IELTS Validity 2023: Ultimate Guide On Score Validity For Different Countries

Students looking to study, live or work in English-speaking countries need to demonstrate their language skills beforehand. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is outlined to help students achieve this dream. Therefore, students wanting to study abroad must know all the aspects of this test, including the IELTS Validity. 

An Overview of IELTS Band Scores

The IELTS test consists of four sections – reading, writing, listening and speaking. Each of these sections forms 25% of the total IELTS band score. Hence, each section holds equal importance.

The test is evaluated through band scores that range from 0 to 9, with each number indicating a distinct English proficiency level. Students taking the exam will receive band scores for each section and also an overall band score. For instance, a band score of 6 shows that the candidate is skilled. Despite certain errors and misconceptions, the student holds an efficient command of the English language.

For detailed knowledge of IELTS band scores, refer to the table below:

Level of skill	Band level	Remarks
Expert	9	Appropriate and accurate command over the language
Very good	8	Fully operational command over the English language with a few occasional mistakes
Good	7	Operational command over the language with mistakes in certain parts
Competent	6	Practical knowledge of the language. Fair understanding of complex language
Modest	5	Partial language command and coping capacity in most situations
Limited	4	Recurrent misconceptions in understanding. Inability to use complex language
Extremely limited	3	Understanding of only general meanings. Faces recurrent breakdown during communication
Intermittent	2	Real communication is impossible. Faces difficulty in writing, speaking and understating the language
Non-user	1	No capacity to use English
No attempt	0	Did not attempt the test/no record found

Before moving to the IELTS Validity Score, let us decode the assessment criteria for each section.

IELTS Writing Test Score

IELTS writing test is assessed by top experts in their field. Typically, the writing test gets marked by two or more examiners to maintain the highest degree of fairness.

The test examines both the writing tasks using these four criteria:

Criteria	Details
Task 1 – Achievement	• Providing accurate information • Presenting an overview • Highlight of key stages/features
Task 2 – Response	• Answering the questions by addressing the given task • Stating main position and opinions, if asked • Adding a conclusion
Coherence & Cohesion	• Formulating ideas into paragraphs • Gathering one central idea in each of the paragraphs • Utilising various linking devices
Lexical Resource	• Using various paragraphs and words • Utilising collocations • Spellings
Grammar Accuracy & Range	• Using a wide range of sentence structures • Use of different grammar tenses • Punctuations

IELTS Speaking Test Score

The speaking test focuses on general conversations. These are the conversations that everyone has in their daily lives, but in English. Test takers are seated in a private room, and a certified examiner starts a conversation. The examiner then uses the following factors to determine your English speaking skills:

1. Fluency & Coherence

2. Pronunciation

3. Lexical Resource

4. Accuracy

5. Grammatical Range

The marking criteria for the speaking section are mentioned below:

Criteria	Details
Fluency	• Speaking without hesitations or pauses • Easily understandable • Talking without correcting oneself
Grammar Accuracy & Range	• Using different structures of sentences • Making use of different grammar tenses • Staying free of errors
Lexical Resource	• Using various ranges of words and paraphrasing • Use of collocations • Deploying distinct vocabulary
Pronunciation	• Easily understood by the examiner • Using intonation • Accurate pronunciation of words and sounds

IELTS Reading Test Score

Candidates get 40 questions to answer in this section. The question types include multiple choices, true and false, sentence finishing, and matching. In this section, the assessment is done differently since the answers can be completely right or wrong.

Each correct answer provides the candidate with one mark.

The band score chart given below will provide knowledge on the academic and general training reading assessments:

General Training Reading Score	Median Marks Required	Academic Reading Score	Median Marks Required
4	15 out of 40	–	–
5	23 out of 40	5	15 out of 40
6	30 out of 40	6	23 out of 40
7	34 out of 40	7	30 out of 40
8	38 out of 40	8	35 out of 40

IELTS Listening Test Score

This section has 40 questions. All of them are audio samples, and the assessment in this section is done differently from the writing and speaking sections.

Mentioned below is the band chart score that details the raw score required for a given band:

Score	Median Marks Required
5	16
6	23
7	30
8	35

Validity of the IELTS Score

After completing the exam, candidates receive the test results within 5 to 7 days. However, for the offline method, this can stretch up to 13 days.

Further, IELTS Validity lasts for two years after the candidate receives the result.

The reason for the IELTS Validity Score staying for only two years is to ensure that the originality of the knowledge stays intact. Since individuals tend to forget things with time, higher time validity can deteriorate candidates’ knowledge.

IELTS Scores Validity for Different Countries

Candidates can appear for the IELTS exam as many times as they wish in a year. They can also submit their best or the recent test result to extend the validity date. However, they should note that the validity of this score differs from the country. The IELTS Validity of certificates of the major countries is listed below:

Canada

The validity of the IELTS score for Canada is for two years. However, in the case of Canadian immigration, candidates need to submit their IELTS Validity within a year of submitting the admission application.

Australia

Previously, the IELTS Validity score was two years for GSM or Australian General Skilled Migrations. However, it was later extended to three years. This extension is a part of the various changes incorporated in the GSM visa programme.

US & UK

As many as 3,400 US institutions accept the IELTS score. The IELTS Validity period in the USA, as well as the UK, is for two years.

IELTS Score Acceptability

After knowing the IELTS Validity, interested candidates must also know the accepted IELTS scores across top universities worldwide. The minimum IELTS band requirements are country-specific. These are the scores accepted by different countries:

UK

Individuals need to get at least 6.5 bands in IELTS for a bachelor’s and a postgraduate degree in the UK. However, some top tier universities, such as the University of Oxford, accept a minimum band score of around 7-7.5 for their courses.

US

The minimum IELTS score requirements depend on universities. For instance, competitive universities ask for a minimum band score of 7. Some other universities, on the other hand, can accept a 6 band score as well.

Australia

In Australia, band scores depend on the chosen course. For instance, a medical course may require candidates to have a minimum score of 7. For a bachelor’s course, the minimum IELTS score is around 6, and for postgraduate students, the band score can be around 6.5.

New Zealand

For diploma courses in New Zealand, candidates need to have an overall IELTS score of 5.5. The band score for undergraduate and postgraduate courses is around 6.5. However, for a few technical courses like engineering, a university may ask for a minimum score of 7.

France

French universities are not so stringent about band scores. The average score that most universities ask for is 6-6.5. Moreover, there are several universities like ISC Paris that do not ask for IELTS scores.

Ireland

Most universities in Ireland demand a minimum score of 5.5 to 6 for undergraduate courses. For postgraduate programmes, the average score across various universities is around 6 to 6.5.

Tips to Score High in the IELTS Exam

Prospective candidates must follow these steps to score higher in their IELTS exam:

Step 1: Know A to Z about the Exam

Individuals must make sure that they know about the exam date, timings, IELTS Validity time, structure, and the type of questions asked. This will encourage them to try even harder when preparing for the test.

Step 2: Polish One’s Vocabulary

It is not possible to learn every English word. However, regular practice can help a candidate identify a substantial amount of words in the test.

Step 3: Master Pre-writing Skill

Pre-writing is noting and drawing a diagram before speaking or writing in English. In the speaking section, the candidate is required to give a brief presentation on the topic after pre-writing. Here, preparing notes and diagrams on the topic can help boost this section’s score.

Step 4: Practice, Practice & Practice

Success stories of all great people begin with practice. One should constantly lookout for ways to improve their command of the English language. Reading newspapers, online articles, books, and English programmes are a few ways to enhance one’s English skills.

Conclusion

Pursuing an education abroad is an expensive affair and at Leap Scholar, we believe that the ‘cost factor’ should not affect the dreams of students. Since its inception, we have funded more than 3000 students and are determined to carry your dreams on our shoulders. So, if cost is a major concern for you, approach us for education loans and build your future without hassle.