EdMIUMIELTS is an English exam taken to study or work abroad where English is the native language of countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The exam tests the ability to communicate in English language. It mainly focuses on the basic skills of a candidate such as Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS Score is graded on a scale of 1-9. Universities often require an IELTS score between 6 and 7 overall and individual bands as well.
In this article let us look at:
- IELTS Band score and How is it calculated?
- Band Score Description
- IELTS Reading And IELTS Listening Band Score
- Writing Assessment
- Speaking Assessment
1. IELTS Band score and How is it calculated?
The IELTS Academic and General Training tests are both graded to 9 band scales. For each section of the IELTS exam (listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) the IELTS band score is from 1-9.
The overall IELTS score is the average of the four module scores. The scores will be rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The module scores are calculated equally. If the average of the four modules ends at .25, the overall band scores are rounded to the next half band (.5). If the average ends at .75, the overall score can be rounded to the next whole band. The fraction band of .25 or .75 can be rounded down.
2. Band Score Description
The IELTS Score Card below shows the detailed version of the IELTS score Calculator. The IELTS Score calculation of Listening and Reading is similar but different to Writing and speaking.
| Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
| 9 | Expert User | Use of English is fluent, accurate and has complete understanding |
| 8 | Very Good User | Handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good User | Generally handle complex language well and understand reasoning well. |
| 6 | Competent User | Can use and understand fairly complex language in familiar situations |
| 5 | Modest User | Should be able to handle basic communication in the field |
| 4 | Limited User | Not able to use complex language |
| 3 | Extremely Limited User | Understand only general meaning and have frequent breakdowns in communication |
| 2 | Intermittent User | Great difficulty understanding spoken and written English |
| 1 | Non-User | No ability to use the language except a few isolated words |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | No questions answered |
3. IELTS Reading And IELTS Listening Band Score
In the listening test, you will answer 40 questions that relate to audio clips that will be played. You will receive one mark for each correct answer. The total number of marks determines the IELTS listening band score. The IELTS Score Chart below indicates the average mark required to achieve the particular IELTS Listening Band Score.
| IELTS Score Band | Score out of 40 |
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
| 9 | 40 |
In the reading test, you will answer 40 questions. A variety of question types such as multiple choices, true/false/not given, matching and sentence completion. The IELTS Score chart below shows the average number of marks to achieve the band score in Academic Reading and General Training Reading.
IELTS Score Chart Reading (Academic)
| IELTS Score Band | Score out of 40 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
| 9 | 40 |
IELTS Score Chart Reading (General)
| IELTS Score Band | Score out of 40 |
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
| 9 | 40 |
4. Writing Assessment
The IELTS Writing test is monitored and marked by qualified IELTS Examiners. A minimum of two examiners will mark the IELTS writing test to ensure the highest level of accuracy and fairness possible. The task response is calculated taking the areas of task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy. The IELTS Band descriptors in the score chart below gives us a detailed understanding.
IELTS Score Descriptor- Writing (Task 1)
| Band Score | Task Achievement |
| 9 | Fully satisfies the requirements of the taskClearly presents a developed response |
| 8 | Covers the requirements of the tasks sufficientlyHighlights the bullet points clearly and appropriately |
| 7 | Covers the requirements of the task |
| 6 | Address the requirements of the task |
IELTS Score Descriptor- Writing (Task 2)
| Band Score | Task Achievement |
| 9 | Fully address all parts of the task |
| 8 | Sufficiently address all parts of the task and presents a well developed response |
| 7 | Presents a clear position throughout the task |
| 6 | Presents a relevant position although conclusions are unclear |
5. Speaking Assessment
The speaking test I just like everyday conversation. You’ll sit in a private quiet room with a qualified examiner who will engage you in conversation. They will assess your speaking skills including fluency and coherence. The IELTS score card for speaking gives you all the information in detail.
The IELTS speaking band chart gives you all the required information in the score chart.
| Criteria | Description |
| Fluency | Talking at lengthTalking without pauses or hesitation |
| Lexical resource | Using CollocationUsing a range of words and phrasesAvoiding regular words |
| Grammar Range and Accuracy | Using a range of sentence structuresUsing a range of grammar tenses |
| Pronunciation | Accent does not affect understandingAble to use intonation |
The IELTS Band charts are detailed for all modules above. The IELTS Score card mentions all the individual IELTS band scores along with the overall IELTS Score. All the scores are weighted equally and the overall band scores are calculated taking the mean of the four modules.
