How is IELTS Band Score Calculated?

Explaining and Understanding IELTS Band Scores

Upon receiving your IELTS test results, you will be assigned an overall score on the IELTS band scale ranging from 0 to 9. Individual exam results will also be sent to you for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking parts. Educational institutions can better grasp your level of English proficiency by using the IELTS band scale, where each band reflects a certain skill level.

IELTS Band Score Chart Description

The band scoring chart for the Academic and General Training examinations is the same.

9 skill level: Expert

• The test-taker's command of the language is flawless.

• Their fluency, accuracy, and proper use of English demonstrate their thorough comprehension.

8 skill level: Very good

• With only occasional, non-systematic errors and improper usage, the test taker demonstrates a fully functional proficiency in the language.

• In unfamiliar environments, they could misinterpret some things. They are adept at debating intricate and sophisticated topics.

7 skill level: Good

• The test taker has a practical command of the language, regardless of occasional errors, improper usage, and situational misunderstandings.

• In general, they are adept at understanding intricate logic and complicated language.

6 skill level: Competent

• Despite a few errors, improper usage, and misunderstandings, the test-taker's grasp of the language is effective.

• Relatively complicated language can be used and understood by them, especially in contexts they are familiar with.

5 skill level: Modest

• The test-taker is likely to make many mistakes, but they have a limited command of the language and can usually understand the main concept.

• In their line of work, they need to be able to handle basic communication.

4 skill level: Limited

• Basic competency is restricted to scenarios that the test taker is familiar with.

• They usually exhibit understanding and communication issues.

3 skill level: Extremely limited

• The test taker can only perceive and communicate general meaning in extremely familiar circumstances.

• Communication breakdowns occur frequently.

2 skill level: Intermittent

• The test-taker finds it extremely difficult to understand written and spoken English.

1 skill level: Non-user

• Only a few select words from the language might be used by the test taker.

0 skill level: Did not attempt the test

• The examinee failed to respond to the queries.

How are IELTS Band Scores Calculated?

The range of IELTS band scores is 0 to 9. Your total band score is calculated by averaging the individual scores from each section.

Calculating section scores:

• Listening and Reading: One point is given for each right response, and the total number of points is converted into a band score using a uniform conversion chart.

• Writing and Speaking: Examiners evaluate performance according to predetermined standards, such as speaking performance's fluency and coherence, speaking performance's vocabulary resource, speaking performance's grammatical range and accuracy, and writing performance's task accomplishment, coherence and cohesiveness, and vocabulary resource.

Overall IELTS Band Calculator

The total band score obtained on the IELTS test is calculated by taking the average of all four components. Let's examine one example to understand this better. 

As mentioned, the total test scores are computed to the nearest entire band score (0.5). This means that your score will be pushed to the nearest whole or half score, whichever is closest if the final score is not exactly 6.5 (as indicated in the chart above). IELTS provides examples of how this works, which you can see below.

• Your score will go down to 6 if your overall score is 6.1, which is the closest score for the entire band. Stated differently, 6.1 is more akin to band 6 than band 6.5.

• Your final score will be band 7 if your total score is determined to be 6.85. This is because band 6.5 is less similar to 6.85 than it is to 7.

• If your overall score is a standard of 6.25, your score will be raised up to 6.5. The 6.25 is actually exactly and will be between 6 or 6.5, so in this case, IELTS will make it up to the nearest score, which is 6.5.

• If your overall score is a standard of 6.75, your score will be 7. This score, again, is exactly between 6.5 and band 7. So, in this case, your score will be rounded up to band 7.

• As you can see, your score is rounded down or up to the nearest 0.5 or whole score, as shown above.

IELTS Listening Band Score

This part comprises 40 questions. Each correct response is worth one mark. Scores between 40 and 39 are subject to the IELTS 9-band scale. Whole and half bands are used to compute and present scores.

The following is a list of the average points scored in the Listening section for each IELTS scale level. The actual number of marks required to obtain these band scores will differ slightly between test versions.

IELTS Listening Band Score Table Converter

IELTS Reading Band Score

40 questions are there in the IELTS Reading test, and 1 mark is given for each right response. The IELTS 9-band scale is then applied to these scores, and both whole and half bands are recorded. The Academic test may contain passages that are more difficult than those on the General Training Reading test and both tests use the same scale. However, more right answers are typically required on the General Training test to get the same band score.

The average marks needed for the various band scores in Academic and General Training Reading are listed below, please note that test versions may change in the precise marks needed.

IELTS Reading Band Score Table Converter

IELTS Writing Band Score

Examiners provide a score for each of the following four factors based on assessment criteria:

• Task Achievement (for Task 1) and Task Response (for Task 2)

• Coherence and Cohesion

• Lexical Resources

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

IELTS Speaking Band Score

Examiners assign a score for each of the following four areas based on assessment criteria:

• Fluency and Coherence

• Lexical Resources

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• Pronunciation

The IELTS Speaking score is determined by averaging the weights assigned to each criterion.

Conclusion

To sum up, the band score is one of the most important components of the IELTS exam and critical in assessing a candidate's English language competency. To obtain a high band score, it takes careful planning and preparation, as well as an extensive knowledge of the exam's structure and scoring standards. Candidates can define and work towards realistic goals with the aid of the IELTS band calculator and a clear knowledge of the band score chart.

Above, we have covered all the details regarding how the IELTS band score is calculated. We hope this piece of information is helpful to you. However, you can contact Prepare IELTS Exam (PI) expert counsellors for more guidance and IELTS preparation. Our team of education experts is dedicated to providing you with the best guidance in the IELTS exam. You can get a one-on-one counselling session online via our platform. Contact us at info@prepareieltsexam.com or call us at +91 9773398388.