Understanding IELTS test scores
When you receive a Test Report Form you will see your overall test score as well as your scores for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the test.
Overall band score
The overall band score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band.
IELTS band scores
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.
Section band scores
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.
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 and how examiners assess the Speaking section.
Section band scores
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.
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 and how examiners assess the Speaking section.
How long is my IELTS score valid?
We recommend that IELTS test results are considered valid for two years after a test has been taken. This is based on research into second-language loss. Organisations that accept IELTS can choose to accept results for a longer period, so you should check with them directly.
