IELTS Band Score Assessment Criteria will help you understand your IELTS score for each part of the IELTS test.
IELTS band score calculation
IELTS score calculated on the basis of performance in the IELTS exam. If your performance is better, then you will get better band score in your exam. Your IELTS score is depended on all four modules such as Listening, Writing, Speaking and Reading. If you have no required skills to take different tests based on modules then you are not going to get your dreamed score.
See >> IELTS Certificate Sample
IELTS score ranges from 1 to 9 for each part of the test. The individual result from these four parts will produce an overall band score. The overall IELTS band score is the average score of all skill tests. You can calculate your overall band score here > IELTS Score Calculator
| Overall IELTS Band Score | |
| Listening | Reading |
|---|---|
| 8 | 6.5 |
| Writing | Speaking |
| 7.5 | 7 |
| Overall: 7.5 | |
- If your overall IELTS score is an average of 6.25, your score will be increased to 6.5.
- If your overall IELTS score is an average of 6.75, your score will be increased to 7.
- If your overall IELTS score is 6.1, your score will go down to 6.
- Your score is rounded up or down to the nearest 0.5 or whole score as shown above.
IELTS band scale description
The following table gives a description of each band score with information about the level of English.
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | Expert user | You have a full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and you show complete understanding. |
| Band 8 | Very good user | You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well. |
| Band 7 | Good user | You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent user | Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest user | You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field. |
| Band 4 | Limited user | Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language. |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user | You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user | You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-user | You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | You did not answer the questions. |
Related >> IELTS scoring system with explanation
IELTS Listening Score Assessment
Your listening and reading scores are calculated by the number of correct answers you have out of the 40 questions in the IELTS test. You do not lose points for incorrect answers.
| Correct Answer | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 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 |
IELTS Reading Score Academic Assessment
| Correct Answer | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39-40 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 |
| 33-34 | 7.5 |
| 30-32 | 7 |
| 27-29 | 6.5 |
| 23-26 | 6 |
| 19-22 | 5.5 |
| 15-18 | 5 |
| 13-14 | 4.5 |
| 10-12 | 4 |
| 8-9 | 3.5 |
| 6-7 | 3 |
| 4-5 | 2.5 |
IELTS Reading Score General Assessment
| Correct Answer | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 40 | 9 |
| 39 | 8.5 |
| 37-38 | 8 |
| 36 | 7.5 |
| 34-35 | 7 |
| 32-33 | 6.5 |
| 30-31 | 6 |
| 27-29 | 5.5 |
| 23-26 | 5 |
| 19-22 | 4.5 |
| 15-18 | 4 |
| 12-14 | 3.5 |
| 9-11 | 3 |
| 6-8 | 2.5 |
IELTS Writing Score Assessment
Both writing task 1 and task 2 are assessed using 4 criteria. Please see the table below for details of each marking criteria.
| Writing Task 1 achievement | Presenting accurate information Providing an overview Highlighting key features/ stages Supporting detail with data |
| Writing Task 2 response | Addressing the task (answering the questions) Giving relevant main points which are supported and developed Giving a clear position (stating an opinion when asked) Providing a conclusion |
| Coherence and cohesion | Organizing information/ ideas into paragraphs Having one central idea in each paragraphs Using a range of linking devices |
| Lexical resource | Using a range of words and paraphrasing Using collections Spelling Avoid errors |
| Grammar range and accuracy | Using a range of sentence structures Using a range of grammar tenses Punctuation Avoiding errors |
IELTS speaking score Assessment
Below are the marking criteria for IELTS speaking.
| Fluency | Talking at length Talking without pauses or hesitations Talking without self correction Able to be understood Using linking devices |
| Lexical resource | Using a range of words and paraphrasing Using collections Using less common vocabulary Avoiding errors |
| Grammar range and accuracy | Using a range of sentence structures Using a range of grammar tenses Avoiding errors |
| Pronunciation | Able to be understood throughout the test Able to use intonation Accent does not affects understanding Accurate word and sound pronunciation |
Related IELTS Resources
Take a practice test to find out what is your current weakness in terms of IELTS scale and allow more time to improve your weak spots. The following IELTS resources will help you to develop your skills faster: