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Understanding the IELTS Band Score
Ridhima Jindal
Updated on 07th November, 2024 , 5 min read
What is IELTS?
The majority of students who want to study abroad must take the IELTS Exam in order to be admitted to their desired university. Anyone planning to take the IELTS should understand how the band score is calculated. This article will explain how IELTS band scores are calculated.
IELTS scores range from 0 to 9. Each section of the exam—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—receives a band score, and the candidate also receives an overall band score, which is the sum of all sectional scores. Candidates may receive scores of.5, 6.5, or 7.
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How is the IELTS Score Calculated?
- The IELTS test measures your English language skills using band scores. These band scores range from 0 to 9, with each band score corresponding to a level of English proficiency.
- AN IELTS band score of 6, for example, denotes a competent user who, despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies, and misunderstandings, has an effective command of the language. In familiar situations, they can also use and understand fairly complex language.
- You will receive a band score for each section of the test as well as an overall band score based on the average of your band scores for Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening. Your band scores are given in whole or half band increments and are rounded to the nearest half or whole band increment.
The IELTS band score is rounded up or down to the nearest 0.5 as follows:
- If your overall score is 6.75, your score will be raised to 7.
- If your overall score is 6.25, your score will be raised to 6.5.
- If your overall score is 6.1, your score will be reduced to 6.
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How to calculate IELTS Writing Band Score?
The IELTS Writing test is marked by qualified IELTS examiners who are intensively trained and monitored to ensure consistency and quality of marking, regardless of where the test is taken in the world. The writing tests are checked and examined by with at least two examiners, and sometimes up to three/ four, so that there is the highest level of accuracy and fairness possible while the results are being released.
Your Writing test response is graded on 'task response,' 'coherence and cohesion,' 'lexical resource,' and 'grammatical range and accuracy.
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How to calculate IELTS Speaking Band Score?
The IELTS Speaking test is designed to simulate a conversation in everyday life. During the exam, you will sit in a private, quiet room with a qualified examiner who will converse with you. If you want, the IELTS examiner can slow down, speed up, or even repeat or rephrase a question for you; all you have to do is ask. Your speaking abilities are evaluated based on several criteria, including 'fluency and coherence,' 'lexical resource,' 'pronunciation,' 'grammatical range,' and 'accuracy.'.
Parameters | Description |
Fluency | Having a lengthy conversation Speaking without pause or hesitation, using simple connectors that listeners can understand |
Lexical Resource | Collocation is used for paraphrasing and using word ranges. using sophisticated language |
Grammar Range and Accuracy | Avoiding grammatical errors by employing a variety of tenses and correct sentence structures |
Pronunciation | Capable of being understood throughout a speech through the use of intonation |
Check Out: IELTS Validity
How to calculate the IELTS Reading Band Score?
You will answer 40 questions on the Reading test. Among the question types used are multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching, and sentence completion. Because your answers are either correct or incorrect, the marking differs from the Speaking and Writing tests. Each correct answer will earn you one mark, with the total number of marks determining your band score.
The following tables show the average number of marks needed to achieve a specific band score in Academic Reading and General Training Reading.
Academic Reading:
- Band score 5 = 15 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 6 = 23 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 7 = 30 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 8 = 35 out of a raw score of 40
General Training Reading:
- Band score 4 = 15 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 5 = 23 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 6 = 30 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 7 = 34 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 8 = 38 out of a raw score of 40
IELTS Reading Band Scores (AC)
Band Score | Correct Answers |
9 | 40-39 |
8.5 | 38-37 |
8 | 36 – 35 |
7.5 | 34 – 33 |
7 | 32 – 30 |
6.5 | 29 – 27 |
6 | 26 – 23 |
5.5 | 22 – 19 |
5 | 18 – 15 |
4.5 | 14 – 13 |
4 | 12 – 10 |
3.5 | 9 – 8 |
3 | 7 – 6 |
The table below are how the IELTS reading band score is calculated:
How to calculate IELTS listening band score?
You will answer 40 questions about audio clips that will be played to you during the Listening test. The marking is a little different from the Speaking and Writing tests because your responses can only be correct or incorrect. Each correct response will earn you one mark, and the total number of marks earned will determine your band score.
The table below shows the typical number of marks needed to pass the Listening test with a particular band score:
- Band score 5 = 16 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 6 = 23 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 7 = 30 out of a raw score of 40
- Band score 8 = 35 out of a raw score of 40
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IELTS Listening Band Score
The table below are how the IELTS listening band score is calculated:
Number of correct answers | Band scores |
39-40 | 9 |
37-38 | 8.5 |
35-36 | 8 |
32-34 | 7.5 |
30-31 | 7 |
26-29 | 6.5 |
23-25 | 6 |
18-22 | 5.5 |
16-17 | 5 |
13-15 | 4.5 |
11-12 | 4 |
How is the Overall IELTS Band Score calculated?
The overall band score is calculated as the average of the four component scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The overall band score is rounded up to the next half band if the average of the four components ends in.25 and to the next whole band if it ends in.75. The final score is rounded down if the average falls short of.25 or.75.
Want to Learn How to Prepare for Your IELTS Exam? Read ILETS Preparation Tips
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IELTS Score Calculator
Below we have given an example how IELTS band score is calculated.
Reading | 6.5 |
Writing | 5 |
Listening | 6.5 |
Speaking | 7 |
Average of all (four) skills | 6.25 |
Overall score | 6.5 |
IELTS Band Score Descriptor
Read the IELTS band score chart to understand the description of each band score.
Band score | Skill Level | Description |
9 | Expert user | The person taking the test proficient in the English Language. Their fluent use of the English language demonstrates their thorough comprehension of it. |
8 | Very good user | The test-taker has excellent language proficiency and few errors. They handle complex situations well. They may make mistakes in unfamiliar situations. |
7 | Good user | The test-taker generally has a strong command of the English language, though there are occasional errors and inappropriate usage in some circumstances. They understand detailed reasoning and can deal with complex language. |
6 | Competent user | Although there are some errors and some inappropriate language usage, the test-taker has a strong command of the language. In familiar situations, they can understand the complex language well. |
5 | Modest user | The test taker has a basic understanding of the English language and can deal with general meaning. They make numerous errors. They are capable of handling basic communication in day to day life or their field. |
4 | Limited user | Only familiar situations are available to the test taker. He or she is unable to use complex language and frequently struggles with comprehension and expression. |
3 | Extremely limited user | In very familiar situations, the test taker understands the only general meaning. Communication breakdowns can occur when the applicant is trying to communicate on daily basis. |
2 | Intermittent user | The test taker struggles to understand spoken and written English. |
1 | Non-user | Except for a few isolated words, the test-taker cannot speak or understand English. |
0 | Did not attempt the test | The test taker did not respond to any of the questions. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to UK with 5 bands?
For UK courses, we can expect a minimum band 5.5, with bands 6.5+ for the top few universities. Please keep in mind that different courses at the same university may have varying IELTS requirements, so check with the institution for more information.
Can I apply for the United States with six bands?
Most US universities accept IELTS test scores ranging from 6 to 6.5. However, in order to gain admission to a top-ranked university in the United States, the student must score at least 7.0.
Is an IELTS band score of 7.5 considered good?
Yes. A 7.5 IELTS score is extremely good for admission to the university of your choice. However, do check for other requirements too.
Is an IELTS score of 6 considered good?
So an "acceptable" overall score is 7.0 or higher. In fact, a band 7.0 is considered a "good user," a band 8.0 is considered a "very good user," and a band 9.0 is considered an "expert" user. But even a 6.0 is a "competent" user.
How is the overall band calculated in IELTS?
You will be graded on your skills in each section of the IELTS test, and the average score you receive in all of these sections will be calculated as your band score.
What is an IELTS band?
The band is the rating that is used to convert your marks on a scale of 1 to 9. Your IELTS score chart will show your band score in the Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Listening sections.