IELTS band scores - How they are calculated

Understanding and explaining IELTS band scores

When you get your IELTS test results, you will be given an overall test score between 0 and 9 on the IELTS band scale. You will also receive individual scores for each of the four sections of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS band scale helps organisations understand your level of English proficiency, with each band representing a specific level of competence in the language.

How the IELTS band scores are calculated?

IELTS exam band scores range from 0 to 9. Each section is scored individually, and these scores are then averaged to take out your overall band score.

Calculating section scores:

• Listening and Reading: Each correct answer earns one point, and the total number of points is converted into a band score using a standardised conversion table

• Writing and Speaking: Examiners assess performance based on specific criteria, including task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy for Writing; and fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation for Speaking

Overall IELTS band scores calculation

The overall band score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band.

Half-band score calculation:

• If the average of the four section scores ends in .25, the overall band score is rounded up to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 becomes 6.5)

• If the average ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 becomes 7.0)

IELTS band score descriptions for Academic and General Training

Both Academic and General Training tests have the same band score chart.

9 skill level: Expert

• The test taker has a fully operational command of the language

• Their use of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and shows complete understanding

8 skill level: Very good

• The test taker has a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage

• They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well

7 skill level: Good

• The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in some situations

• They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning

6 skill level: Competent

• The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings

• They can use and understand reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations

5 skill level: Modest

• The test taker has partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes

• They should be able to handle basic communication in their field

4 skill level: Limited

• The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations

• They frequently show problems in understanding and expression

3 skill level: Extremely limited

• The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations

• There are frequent breakdowns in communication

2 skill level: Intermittent

• The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English

1 skill level: Non-user

• The test taker cannot use the language except a few isolated words

0 skill level: Did not attempt the test

• The test taker did not answer the questions

Section-wise IELTS scores and marking criteria

Here are the section-wise IELTS exam band scores and marking criteria for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking:

IELTS Listening band scores and what they mean

The IELTS Listening test has 40 questions. Each correct answer is given 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are calculated and given in whole and half bands.

Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in the Listening section. The actual number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test versions.

IELTS Listening score table converter

IELTS Reading band scores and what they mean

The IELTS Reading test has 40 questions, with each correct answer given 1 mark. These scores are then converted to the IELTS 9-band scale, reported in whole and half bands. Both the Academic and General Training Reading tests use the same scale, but the Academic test may have more complex texts. Generally, more correct answers are needed on the General Training test to achieve the same band score.

Below are the average marks required for different band scores in Academic and General Training Reading, noting that the exact marks can vary by test version.

IELTS Reading score table converter

IELTS Writing band score and what they mean

Examiners use assessment criteria to give a score for each of the following four criteria:

• Task achievement (for task 1) and task response (for task 2)

• Coherence and cohesion

• Lexical resource

• Grammatical range and accuracy.

Each task is assessed independently. The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.

IELTS Speaking band score and what they mean

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four areas:

• Fluency and coherence

• Lexical resource

• Grammatical range and accuracy

• Pronunciation

Each of the criteria carries equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking.