So you’ve decided to take the IELTS test. Before you set your target, it’s important to understand the IELTS Band Score, the system that measures your English proficiency. You know you need a certain score, but the system of “bands” can seem confusing. What is a Band 7? How is it different from a Band 8? And how is your final, overall IELTS band score actually calculated?
Understanding the scoring system is the first step toward achieving your goal. A clear understanding removes anxiety and helps you focus your preparation where it matters most.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail. We’ll break down the 9-band scale, show you how each section is marked, and explain what your final IELTS score card says about your English abilities.
What is The IELTS Band Scale?
The IELTS test does not use a percentage-based score. Instead, it uses a 9-band scale to measure your English language proficiency. Each band corresponds to a specific level of English competence. Scores are reported in whole bands (e.g., 6.0, 7.0) and half bands (e.g., 6.5, 7.5).
Here is the official IELTS band score chart and what each band means:
| IELTS Band Score | Skill Level | A Simple Explanation |
| 9 | Expert User | You have a full and masterful command of the English language. Your use of it is completely natural, accurate, and fluent. |
| 8 | Very Good User | You have a fully operational command of the language with only rare, minor errors. You handle complex arguments well. |
| 7 | Good User | You have an effective command of the language, though you may have some inaccuracies or misunderstandings in very demanding situations. |
| 6 | Competent User | You have a generally effective command of the language. You can use and understand fairly complex English, especially in familiar situations, but you still make noticeable errors. |
| 5 | Modest User | You have a partial command of the language and can cope with basic communication in your own field, but you are likely to make many mistakes. |
| 4-Below | Limited / Basic User | Your competence is limited to very familiar situations. You have frequent problems in understanding and expression. |
| 1 | Non-user | You have no real ability to use the language beyond a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Did Not Attempt | You did not answer any questions. |
How Your Final IELTS Band Score Is Actually Calculated
Your final result is not just one number; it’s five. You will receive an individual band score for each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), plus an overall band score.
The overall IELTS band score is the average of your four individual skill scores. This average is then rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
The Rounding Rules:
The rounding rule is simple and always benefits the test taker.
- If the average of your four scores ends in .25, your overall score is rounded up to the next half band.
- If the average of your four scores ends in .75, your overall score is rounded up to the next whole band.
An IELTS Band Score Calculator Example:
Let’s imagine a student gets the following scores:
- Listening: 8.0
- Reading: 7.5
- Writing: 6.5
- Speaking: 7.0
- Add the scores together: 8.0 + 7.5 + 6.5 + 7.0 = 29.0
- Divide by four: 29.0 ÷ 4 = 7.25
- Apply the rounding rule: Since the average ends in .25, it is rounded up.
- Final Overall Band Score: 7.5
This is the score that will appear on the student’s IELTS score card.
How Listening and Reading Scores Are Calculated
Calculating your IELTS Listening band score and Reading band score is the most direct part of the system.
Both of these tests contain 40 questions. Your final band score is based on how many of these questions you answer correctly. This is known as your “raw score.”
- 1 point for every correct answer.
- 0 points for incorrect or blank answers. There is no penalty for guessing.
This raw score is then converted to a band score from 1 to 9. While the conversion can vary slightly from test to test, the tables below give a very good indication of how many correct answers you need.
Note: The Reading test is different for Academic and General Training modules, so the score conversion is also different.
How Your Listening Answers Turn Into a Band Score (Same for Academic & GT)
| Correct Answers (Raw Score) | IELTS Band Score |
| 39-40 | 9.0 |
| 35-36 | 8.0 |
| 30-31 | 7.0 |
| 23-25 | 6.0 |
How Reading Scores Are Converted (Academic vs. GT)
| Band Score | Academic Reading (Correct Answers) | General Training Reading (Correct Answers) |
| 8.0 | 35-36 | 37-38 |
| 7.0 | 30-32 | 34-35 |
| 6.0 | 23-26 | 30-31 |
| 5.0 | 15-18 | 23-26 |
How Examiners Score Your Writing and Speaking
Unlike the objective Listening and Reading tests, your Writing and Speaking performances are graded by certified IELTS examiners. To ensure fairness, they use a detailed set of assessment criteria. Your final IELTS score in these sections is an average of your performance across four key areas.
What Examiners Look For When Scoring Your Writing (Each is worth 25%)
- Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2): Did you do what the question asked? For Task 1, this means accurately describing the data in the chart or graph. For Task 2, it means addressing all parts of the essay prompt with a clear and well-supported position.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Is your writing well-organized and easy to follow? This looks at your paragraphing and your use of linking words (like “however,” “in addition”) to connect your ideas smoothly.
- Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): How good is your vocabulary? Examiners look for a wide range of words used accurately. Using less common words and topic-specific vocabulary will help you get a higher band score.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Can you use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex) with a high degree of accuracy? The more error-free and complex your sentences are, the higher your score.
What Examiners Listen For When Scoring Your Speaking (Each is worth 25%)
- Fluency and Coherence: How smoothly and naturally do you speak? This includes speaking at a good pace without too much hesitation and linking your ideas logically.
- Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): Do you use a good range of vocabulary to talk about different topics? This includes using idioms and less common words correctly.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Do you use a mix of simple and complex grammar structures with few mistakes?
- Pronunciation: Are you easy to understand? This isn’t about your accent. It’s about clear individual sounds, word stress, and intonation that make your meaning clear.
How to Plan Your IELTS Preparation
The most important step in your preparation is to know the IELTS band score you need. Universities, immigration bodies, and employers will have specific requirements, sometimes for the overall score and sometimes for individual skills.
Once you know your target, you can create a focused study plan. The very first step on that journey is to find out where you are right now.
Ready to discover your current IELTS score?
👉 Take a free full IELTS Mock Test and get a clear picture of of where you stand.
