IELTS Band Score Guide
Master the IELTS scoring system and understand what each band level means for your language proficiency and academic or professional goals.
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Understanding IELTS Band Scores
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) uses a 9-band scoring system to measure English language proficiency. Each band represents a specific level of English competency, from Band 1 (non-user) to Band 9 (expert user). Understanding this system is crucial for setting realistic goals and interpreting your results.
Your overall IELTS band score is calculated as the average of your four individual skill scores: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. This average is then rounded to the nearest half or whole band to determine your final score.
Key Points to Remember
- Scores range from 1.0 to 9.0 in half-band increments
- Each skill is scored independently
- The overall band score is an average of all four skills
- Different institutions may have different requirements for each skill
- Band scores are valid for two years from the test date
Band Score Range
Half-band increments
(e.g., 6.5, 7.0, 7.5)
How Your Band Score is Calculated
Individual Skill Scores
Each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is scored independently based on specific criteria. The scoring methods vary:
- Listening & Reading: Based on the number of correct answers out of 40 questions
- Writing: Assessed by trained examiners using four criteria
- Speaking: Evaluated by certified examiners using four criteria
Overall Band Score Formula
Formula:
(Listening + Reading + Writing + Speaking) ÷ 4 = Overall Band Score
Rounding Rules
The average score is rounded according to these rules:
| Average Score | Rounded To |
|---|---|
| 6.125 | 6.0 |
| 6.25 | 6.5 |
| 6.375 | 6.5 |
| 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 6.625 | 6.5 |
| 6.75 | 7.0 |
| 6.875 | 7.0 |
IELTS Band Descriptors
Each band level represents a specific standard of English proficiency. Understanding these descriptors helps you identify your current level and set improvement goals.
Expert User: Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
- Perfect command of English in all contexts
- Uses language with complete naturalness and accuracy
- Demonstrates sophisticated vocabulary and complex grammar
- Shows excellent understanding of nuance and subtlety
Very Good User: Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.
- Very high level of accuracy and fluency
- Occasional minor errors that don't impede communication
- Handles complex language well
- Shows good understanding of detailed reasoning
Good User: Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations.
- Generally handles complex language well
- Good vocabulary and grammar with some inaccuracies
- Understands detailed reasoning
- May struggle with very complex or unfamiliar situations
Competent User: Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
- Can use and understand fairly complex language in familiar situations
- Generally good grasp of vocabulary and grammar
- May have difficulty with complex or abstract concepts
- Adequate for most academic and professional purposes
Modest User: Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes.
- Basic communication in familiar situations
- Frequent errors that may impede communication
- Limited vocabulary and grammar range
- Should be able to handle basic communication in own field
4Limited User
Basic competence limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression.
3Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations.
1Non-User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
IELTS Listening Band Score Conversion
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions, and your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a band score using the table below. The same conversion table applies to both Academic and General Training tests.
| Raw Score (out of 40) | Band Score | Raw Score (out of 40) | Band Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9.0 | 16-17 | 5.0 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 | 13-15 | 4.5 |
| 35-36 | 8.0 | 10-12 | 4.0 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 | 6-9 | 3.5 |
| 30-31 | 7.0 | 4-5 | 3.0 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
| 23-25 | 6.0 | 2 | 2.0 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 | 1 | 1.0 |
Target Scores
- 8.0+ Excellent (35+ correct)
- 7.0-7.5 Good (30+ correct)
- 6.0-6.5 Competent (23+ correct)
- 5.5 Modest (18+ correct)
IELTS Reading Band Score Conversion
Reading scores differ between Academic and General Training tests. Academic Reading is typically considered more challenging, so the conversion table allows for slightly lower raw scores to achieve the same band level.
Academic Reading
| Raw Score | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9.0 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8.0 |
| 33-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7.0 |
| 27-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-26 | 6.0 |
| 19-22 | 5.5 |
| 15-18 | 5.0 |
| 13-14 | 4.5 |
| 10-12 | 4.0 |
General Training Reading
| Raw Score | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 40 | 9.0 |
| 39 | 8.5 |
| 37-38 | 8.0 |
| 36 | 7.5 |
| 34-35 | 7.0 |
| 32-33 | 6.5 |
| 30-31 | 6.0 |
| 27-29 | 5.5 |
| 23-26 | 5.0 |
| 19-22 | 4.5 |
| 15-18 | 4.0 |
Important Note
These conversion tables are approximate and may vary slightly between test sessions. The actual conversion used in your test may differ by 1-2 raw score points.
Writing and Speaking Assessment
Unlike Listening and Reading, Writing and Speaking are assessed by human examiners using detailed band descriptors for four key criteria.
Writing Assessment Criteria
Task Achievement
25%Coherence & Cohesion
25%Lexical Resource
25%Grammar Range & Accuracy
25%Speaking Assessment Criteria
Fluency & Coherence
25%Lexical Resource
25%Grammar Range & Accuracy
25%Pronunciation
25%Score Calculation for Writing and Speaking
Your Writing and Speaking band scores are calculated as the average of the four criteria scores, rounded to the nearest half band. For example:
Example Writing Score:
- Task Achievement: 7.0
- Coherence & Cohesion: 6.5
- Lexical Resource: 7.0
- Grammar Range & Accuracy: 6.5
Average: (7.0 + 6.5 + 7.0 + 6.5) ÷ 4 = 6.75 = Band 7.0
IELTS Score Requirements
Different institutions and purposes require different IELTS band scores. Understanding these requirements helps you set appropriate study goals.
University Requirements
| Institution Level | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Top Universities (UK/AUS) | 7.0-7.5 overall |
| Good Universities | 6.5-7.0 overall |
| Standard Universities | 6.0-6.5 overall |
| Foundation Programs | 5.5-6.0 overall |
| Postgraduate Medicine | 7.5-8.0 overall |
| PhD Programs | 7.0-7.5 overall |
Professional Requirements
| Professional Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| UK General Medical Council | 7.5 overall, 7.0 each skill |
| UK Nursing & Midwifery Council | 7.0 overall, 7.0 each skill |
| Engineering Council UK | 6.5-7.0 overall |
| Law Society (UK) | 7.0-7.5 overall |
| Teacher Training (UK) | 6.5-7.0 overall |
| Chartered Accountants | 6.5-7.0 overall |
Immigration Requirements
| Country/Program | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Canada Express Entry | 6.0-8.0+ (CLB 7-9) |
| Australia Skilled Migration | 6.0-8.0 overall |
| UK Skilled Worker Visa | 6.0 overall, 5.5 each |
| New Zealand Skilled Migrant | 6.5 overall |
| US EB-1/EB-2 Support | Varies by employer |
Setting Your Target Score
- Research specific requirements for your intended institution or purpose
- Consider individual skill requirements, not just overall scores
- Aim slightly higher than the minimum to ensure you meet requirements
- Factor in potential score variations between test sessions
- Allow adequate preparation time (typically 3-6 months)
IELTS Score Conversions
IELTS to CEFR Conversion
| IELTS Band | CEFR Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5-9.0 | C2 | Proficient User |
| 7.0-8.0 | C1 | Advanced User |
| 5.5-6.5 | B2 | Upper Intermediate |
| 4.0-5.0 | B1 | Intermediate |
| 3.0 | A2 | Elementary |
| 2.0 | A1 | Beginner |
IELTS to CLB Conversion (Canada)
| IELTS Band | CLB Level | Express Entry Points |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0+ | CLB 9+ | Maximum points |
| 7.0-7.5 | CLB 9 | High points |
| 6.5 | CLB 8 | Good points |
| 6.0 | CLB 7 | Minimum for Express Entry |
| 5.5 | CLB 6 | Below minimum |
| 5.0 | CLB 5 | Below minimum |
Ready to Achieve Your Target Band Score?
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