IELTS Band Calculator
IELTS Band Score: Section-wise Breakdown
Would you like to understand the calculation of your IELTS band score? The scores range from 0 to 9, including increments of 0.5, such as 5.5 or 6.5.
A specific IELTS band score chart is employed for each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Your overall score is determined by averaging your scores across these four sections.
IELTS Band Score: Listening
In the listening section, there are 40 questions. If you get a question right, you get one mark. The most you can get is 40, and the least is 0.
The marks then are changed into the IELTS band scale, which goes from 0 to 9. The total correct answers will determine your 'raw' score, from which your band score will be determined. It is very important to try to answer every question, as a blank answer will get no marks.
The below IELTS listening band score shows the bands rewarded to you based on the number of questions correctly answered by you in listening skills:
IELTS Listening Scores
| Raw Score out of 40 | 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 |
| 23-25 | 4.5 |
| 11-12 | 4 |
The IELTS Listening band score tables presented here illustrate the typical number of marks necessary to attain a specific IELTS band score. The actual scores may exhibit slight variations from one test to another, attributable to differences in the listening questions used on different occasions.
A band score below 4 (3/2/1/0) means you are a limited or Intermittent user.
IELTS Band Score: Reading
The reading test also has 40 questions. If you answer correctly, you get one mark. The best you can do is 40, and the lowest is 0. They convert these marks to the IELTS band scale.
There are two kinds of reading tests: Academic and General Training. The Academic test is harder, with tougher words, so you need more right answers for a high score.
The Reading part of the IELTS test will be different from the Academic and General Training tests. However, the number of questions and the question types will remain the same for IELTS test types.
The table below shows the bands given to you based on the number of questions you correctly answered in Reading Skills for the Academic test:
IELTS Reading Scores (Academic)
| Raw Score out of 40 | 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 |
The table below shows the bands given to you based on the number of questions you correctly answered in reading skills for the General Training test:
IELTS Reading Scores (General Training)
| Raw Score out of 40 | 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 |
IELTS Band Score: Writing
The Writing test has two tasks in both the Academic and General Training sections. Each task gets a score from 0 to 9. Task 2 is more important than Task 1. In the Academic test, you summarise information from a graph, chart, or table in Task 1(150 words). Task 2 is writing an essay (250 words) about an argument.
Your Writing test is marked by between 2 and 4 examiners to ensure the highest level of accuracy and fairness in the marks awarded.
For the General Training test, in Task 1, you explain a situation and write a letter. In Task 2, you write an essay about a problem or argument. There are some rules you need to follow to get a high score, and they look at things like how well you did your tasks and your language use.
The IELTS Writing Band score is based on the following criteria:
Task Achievement (Task 1):
- Give exact details and a good summary.
- Highlight the main points and stages, and back it up with data.
Task Response (Task 2):
- Answer the questions they ask you.
- Give points that relate to your answers.
- Share your opinion if they want it.
- End with a clear conclusion.
Cohesion and Coherence:
- Organise your ideas in paragraphs, each with a main point.
- Use different words and connectors to make your writing flow well.
Lexical Resource:
- Simple vocabulary
- Use appropriate words to avoid frequent lapses
- Avoid errors in spelling and/or word formation.
Grammar Range and Accuracy:
- Use different verb tenses.
- Try different sentence structures.
- Pay attention to punctuation.
- Don't make grammar mistakes.
IELTS Band Score: Speaking
The Speaking test has three parts. Part 1 is a short chat about your studies, family, work, etc. Part 2 is when they give you a card with a topic, and you talk about it for up to two minutes after thinking for one minute. Part 3 is like Part 2 but about bigger ideas and issues.
For speaking, they check things like how smoothly you talk, your words, how you say them, and your grammar.
The IELTS Speaking band score is based on the following criteria:
Fluency:
- Speak without stopping or hesitating.
- Use connectors to make it easy for people to understand.
Lexical Resource:
- Paraphrase (say things differently).
- Use different words that go together well.
- Don't be afraid to use some uncommon words.
Grammar Range and Accuracy:
- Avoid making grammar mistakes.
- Use different verb tenses and sentence structures.
Pronunciation:
- Speak so people can understand you.
- Make sure your accent doesn't make it hard to understand you.
IELTS Band Descriptors & IELTS Score Table
When you receive your IELTS score, you will find a numerical value ranging from 0 to 9, which indicates your English proficiency. These scores are associated with specific skill levels and provide insights into your language competence.
IELTS Score Table
Here's a breakdown of what each score signifies.
| IELTS Score | Description |
| 9 | You possess an exceptional command of the English language. Your use of English is consistently accurate and fluent, demonstrating a complete understanding. |
| 8 | You exhibit a highly proficient command of the language. Although occasional errors or inappropriate usage may occur, your understanding is comprehensive. You can effectively handle complex and detailed arguments. |
| 7 | You have a strong command of the language, albeit with intermittent inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and occasional misunderstandings. You generally excel in comprehending complex language and detailed reasoning. |
| 6 | You command the language effectively despite occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. Your ability to use and understand reasonably complex language is notable, particularly in familiar situations. |
| 5 | You possess a partial command of the language and can generally convey overall meaning in most situations, even though you will likely make several errors. You should be able to engage in basic communication within your specific field. |
| 4 | Your language competence is restricted to familiar situations. You frequently encounter difficulties in comprehension and expression. |
| 3 | Your ability to convey and understand only general meaning is limited to familiar situations. Communication frequently breaks down. |
| 2 | You encounter great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1 | Your capacity to use the language is severely limited, extending only to a few isolated words. |
| 0 | You did not respond to the test questions. |
How is the IELTS Band Score Calculated?
The IELTS overall band score is determined by calculating the average score across all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Each section carries equal weight in this calculation. Your final band score is rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
The IELTS score is rounding off the nearest 0.5. For example:
- If your overall score averages 6.75, it will be rounded to 7.
- If your overall score averages 6.25, it will be rounded to 6.5.
- If your overall score averages 6.1, it will be rounded to 6.
Here's an example of how the IELTS score is calculated:
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 5
- Listening: 6.5
- Speaking: 7
Average of all four skills: 6.25
Overall Score: 6.5
Difference between Raw Scores and IELTS Band Scores
Let's discuss the difference between Raw Scores and Band Scores in IELTS.
In the listening and reading sections, your raw scores are based on how many correct answers you have attempted. Your score is calculated out of 40. Then, this score is converted to a band scale from zero to nine.
For example, if you get 39-40 correct answers in the listening section, your band score will be 9. If you get 37-38, it's 8.5, and so on.
Considering the Reading section, which includes both General Training and Academic tests, you need to get a better raw score in the General Training Reading to achieve a higher band score in IELTS.
In the Writing section, you're evaluated on Task Achievement (Task 1), Task Response (Task 2), Lexical Resource, Coherence and Cohesion, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
In the speaking section, they look at Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resources, and Pronunciation. Each criterion carries equal weight, and your band score averages the marks you receive.
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