The IELTS Test is made up of four sections, reading, writing, listening and speaking. You will receive an IELTS score for each of these sections, between band scores 1-9. Each IELTS score is worth 25% of your overall IELTS band score, so no section of the test is weighted more than the other.
To get your overall IELTS band score, each section of the test is calculated and then your band score is the average of those four scores. Overall listening, reading, writing and speaking scores are rounded up to the nearest .5. So, if your average overall raw score is 6.75, this will be rounded up to a 7. However, this is not the case with individual sections of the test where scores are rounded down. For example, in IELTS writing, if you get a 6.75 IELTS score, this would be rounded down to a 6.5 and NOT rounded up to a 7. All the band scores for listening, reading, writing and speaking will be shown on your test report form with your overall IELTS test score shown clearly.
IELTS score descriptors
It's important to understand the assessment criteria for the IELTS test and to be aware that IELTS scores reflect the command of the language that the test taker is able to demonstrate.
Here is an example of the IELTS score descriptors, for you to get an idea of what is expected for band 6 to band 9.
IELTS band score 9: expert user
The candidate’s language use is accurate and fluent to achieve an overall band score of 9 on the IELTS test. Shows full operational command of the English language and can handle complex language well. A full operational command of English could include occasional one-liner jokes, appropriate use of emphasis and the test taker should be able to produce detailed argumentation well.
IELTS band score 8: very good user
To get an overall band score of 8 on the IELTS test the candidate has full operational command of the English language shows occasional inaccuracies or inappropriate usage. Misinterpretation arises in unfamiliar circumstances. Remember that operational command means that the test taker is choosing appropriate topics for your speaking answers.
IELTS band score 7: good user
Generally, for an overall band score of 7 on the IELTS test, the candidate has a good command of the language, some occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings arise. Able to handle detailed reasoning. Good command of the language means that many of their sentences in the writing and speaking IELTS test will be error-free.
IELTS band score 6: competent user
For an overall band score of 6 on the IELTS test, the candidate has effective command of the language and some misunderstandings and misinterpretations arise. Able to use fairly complex language in familiar scenarios. See it here. Being an effective user, particularly in familiar situations, suggests that the candidate should do well in parts 1 and 2 of the test, although they may struggle more in part 3.
The IELTS reading band scores
The number of correct answers will determine your IELTS reading band score. Each question is worth one mark. Spelling mistakes will be marked as incorrect so it is important that your spelling is as accurate as possible.
IELTS academic reading scores
Number of correct answers and IELTS Band Score
39-40 Band score 9
37-38 Band score 8.5
35-36 Band score 8
33-34 Band score 7.5
30-32 Band score 7
27-29 Band score 6.5
25-26 Band score 6
19-22 Band score 5.5
15-18 Band score 5
13-14 Band score 4.5
10-12 Band score 4
8-9 Band score 3.5
6-7 Band score
34-5 Band score 2.5
See it here
IELTS general reading scores
Number of correct answers and Band Score
You will need 40 for a Band score of 9, 39 for an 8.5 band score, 38 for an 8 and 36 for a 7.5. Remember that scores for reading on the General Training test do not match those of the Academic reading IELTS scoring.
See it here.
IELTS listening scores
The marking for listening is also objective where the number of correct answers will determine your band score. Each question is worth one mark. Spelling mistakes will be marked as incorrect so it is important that your spelling is as accurate as possible to score higher.
IELTS listening scores
The IELTS listening scores are very similar to the Academic reading scores, but remember IELTS scores can vary slightly from paper to paper Make sure that you are able to get the score you're aiming for in several different practice tests. If not, you'll need to keep practicing.
See it here.
IELTS speaking scores
The IELTS speaking section is scored on 4 criteria:
Fluency and coherence
Lexical resources
Grammatical range and accuracy
Pronunciation
IELTS band descriptors for speaking can be found HERE
In order to score at a particular band, the IELTS candidate has to fulfill ALL the positive descriptors for that band. For example, at band 7 under fluency and coherence the positive descriptors are:
speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence
may demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or some repetition and/or self-correction
uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility
If a candidate fulfills only 1 or 2 of the descriptors, he or she cannot score an overall band score of 7 for fluency and coherence.
IELTS writing band scores
IELTS task 2 of the exam is worth double the marks of task 1 and there are different band descriptors for each task. As with the speaking test, there are four criteria that are considered:
Task achievement
Coherence and cohesion
Lexical resources
Grammatical range and accuracy.
The band descriptors for Task 1 also include certain criteria that are relevant only for the general test and others that apply only to academic. For example, for the general test, it is important test takers use the right tone (formal or informal) in their letters but for the academic test, students must include an overview in their response in order to be considered for a band 6.
You can find band descriptors for Task 1 here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_task_1_writing_band_descriptors.pdf
and task 2 here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ielts_task_2_writing_band_descriptors.pdf
In order to score at a particular band for the writing section, the candidate has to fulfill ALL the positive descriptors for that band. For example, at band 7 under task achievement for task 2 the positive descriptors are:
Addresses ALL parts of the task
Presents a clear position THROUGHOUT the response
Presents, EXTENDS AND SUPPORTS main ideas
If a candidate fails to fulfill all the positive descriptors for this band, he or she cannot obtain a 7 for task achievement.
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