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To gain admission to the desired university, most students aspiring to study abroad are required to take the IELTS examination. It is crucial for these individuals to comprehend the process of calculating IELTS band scores. This article aims to provide information on the calculation of IELTS band scores.
The IELTS examination consists of four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and test-takers are awarded band scores ranging from 1 to 9. The overall band score is calculated by averaging the scores of these four modules and rounding up to the nearest whole or half band. In this blog, we will cover the evaluation and assessment criteria used to determine IELTS band scores. It is essential for candidates to have a clear understanding of how these scores are marked, so let's begin.
Everything about the IELTS band score can be understood if we first understand what each band score signifies:
The scoring for the listening and reading sections of IELTS is based on the number of correct answers that a candidate gives on the test. A candidate's score is translated onto a scale from 1 to 9 after they're scored out of 40. For example, a 39-40, 37-38, 35-36, 32-34, and 30-31 raw score on the listening portion of the IELTS test translates to a 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, and 7 band score, respectively.
Academic and General Training tests are included in the IELTS reading section. To receive a higher band score in IELTS, a candidate must get a better raw score on the General Training Reading test than on the academic one.
In the IELTS writing and speaking sections, there are two tasks each, and the examinees are assessed on the basis of certain criteria. The examiners award IELTS scores on the basis of four categories: Task Achievement (Task 1) and Task Response (Task 2), Lexical Resource, Coherence, and Cohesion, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
The Speaking section is rated on the basis of Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Pronunciation. Each category is given equal weightage, and the band scores are determined as the sum of scores awarded for each category.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam consists of four sections: Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking. The band score is the sum of the scores in the four sections, and it is then rounded to the nearest half or whole (whichever is closer). For example, if an applicant receives 6.5, 6.5, 5.0, and 7.0 in the four sections, then their average will be 6.25 and the band score will be rounded to the nearest half, which is 6.5.
Suppose another candidate gets 4.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.0 for these sections, their average score will be 3.875. Then their IELTS score will be 4.0.
An individual who receives 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, and 6.0 in these sections will have an average score of 6.125 and a band score of 6.0. If the average finishes at .25, the overall band score will be rounded to the nearest half band, which will be .50. If it ends at .75, it will be rounded to the next whole band.
IELTS Section | Score |
Reading | 6.5 |
Writing | 6.5 |
Listening | 5.5 |
Speaking | 6.0 |
Average of all 4 sections | 6.125 |
Overall Score | 6 |
Before preparing for the IELTS tests, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the IELTS Band Score Chart and scoring system, as your performance level is determined by your IELTS band score. To gain clarity on the assessment criteria and how scores translate into section-wise band scores, go through these following sections below.
There are 40 questions in the IELTS listening section. Every right answer is worth one mark. The band score is determined based on the number of marks out of 40 that a test taker gets. You can see a chart summarizing the relationship between the number of marks and the IELTS listening band score chart in the following table:
Total Marks | General and Academic 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 |
Check out >>>> IELTS Exam Dates 2023: Academic and General Training Dates, Fees, Test Centres
Every correct answer on the IELTS Reading section yields one point. There are 40 questions in the Academic and General Training Reading exams, and they are evaluated on a nine-band scale. The Academic Reading category is graded on the same scale as the General Training Reading category, but the only difference is the text or genre type. On the General Training Reading exam, a higher number of correct answers is required for a good grade, as the vocabulary and content are more challenging. Check out IELTS reading band score chart below:
Total Marks | Academic 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 |
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Total Marks | Academic 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 |
Click here >>> IELTS reading test format, question types and more
There are two tasks in the IELTS Writing Section, and each one is evaluated based on four criteria. Each criterion is weighed equally, and the marks are averaged across them. The criteria are as follows:
Task 1:
Candidates must provide an overview and information in 150 words for Task 1. IELTS assesses the candidate's ability to provide detailed information about illustrations and key features by assessing their ability to express them correctly. The higher the band score, the better the candidate scores. Failing to meet the word count requirement can result in a penalty.
Task 2:
A candidate taking the IELTS Writing section must compose an essay in 250 words in response to an essay-type question. The candidate is assessed on the parts of the essay that use relevant examples to develop the main idea. A deficient word count for Task 2 of the IELTS test can result in a penalty.
Using the correct words and spelling is ensured under this category. Thus, it is advised to avoid using informal language and incorrect terms to achieve a high score under this criterion.
The examiner checks for the candidate's ability to use linking words effectively, use cohesive devices such as conjunctions and connectors, and paragraph properly by marking under this criterion. The number of paragraphs is also evaluated when assessing the essay. Consequently, dividing the essay into too many or too few paragraphs may lead to a poor evaluation.
Proper use of sentences, sentence structure formation, grammar control, the use of simple and complex sentences with clear ideas, and proper punctuation are assessed when scoring under this criterion.
Know More >>> IELTS writing task: Everything you need to know
The three tasks in the IELTS Speaking section are all about face-to-face interaction with the examinee. Each band score is based on specific assessment criteria, and each criterion is weighed equally.
A candidate hoping to perform well on the IELTS Speaking test must employ a wide range of grammatical structures correctly. Copying a limited set of grammatically correct sentences will not be sufficient to achieve a high score. It is important to demonstrate the correct use of a variety of grammatical structures, such as simple, compound, and complex sentences in balanced proportions.
A wide range of tenses, modals used for different purposes, active and passive voice, connectors used to link several thoughts, comparative and superlative adjectives, and subordinate and relative clauses are evaluated when scoring for grammatical range and correctness.
A candidate's ability to speak fluently without noticeable hesitation, pauses, or repetition, as well as their ability to make the message easy to understand, is assessed. In terms of coherence, their ability to link between and within sentences while speaking and to make the listener follow their thoughts is assessed.
The factors that contribute to higher scores in Fluency and Coherence are listed below.
A candidate's lexical resource is the range of vocabulary used. In order to achieve high scores on this parameter, one should employ fewer common phrases and idiomatic language, using a natural tone and a wide range of vocabulary.
There are several reasons why Lexical Resource scores higher.
When taking the IELTS test, candidates should be aware that pronunciation and accent are two different things. The examinee should speak in a manner that is clear and distinct so that the examiner can focus on the larger issues. To score high on the IELTS test, you should make certain you have these characteristics.
Click to Learn More >>> IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics _ Samples with Answers 2023
To get a high score in IELTS, you need to thoroughly prepare yourself and need to follow these steps:
Click to know more >>>
A Guide to the IELTS Exam: What is IELTS and how to prepare for it?
The above-discussed information covers everything about the different band scores in IELTS. Therefore, aspiring candidates must closely review the evaluation standards and band descriptors to set their objectives and strive for the highest possible IELTS band score.
The Edmissions team is here to provide you with help throughout the college application process. Before you submit your application to your desired college or university, it is recommended that you get in touch with a Edmissions specialist by registering on the website
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For the four components of the test—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—you will receive a score ranging from 1 to 9. Your overall band score is determined by the average. In each section of the test, you can receive a score in whole (5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands.
You can easily get good scores in IELTS Reading and Listening section with proper practice.
The IELTS Exam is not considered particularly difficult. However, individuals who have not utilized test preparation resources, such as listening to English music or watching English television shows, may find the first section of the exam challenging. The level of difficulty ultimately depends on an individual's level of preparation.
An IELTS score holds its validity for a period of two years, which allows individuals to apply for university admissions or employment opportunities. However, it is important to note that the eligibility criteria may differ among universities and that test results must be submitted as proof of eligibility.
The IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria is utilized by examiners for both the General Training and Academic tests. This criterion encompasses Task Achievement (Task 1) or Task Response (Task 2), Cohesion and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range, and Accuracy, and is essential for evaluating the writing skills of test-takers. No information is left out while assessing the IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria.
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