How IELTS is scored
IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale. They are designed to be simple and easy to understand.
They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale. They are designed to be simple and easy to understand.
They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
Calculating the overall band score
A score is given for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.
A score is given for each test component – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score.
Section band scores
Listening
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Reading
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The distinction between the two tests is one of genre or text type. However, Academic Reading tests may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.
The tables below indicate the average number of marks required to achieve a particular band score in Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading.
Listening
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Reading
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The distinction between the two tests is one of genre or text type. However, Academic Reading tests may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.
The tables below indicate the average number of marks required to achieve a particular band score in Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading.
Writing
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
Speaking
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
- Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Speaking
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
