We want to make sure your applicants have the English skills you need for success at your organisation.
By having a good understanding of the IELTS assessment and what the IELTS band scores mean, you can:
- make informed and quick decisions
- recruit applicants who will thrive
- provide suitable English language support
- improve your retention rate.
We provide a wealth of resources to support you.
Overall IELTS band scores
When you receive an IELTS Test Report Form you will see the test taker's overall test score as well as their scores for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the test.
The Overall Band Score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band.
IELTS Band Score: 9 — Skill Level: Expert
- The test taker has fully operational command of the language.
- Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.
IELTS Band Score: 8 — Skill Level: Very good
- The test taker has 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.
IELTS Band Score: 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.
IELTS Band Score: 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.
IELTS Band Score: 5 — Skill Level: Modest
- The test taker has a 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 own field.
IELTS Band Score: 4 — Skill Level: Limited
- The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations.
- They frequently show problems in understanding and expression.
IELTS Band Score: 3 — Skill Level: Extremely limited
- The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations.
- There are frequent breakdowns in communication.
IELTS Band Score: 2 — Skill Level: Intermittent
- The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
IELTS Band Score: 1 — Skill Level: Non-user
- The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.
IELTS Band Score: 0 — Skill Level: Did not attempt the test
- The test taker did not answer the questions.
IELTS section band scores
Different roles and courses demand varying levels of language skills across the following four areas. Our band scores help you match these skills to your organisation’s requirements.
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Listening section. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.
Marks out of 40
- Band Score 5: Listening 16
- Band Score 6: Listening 23
- Band Score 7: Listening 30
- Band Score 8: Listening 35
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The IELTS Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The Academic Reading test may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.
Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Academic Reading, and General Training Reading sections. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.
Marks out of 40
Academic
- Band Score 5: Reading 15
- Band Score 6: Reading 23
- Band Score 7: Reading 30
- Band Score 8: Reading 35
General Training
- Band Score 4: Reading 15
- Band Score 5: Reading 23
- Band Score 6: Reading 30
- Band Score 7: Reading 35
Examiners use assessment criteria to award 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.
Find out more about the key assessment criteria (PDF 111 KB - 4 pages) and how examiners assess the Writing section (PDF 142 KB - 9 pages).
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 carry equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking. Find out more about the key assessment criteria (PDF 111 KB - 4 pages) and how examiners assess the Speaking section (PDF 103 KB - 4 pages).
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Listening section. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.
Marks out of 40
- Band Score 5: Listening 16
- Band Score 6: Listening 23
- Band Score 7: Listening 30
- Band Score 8: Listening 35
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The IELTS Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The Academic Reading test may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.
Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Academic Reading, and General Training Reading sections. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.
Marks out of 40
Academic
- Band Score 5: Reading 15
- Band Score 6: Reading 23
- Band Score 7: Reading 30
- Band Score 8: Reading 35
General Training
- Band Score 4: Reading 15
- Band Score 5: Reading 23
- Band Score 6: Reading 30
- Band Score 7: Reading 35
Examiners use assessment criteria to award 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.
Find out more about the key assessment criteria (PDF 111 KB - 4 pages) and how examiners assess the Writing section (PDF 142 KB - 9 pages).
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 carry equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking. Find out more about the key assessment criteria (PDF 111 KB - 4 pages) and how examiners assess the Speaking section (PDF 103 KB - 4 pages).
How to set IELTS scores for success
Whether your organisation is already using IELTS, or you are setting your scores for the first time, you will need to think about reviewing and setting your test scores for applicants well ahead of your peak recruitment season.
Follow our step-by-step guide to setting effective scores
1. Form a decision-making unit
The first step in this process is to form a group of expert colleagues from across your organisation. This group can provide multiple perspectives on the English language skills that prospective applicants will need.
If your organisation has an English language centre, we highly recommend including them for their expertise in language assessment and pedagogy.
2. Review evidence and our resources
We have a wealth of materials to help you understand the IELTS test and what to expect from the different levels.
Access a variety of resources to help set your score requirements including:
- sample questions
- sample answers with examiner comments
- marking criteria
- band score descriptors.
Guidance for educational institutions
The table below gives guidance on acceptable IELTS band score requirements for different programmes.
Keep in mind that English-language ability is not proof of an individual's overall academic capability: there are many elements that may affect a student's performance.
By setting a relevant IELTS entry score for your applicants, you can be confident that their English skills will not stop them thriving.
IELTS scale score: 7.5-9.0
- Linguistically demanding academic courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding academic courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically demanding training courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding training courses: Acceptable
IELTS scale score: 7.0
- Linguistically demanding academic courses: Probably acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding academic courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically demanding training courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding training courses: Acceptable
IELTS scale score: 6.5
- Linguistically demanding academic courses: English study needed
- Linguistically less demanding academic courses: Probably acceptable
- Linguistically demanding training courses: Acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding training courses: Acceptable
IELTS scale score: 6.0
- Linguistically demanding academic courses: English study needed
- Linguistically less demanding academic courses: English study needed
- Linguistically demanding training courses: Probably acceptable
- Linguistically less demanding training courses: Acceptable
IELTS scale score: 5.5
- Linguistically demanding academic courses: English study needed
- Linguistically less demanding academic courses: English study needed
- Linguistically demanding training courses: English study needed
- Linguistically demanding training courses: Probably acceptable
3. Run a score setting workshop
Bring your group together to agree on your English language proficiency requirements by discussing these key questions:
- How important is English language ability for success at our organisation?
- Are we getting enough good applicants with our current requirements?
- What level of English do applicants actually need for different tasks?
- Do applicants with higher English scores perform better at our organisation?
- Will our requirements prepare applicants well for their future jobs?
- Are our requirements fair and inclusive?
4. Communicate your decision
After setting your scores, you should communicate your English language proficiency requirements both internally to staff and externally to potential applicants.
Update your website and social media channels with the test(s) you accept and your latest score requirements.
Make sure to inform IELTS too so we can update our website that’s visited by millions of people every year.
5. Use the IELTS Results Service
Once everyone is clear on what your scores are, get your score processing team set up for success. We recommend every result you receive is checked using our IELTS Results Service.
The online resource is a secure, free, and easy way to check applicants’ IELTS test scores.
Looking for further guidance?
If you’re an educational institution or professional service, we recommend you download our handy score setting guide.
How long are IELTS scores valid for?
IELTS recommends that an IELTS result demonstrates a test taker’s English language ability for a maximum of two years. This is based upon the well-documented theory of second language loss or 'attrition’.
We recommend that an IELTS Test Report Form which is more than two years old should only be accepted if it is accompanied by proof that the test taker has actively maintained, or tried to improve, their English.
Findings from our research shows that most institutions agree with our recommendation of two years.
We are here to help
We understand the vital importance of setting the correct entry criteria for your organisation.
IELTS tests are supported by decades of research, and our team of experts are here to help. If your organisation accepts IELTS and other language tests, we can ensure you have the concordance data and expert support to set or adjust scores fairly.