Test takers are marked on a scale of 0-9 band in each section of the IELTS test– reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Each portion of the exam is assessed individually, and the average of all the sectional scores is calculated to get the overall IELTS band score. Now let's have a look at the complete IELTS Academic Score Chart.
|
Band Score |
English Proficiency Level |
Skills Showcased |
|
Band 9 |
Expert user |
Complete command over the English language |
|
Band 8 |
Very Good user |
Good operational command of the English language with a few unsystematic errors |
|
Band 7 |
Good user |
Functional command over the language with minor inaccuracies |
|
Band 6 |
Competent user |
Effective command over the language, with some inaccuracies and inappropriate usage of words or phrases |
|
Band 5 |
Modest user |
Partial command over the language |
|
Band 4 |
Limited user |
Basic command over the language |
|
Band 3 |
Extremely Limited user |
Generic command over the language only in familiar situations |
|
Band 2 |
Intermittent user |
Barriers to understanding written and spoken English |
|
Band 1 |
Non-user |
Some isolated words are used without connectivity between words, phrases, or sentences |
|
Band 0 |
Unattempted |
Test not attempted by the applicant |
Raw scores are the marks obtained by the student for every correct answer. On the contrary, the final IELTS band score is computed based on the raw scores. For instance, a test taker with a raw score of 36 out of 40 in the Academic Reading section will be awarded an 8-band score. The raw scores for the Reading and Listening sections of the IELTS exam are calculated out of 40 marks.
The overall band score is computed by taking the average of the scores obtained in each exam section– Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. All the IELTS exam sections are also scored on a 0-9 band score scale. The overall band score of the IELTS is an average of all the sectional scores. The formula for calculating IELTS Band Scores is given below:
Overall IELTS Band Score = (Reading Band Score + Writing Band Score + Listening Band Score + Speaking Band Score)/4
While calculating the final IELTS band score, the scores are rounded off to the nearest whole or half bands. If the average of the four parts ends in 0.25, the total band score is rounded to the next half band; if the average ends in 0.75, it is rounded to the next full band. We have suggested how are overall band scores calculated through the examples given below:
|
Reading Band Score |
Writing Band Score |
Listening Band Score |
Speaking Band Score |
Average Band Score |
Overall Band Score |
|
6.75 |
7.25 |
6.50 |
7.0 |
6.875 |
7.0 |
|
7.0 |
6.25 |
5.75 |
5.50 |
6.125 |
6.0 |
|
8.0 |
5.75 |
7.50 |
7.75 |
7.25 |
7.5 |
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Register Today for our Online Live IELTS ClassesTo understand how the total band score is calculated, you must know how the sectional results are computed. This section will discuss how section-wise IELTS Academic band scores are calculated.
The IELTS Academic Reading section contains 40 questions. Each correct question carries one mark (raw score). The great news is that the IELTS exam has no negative marking. The raw scores secured in the reading section are converted into IELTS Academic Reading band scores. To understand the conversion process of raw scores into band scores, we have given the following IELTS score table for Academic Reading.
|
Raw Scores (out of 40) |
Band Scores |
|
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 |
Want to enhance your Reading skills for IELTS?
Join our Free IELTS Reading Trial ClassLike the IELTS Academic Reading section, the IELTS Listening test has 40 questions. Each question carries one mark (raw score). The Academic Listening IELTS score chart is given below:
|
Raw Scores (out of 40) |
Band Scores |
|
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 |
|
13- 15 |
4.5 |
|
11- 12 |
4 |
Level-up your Listening skills for IELTS
Register for Free IELTS Listening Trial ClassThe IELTS Academic Writing test comprises 2 tasks, which are evaluated based on the following four criteria:
The band scores are awarded per the level of fulfilment of the above criteria. So, there needs to be a concept of raw scores for assessing the Writing test.
Each scoring criterion of the Writing test carries equal weightage, i.e., 25% of the total score. The final writing band score is the average of all four marking parameters. We have gathered valuable inputs to excel in all the marking criteria for the writing section and get a higher band score:
|
Scoring Criteria |
Requirements |
|
Task Achievement (Task 1) |
|
|
Task Response (Task 2) |
|
|
Coherence and Cohesion |
|
|
Lexical Resource |
|
|
Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
|
Improve your Writing skills with us!
Sign-up for a Free IELTS Writing Trial ClassThe IELTS Speaking test consists of – 'Introduction', 'Task Card', and 'In-depth discussion'. There are four criteria for assessing the speaking section:
|
Scoring Criteria |
Requirements |
|
Fluency and Cohesion |
|
|
Lexical Resource |
|
|
Grammar Range and Accuracy |
|
|
Pronunciation |
|
Want to Speak confidently in your IELTS?
Enroll for Free IELTS Speaking Trial ClassWhen planning to study abroad, you must know the minimum IELTS score required to get admission to your preferred university and country.
IELTS governing bodies release the exam scores in the test report form. However, universities have minimum IELTS score criteria to select top students from a large pool of applicants.
Each country has different score requirements for graduate and postgraduate programs. So, let's explore the accepted IELTS scores in popular study-abroad destinations below:
To pursue higher education in the United Kingdom, it is necessary to undertake the IELTS for the UKVI Academic examination. Most universities in the UK require a 6.5 score or above for bachelor's programs.
For postgraduate programs, universities in the UK can accept a band of 6.0 or above. However, some premium universities require an IELTS score of 7.0 or more. Overall, if you plan to study graduate or postgraduate programs in the UK, you must get a 6.0 - 7.0 band score.
The minimum score required in IELTS varies across universities. For example, Many Ivy League schools demand at least a 7.0 overall band score in IELTS, whereas other colleges might require a score of 6.0 or 6.5 in IELTS.
Recently, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced modifications to the external icon for SDS applicants' English test requirements. By selecting IELTS, it is now simpler to register for a Study Permit in Canada in light of the following changes.
If you register after August 10 2023, you only need an aggregate IELTS Academic band score of 6.0.
If you apply with IELTS Academic before August 10, 2023, you must score 6.0 in each skill.
With a score of 6.0 to 6.5, you can enrol in a few courses at high- to middle-tier universities.
Some Canadian universities accept a score of 5.5, but only for some courses or admissions. Therefore, it is recommended to strive for 6 or higher.
Regarding visas, the IELTS score for Canada varies based on the type of visa for which you are applying. In general, your score for a student visa should be above 6.
In conclusion, if you have an IELTS score of 7 or higher, you are guaranteed admission to a top-tier university and an advanced-level program.
You need an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with no section-wise band below 6.0, to enroll in a postgraduate program in Australia. A minimum final IELTS score of 6.0 is required to apply to undergraduate programs.
Did you know that certain Australian colleges may consider your application if you have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 in any of the four skills tests— speaking, listening, reading, and writing?
Thus, you are still welcome to apply if your highest IELTS score is 5.5, achieved either in the reading or speaking sections. A score of 5.5 or above is required for admission to the following schools. However, the required minimum score may change according to the course of study.
|
Countries |
Minimum IELTS Score Required |
|
United Kingdom |
6.0 - 7.0 |
|
United States |
6.0 - 6.5 |
|
Canada |
6.0 - 6.5 |
|
Australia |
5.5 - 6.5 |
The overall band score is computed by averaging the scores from each exam section: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
An IELTS score of 6.5 signifies the test-takers competence and ability to adapt more effectively in a classroom setting.
Scoring a 7 on each IELTS skill—Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking—can be tricky. Still, it is certainly attainable with good and rigorous practice and the assistance of an experienced IELTS tutor.
There is no particular country that accepts the lowest IELTS score. The universities decide the parameter for setting the minimum score required. For instance, In Australia, colleges like RMIT, Academies Australasia, and CQUniversity Australia can accept students with a band score of 5.5-6.0.
No. IELTS General can be used for work and migration purposes. In contrast, IELTS Academic is solely for studying in an English-speaking country. The parameters of evaluation and test format slightly differ for both test types. Hence, the IELTS General scores cannot be used for Academic purposes.
No. IELTS General scores are valid to apply for a PR. IELTS Academic scores are required for student visa applications.
All universities and immigration authorities in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and over 3,000 institutions in the United States (including Ivy League universities), accept IELTS Academic scores.
No, the IELTS Academic scores are not accepted for work purposes. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accept the IELTS General Training exam if you apply for a work visa, professional registration, or permanent residency in Canada.
IELTS is the only English language test officially recognized by Canadian, Australian, British, and New Zealand immigration departments.
The questions on the General Training exam are simpler to answer than those on the Academic test. For instance, a score of 37 to 38 out of 40 corresponds to 8.5 bands in IELTS General reading. However, you will receive 8 bands in IELTS Academic reading with the same score.
IELTS General Training is relatively easier than Academic. The writing and reading parts of the Academic exam are tricky when compared to IELTS General. Moreover, the scoring criteria are different for both types of exams.
The score of each IELTS section is marked on a band score of 0-9, based on the individual criteria for each section.
IELTS scores are valid for 2 years.
A score of 7 or above is considered good to get admission into top universities abroad.