Your IELTS result is given as a result from 0 to 9.0, increasing by 0.5 bands at a time (e.g. 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5). The result is calculated depending on your score for the four skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking.
For example, if you get 6.0 for writing, 6.5 for speaking, 5.5 for reading and 6.0 for listening, your overall result is 6.0+6.5+5.5+6.0 = 24, divided by 4 = 6.0.
How many correct answers are needed for what IELTS band scores?
The figures below are approximate and will vary depending on the difficulty of the test.
Listening (the same results for Academic and General Training):
| 2.5 | 4-5 |
| 3 | 6-7 |
| 3.5 | 8-10 |
| 4 | 10-12 |
| 4.5 | 13-15 |
| 5 | 16-17 |
| 5.5 | 18-22 |
| 6 | 23-25 |
| 6.5 | 26-29 |
| 7 | 30-31 |
| 7.5 | 32-34 |
| 8 | 35-36 |
| 8.5 | 37-38 |
| 9 | 39-40 |
General Training Module reading:
| 2.5 | 6-8 |
| 3 | 9-11 |
| 3.5 | 12-14 |
| 4 | 15-18 |
| 4.5 | 19-22 |
| 5 | 23-26 |
| 5.5 | 27-29 |
| 6 | 30-31 |
| 6.5 | 32-33 |
| 7 | 34-35 |
| 7.5 | 36 |
| 8 | 37-38 |
| 8.5 | 39 |
| 9 | 40 |
Academic Module reading:
| 2.5 | 4-5 |
| 3 | 6-7 |
| 3.5 | 8-9 |
| 4 | 10-12 |
| 4.5 | 13-14 |
| 5 | 15-18 |
| 5.5 | 19-22 |
| 6 | 23-26 |
| 6.5 | 27-29 |
| 7 | 30-32 |
| 7.5 | 33-34 |
| 8 | 35-36 |
| 8.5 | 37-38 |
| 9 | 39-40 |
So what do the scores mean?
| Band Score | Skill Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Band 9 | Expert user | has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. |
| Band 8 | Very good user | has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| Band 7 | Good user | has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent user | has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest user | has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| Band 4 | Limited user | basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user | conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user | no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-user | essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | No assessable information provided. |