IELTS Band Score Criteria 2024: Section Wise Best IELTS Scores

If you are planning to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, understanding the band score criteria is crucial.

Each of the four sections will be scored on a scale of 1 to 9, and in addition to that, you will receive an overall band score. 

A “good” IELTS band score is 7.0 or higher. A band 7.0 is defined as a “good user“, a band 8.0 a “very good user“, and a 9.0 an “expert” user.

It will take less than two weeks to get the IELTS results.

In this blog, we will explore IELTS band score criteria, focusing on each section to comprehensively understand how your scores are assessed.

What are IELTS Band Scores, and how are they calculated?

In the IELTS test, you will receive an IELTS band score from 1 to 9 for each section – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Your Overall IELTS Band Score is calculated by averaging these scores. In each part of the test, you can achieve whole bands (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half bands (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5).

Let’s look at an example:

Listening	7
Reading	6
Writing	6
Speaking	6.5
IELTS Band Score	6.5

IELTS Band Score Descriptor

Here is the IELTS band scores chart to understand the descriptor for each band score (0-9):

IELTS BAND SCORE	SKILL LEVEL	WHAT IT INDICATES
9	Expert user	Has a complete understanding of English.
8	Very good user	Good hold on English; possibilities or minimum errors.
7	Good User	Can communicate effortlessly; might experience some misunderstandings
6	Competent User	Can communicate with a little effort, especially in familiar situations
5	Modest user	Cannot use complex forms of English. Experiences problems in expressing.
4	Limited User	Experiences problems in expressing themselves in writing or speaking.
3	Extremely limited user	Experiences frequent interruptions while speaking and understanding English
2	Intermittent user	Experiences extreme difficulty in speaking and writing English
1	Non-user	No knowledge of the language except for a few commonly used words
0	Test not attempted	The test taker has not provided any information for the assessment

IELTS Band Score Section-wise Assessment Criteria

Your IELTS band score determines your performance level.

It is ideal to properly understand the IELTS Band Score Chart and the scoring system before preparing for the test.

The following sections will give you a clear idea of the assessment criteria and how the scores translate into a section-wise band score:

IELTS Reading

The reading section consists of 40 questions. If you get one correct answer, you get a raw score of one.

The IELTS reading raw score is calculated based on the total number of correct answers out of 40.

The IELTS academic reading scores will probably be whole bands like 4, 5, 8, 7, etc., or half bands like 5.5, 7.5, 6.5, etc.

If the decimal portion is more than 0.25, the score will be rounded to the upper value. If the decimal point is below, the midpoints will be rounded off to the lower value, i.e. 7.2 will be rounded as 7.

IELTS Reading Band Scores

Here’s how you can calculate your IELTS reading band score:

Band Score	Raw Score out of 40
9	39-40
8.5	37-38
8	35-36
7.5	33-34
7	30-32
6.5	27-29
6	23-26
5.5	19-22
5	15-18
4.5	13-14
4	10-12
3.5	8-9
3	6-7

IELTS Listening

The IELTS listening section consists of 40 questions.

If you get one correct answer, you get a raw score of one. The raw listening score is calculated by adding the total number of correct answers out of 40.

The final IELTS band score is calculated by converting the raw scores to the band scale of 1-9. Like the reading section, the scores are in whole and half bands.

IELTS Listening Bands Scores Table

Here’s how you can calculate your IELTS listening band score:

Band Score	Raw Score out of 40
9	39-40
8.5	37-38
8	35-36
7.5	33-34
7	30-32
6.5	27-29
6	23-26
5.5	19-22
5	15-18
4.5	13-14
4	10-12
3.5	8-9
3	6-7

IELTS Speaking

You’ll engage in a face-to-face interview with the examiner in the IELTS speaking test. 

Your band score for this section will be assessed based on specific criteria. Let’s explore these criteria and understand how you can excel in each aspect:

• Fluency & Coherence: This evaluation focuses on how confidently and smoothly you speak. Begin your answers with confidence and communicate your thoughts. Avoid using fillers like ‘umm’ or ‘uh.’ If you need a moment to gather your thoughts, pause briefly before responding. Think about your answer, and then deliver it with ease.

• Lexical Resource: Your vocabulary is under scrutiny in this section. Aim to demonstrate a wide range of words and expressions to articulate your ideas effectively. Learn idioms and their proper usage in sentences to enrich your responses.

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: The speaking test also assesses Your grammatical proficiency. To excel in this category, dedicate time to learn various grammatical structures during your IELTS preparation. Be well-versed in the different parts of speech to construct accurate and coherent sentences.

• Pronunciation: Pay close attention to the pronunciation of each word. Ensure you use words from your vocabulary correctly and pronounce them clearly. Practice speaking aloud to refine your pronunciation skills.

Remember, all these criteria carry equal weight in determining your IELTS Band Score. It’s an average of your performance in each measure.

IELTS Speaking Band Scores Table

IELTS Band scores for speaking calculate the mean of all four criteria (For Instance: 6+7+6+8/4=7). The decimal portion is more than 0.25 and is rounded off to the upper value and midpoints to the lower value.

Here is an example of an IELTS band score chart of speaking to provide you with an idea:

Fluency and Coherence	7
Pronunciation	6
Lexical Resource	8
Grammatical range and accuracy	8
Total IELTS Speaking Score	7

IELTS Writing

The IELTS Writing test comprises two tasks. These tasks are evaluated using the below criteria:

Task Achievement: The tasks in the writing section have a set of directives. You must follow them and complete your tasks efficiently. To score well in this section, ensure you understand the instructions.

Coherence & Cohesion: This section evaluates your writing skills. You must form sentences properly and format your writing with well-organised paragraphs. Form simple, compound, and complex sentences, as required. 

Lexical Resource: The writing section also evaluates your vocabulary. You must have an adequate range of vocabulary and must be able to express yourself efficiently. Knowledge of idioms and how to use them correctly is a bonus–

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: The writing section evaluates the test-taker’s grammatical accuracy. To score a good IELTS band score in this category, learn the basics and different structures of grammar during your preparation. 

IELTS Writing Band Scores table

IELTS Writing Score is calculated by the mean of the four assessment criteria (For Instance: 6+7+&+8/4=7). 

Here is the IELTS writing band score chart to provide you with an idea:

Task Achievement	8
Lexical Resource	7
Coherence & Cohesion	8
Grammatical range and accuracy	8
Total IELTS Speaking Score	8

How to improve your final IELTS band score?

To excel in your IELTS exam and achieve a high score, it’s crucial to approach your preparation with a comprehensive strategy. 

Here are some essential steps you can take to maximize your test scores:

• Master the Basics of Grammar: Strengthen your foundation in grammar by reviewing the rules and structures of the English language. Understanding grammar will enable you to construct clear and accurate sentences.
• Practice Different Parts of Speech: Learn various parts of speech like nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. Practicing their usage will enhance your ability to express yourself fluently and precisely.
• Expand Your Vocabulary: Commit to learning at least five new words daily. Take the time to understand their meanings and usage in context. A rich vocabulary will elevate the quality of your responses.
• Improve Reading Skills: Read aloud from study guides, newspapers, and books regularly. This exercise will enhance your comprehension and aid in pronunciation and fluency.
• Hone Your Writing Skills: Practice writing essays and short reviews on different topics, such as books or entertainment. This practice will refine your writing style and help you effectively convey your ideas.
• Enhance Listening Skills: Engage with English podcasts and educational programs to develop your listening abilities. Focus on understanding different accents and nuances in spoken English.
• Use a Dictionary: Whenever you encounter an unfamiliar word or phrase, make it a habit to look it up. Expanding your lexical resources will boost your overall language proficiency.
• Take Mock Tests: Take advantage of mock tests as they provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses. Regularly assessing your performance will help you identify areas that need improvement.

Wrapping up

The IELTS band score concept’s main focus is the sectional scores with specific details. Most top universities follow the IELTS band score chart of around 7.0 – 7.5, which is among the highest IELTS scores.

In addition to the steps mentioned above, consider seeking expert help to enhance your IELTS preparation further. 

Confused? That’s where Leap Scholar steps in. You can download the IELTS Prep app, where our study abroad experts have prepared special lessons for you.

• Get personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs.
• Get targeted feedback to help you identify areas of improvement.
• Know effective strategies to enhance your performance.

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