How will my IELTS Listening score be calculated, and does a wrong answer cost me marks?
19 Oct 2026 · Answered by Pallavi Attri · 1 min read
Quick Answer
verified
IELTS Listening has 40 questions, each correct answer earns one mark, and there is no negative marking. Your raw score is converted to a band using the official table, reported in whole and half bands. The conversion can vary slightly by test version.
The IELTS Listening test consists of 40 questions, and each correct answer carries one mark. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers, so you should attempt every question.
Typical Raw Score to Band Conversion
| Correct answers | Listening band |
|---|---|
| 39 to 40 | 9 |
| 37 to 38 | 8.5 |
| 35 to 36 | 8 |
| 32 to 34 | 7.5 |
| 30 to 31 | 7 |
| 26 to 29 | 6.5 |
| 23 to 25 | 6 |
| 18 to 22 | 5.5 |
| 16 to 17 | 5 |
| 13 to 15 | 4.5 |
| 11 to 12 | 4 |
How to Read This Table
- Your raw score out of 40 is converted using the official conversion table.
- Your Listening result is given as a whole or half band.
- The exact raw score for a band may vary slightly between test versions.
My Advice
Treat this table as an average guide, not a guarantee, because difficulty differs between test versions. Never leave a blank, and check the official IELTS page for the latest scoring information.
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