table of Contents

• IELTS Band Score Descriptors
• IELTS Scoring in detail
• IELTS Listening Band Scores
• IELTS Reading Band Scores
• IELTS Writing Band Score Assessment Criteria
• IELTS Speaking Band Score Assessment Criteria
• How to calculate overall IELTS Band Score?
• FAQs on IELTS Band Score

IELTS Band Score Descriptors

Knowing about assessment criteria of the IELTS test is important and also test takers need to be aware of the fact that the overall IELTS score will reflect their proficiency and command they had on language. The IELTS band score descriptors chart is given below for your reference.

IELTS Scoring in detail : Section-wise

Since the IELTS score, scoring pattern, and marking criteria differs for each of the four sections, we will see how each section is being assessed and scored. We have given band score charts for all of the sections in IELTS module - Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

IELTS Listening Band Scores

The IELTS listening section is used to evaluate how well you can listen and understand the conversation of native language speakers.This section will be conducted for 30 minutes, during which you will answer the questions by listening to the recording of 4, different conversations and monologues in social and academic contexts.

The listening band score will be graded between 0-9 based on the raw score obtained out of 40. Each correct answer will gain you 1 mark and no mark deductions for incorrect answers. The below-given table will show you the obtained raw score and the corresponding IELTS listening band score.

Note: Raw score= Number of correctly answered questions

IELTS Reading Band Scores

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 Academic(AC) test and the IELTS General Training (GT) test.

The IELTS Academic test is taken by aspirants seeking admission to universities abroad. And The  IELTS General test is taken by individuals who are travelling abroad for a job or for migrating reasons.

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.

IELTS Writing Band Score 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.

IELTS writing 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 (Task 1) and Task response (Task 2)
• Grammar range and accuracy
• Lexical resources
• Coherence and Cohesion

See it here to know  All the IELTS writing band scores assessment criteria pdf

IELTS Speaking Band Score 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.
In Part 3: discussion session, where you will be discussing the cue card answer.

Your IELTS speaking band score will be determined based on your performance in all of the three 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 

See it here to know  All the IELTS speaking band scores assessment criteria pdf

How to Calculate Overall IELTS Band Score?

In the IELTS test, scores for each section are assigned between 0 and 9. Furthermore, You can also get half (.5) scores (for example 6.5, 7.5). You will receive individual scores for each skill- listening, reading, writing and speaking. And also the overall band score which is the average score of all the skills.

The overall IELTS band score = (listening band score + reading band score + speaking band score + writing band score) / 4

Make a note that if the average score has

• Decimal ending with .25 or .75, score will be rounded off to the next higher value
• Decimal value below midpoint, score will be rounded to nearest band score.

Let’s have a look at some examples illustrating overall IELTS band scores calculation

For instance

Example 1: From the above figure, Candidate A scores

Listening - 6

Reading- 7

Speaking- 5.5

Writing- 6.5

Total score = 6+7+5.5+6.5 = 25

Divide the total score by 4 to get average band score

Average band score= 25/4= 6.25

Since the score is between 6 and 6.5, Round off the above score to the next half band

Hence, Overall Band Score- 6.5

Example 2: From the above figure, Candidate C scores

Listening - 3

Reading- 5

Speaking- 4.5

Writing- 6

Total score = 3+5+4.5+6= 18.5

Divide the total score by 4 to get average band score

Average band score= 18.5/4= 4.625

Since the score is just below the mid point and between 4.5 and 5, Round off the above score to nearest score band

Hence, Overall Band Score- 4.5

The obtained IELTS band score obtained is valid for 2 years. If you wish to improve your IELTS score, you can retake the IELTS exam.

Pay equal attention to crack all the four sections successfully because an overall band score is calculated based on the individual section's performance. Achieving a good IELTS band score is important to secure admission to the top universities across the globe.

FAQs on IELTS band score

1. Is Band 7 a good score in IELTS?

Scoring 7 or above in the IELTS examination is considered as a good score. It lands your admission in a safe zone in most of the universities preferring IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency.

2. Is IELTS 6 a good score?

A band score 6 signifies a proficient user who holds command in language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate use of vocabulary and some misunderstandings. Moreover they can understand and handle fairly complex language in familiar situations.

3. What score is band 8.5 IELTS?

The IELTS academic reading band score will depend on the raw score obtained. For IELTS band score 8.5, your raw score out of 40 should range between 37-38.

4. What is normal IELTS band score?

The average IELTS band score ranges between 6.5-8 approximately. The score is calculated by evaluating all the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

5. What's the passing score for IELTS?

IELTS doesn’t follow the concept of pass or fail. 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.

6. 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.