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 Speaking Scores
The IELTS speaking section is scored on 4 criteria:
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resources
- Grammatical range and accuracy
- Pronunciation
IELTS Band Descriptors
Image from the official IELTS site.
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, and Task 2 here.
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.
Stuck at 6.5
Interestingly, from my own personal experience (Ben Worthington), and after talking with numerous other ex-IELTS examiners, I can share some additional information on the marking criteria.
At the moment (July 2022), the writing grading is still quite subjective, for example one ex-examiner said that she could grade an essay a 6, while another examiner could grade it a 7, and they both would be right.
Also, another examiner mentioned that although numerically the distance between a band score 6.5 and a 7 is 0.5, in reality it is much greater. In other words the distance between 6.5 and a 7, is far greater than a 6 to a 6.5.
This probably explains some of the frustration students feel while preparing for IELTS.
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
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
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.
Listening Test – Raw Score Conversion
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to calculate overall band score in IELTS?
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. For example
7.0 + 8.0 + 6.0 + 7.0 = 28 (Total of all four modules)
28 / 4 = 7 (Average of the total score)
What is a band in IELTS?
A band in IELTS is a system used to score you on the IELTS test based on your marks. IELTS test is scored between Band 1 and 9. Overall scores are rounded up to the nearest .5 For example,
An average of 6.75 is rounded up to Band 7
An average of 5.25 is rounded up to Band 5.5
How to get band 7 in IELTS?
- Work on your language and exam skills
- Be very aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
- Know your current level by taking a practice IELTS test.
- Get feedback from experts.