Candidates receive band IELTS scores from 1 to 9 on each of the 4 modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The overall Band Score is the result of the average of these 4 scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. Candidates can get a band score of 1 to 9.
Many students who take the IELTS are not sure how their IELTS band score is calculated. In IELTS, you get a band score from 1 to 9 for each of the 4 sections - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Then, your overall IELTS score is the average of these 4 scores. The final score is rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole number.
For example:
- If your average score is 6.25, your final band will be 6.5
- If your average is 6.75, your score will go up to 7
- If it is 6.1, then it will be rounded down to 6
Every student needs to know how the IELTS score calculator works. This IELTS score is used for study abroad, student visa, or even immigration to English-speaking countries. So, let’s understand this IELTS band calculator step by step.
- How IELTS Score is Calculated
- IELTS Band Score Chart
- IELTS Listening and Reading Band Scores
How IELTS Score is Calculated
Your IELTS overall score is made by adding the 4 section scores and dividing them by 4. The result is then rounded.
Example:
| Section |
Score |
|---|---|
| Listening |
6.5 |
| Reading |
6.5 |
| Writing |
5.0 |
| Speaking |
7.0 |
| Average |
6.25 |
| Final Score |
6.5 |
The scores of all 4 parts are equal. So don’t ignore any section while preparing. All scores matter.
IELTS Band Score Chart
Read the IELTS band score chart to understand the description of each band score.
| Band score |
Skill Level |
Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 |
Expert user |
The test taker has complete command of the language. Their use of the English language is fluent and shows a complete understanding of the language |
| 8 |
Very good user |
The test taker has complete command of the language with few inaccuracies. They handle complex situations well. They may misunderstand certain unfamiliar situations |
| 7 |
Good user |
The test taker has a good command of the English language with inaccuracies and inappropriate usage in certain situations. They understand detailed reasoning well and handle complex language well |
| 6 |
Competent user |
The test taker has an effective command of the language with some inappropriate usage and some inaccuracies. They can understand complex language well in familiar situations |
| 5 |
Modest user |
The test taker has partial command of the English language and can deal with the overall meaning. They make many mistakes. They can handle basic communication in their field |
| 4 |
Limited user |
The test taker is limited to familiar situations only. He/she cannot use complex language and frequently shows problems in understanding and expression |
| 3 |
Extremely limited user |
The test taker understands the only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are repeated breakdowns in communication |
| 2 |
Intermittent user |
The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English |
| 1 |
Non-user |
The test taker cannot use the English language except for a few isolated words |
| 0 |
Did not attempt the test |
The test taker did not answer the questions |
IELTS Listening and Reading Band Scores
Listening and reading scores are calculated by the number of correct answers out of the given 40 questions. Candidates do not lose any marks for incorrect answers.
IELTS Band Calculator - IELTS Listening Scores
| Number of correct answers |
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 |
IELTS Band Calculator - IELTS Reading Scores
| Number of correct answers |
Band scores |
|---|---|
| 40-39 |
9 |
| 38-37 |
8.5 |
| 36-35 |
8 |
| 34-33 |
7.5 |
| 32-30 |
7 |
| 29-27 |
6.5 |
| 26-23 |
6 |
| 22-19 |
5.5 |
| 18-15 |
5 |
| 14-13 |
4.5 |
| 12-10 |
4 |
| 9-8 |
3.5 |
| 7-6 |
3 |
| 5-4 |
2.5 |
IELTS Writing Test Assessment Criteria
Both, Writing tasks 1 and 2 are monitored on 4 parameters. Examiners 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
| Task Achievement (for Task 1) |
|
| Task Response (for Task 2) |
|
| Coherence and Cohesion |
|
| Lexical Resource
|
|
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
|
IELTS Speaking Test Assessment Criteria
Examiners award a band score for each of the four criteria
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
The four criteria are weighted equally.
| Fluency and Coherence |
|
| Lexical Resource |
|
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy |
|
| Pronunciation |
|
Your overall IELTS score is the key for study abroad, visa applications, or PR in countries like Canada, UK, Australia, and more. Make sure you prepare well for all 4 sections, because one low score can pull down your average. Now that you know how the IELTS score is calculated, you can plan better and aim higher.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Basically, the IELTS calculators calculate the overall IELTS score by adding IELTS bands in Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking and then dividing the total score by 4. The IELTS test is scored between 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
In the Listening test, candidates need to answer 40 questions related to audio clips that will be played. Your answers are correct or incorrect, so the marking is slightly different from the Speaking and Writing tests. For each correct answer, you will receive one mark. Band score 7 = 30 out of a raw score of 40. Band score 8 = 35 out of a raw score of 40.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.