IELTS EXAM BAND SCORE
The IELTS Test Report Form displays your students’ total band score as well as their individual scores for each of the exam’s four sections.
How are IELTS scores calculated?
Each of the four IELTS skill categories—speaking, writing, reading, and listening—has an equal weighting. They have ratings ranging from 0 to 9, with 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 as increments.
The test’s total IELTS exam band score is determined by averaging the answers to the four sections. Scores ending in.25 are rounded up to the next half band, while scores ending in.75 are rounded up to the next whole band. This is done to the nearest whole or half band.
What do IELTS scores show?
The meaning of each band score in relation to a student’s ability level is displayed in the table below. It also comes with an explanation or story that you can tell the pupil.
| Band score | Skill level | Description |
| Band 9 | Expert user | You have a full operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and you show complete understanding. |
| Band 8 | Very good user | You have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. You handle complex detailed argumentation well. |
| Band 7 | Good user | You have an operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally you handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
| Band 6 | Competent user | Generally you have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. You can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
| Band 5 | Modest user | You have a partial command of the language, and cope with overall meaning in most situations, although you are likely to make many mistakes. You should be able to handle basic communication in your own field. |
| Band 4 | Limited user | Your basic competence is limited to familiar situations. You frequently show problems in understanding and expression. You are not able to use complex language. |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user | You convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user | You have great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| Band 1 | Non-user | You have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test | You did not answer the questions. |
IELTS and the Common European Framework (CEFR)
An international benchmark used to describe language proficiency is the CEFR. A six-point scale, from A1 (beginners) to C2 (advanced), is used to rate a person’s language proficiency. Band 9 on the IELTS is the highest CEFR level.
Students can assess their language proficiency by comparing their IELTS scores to this framework. Comparing IELTS scores and abilities to those of other language exams and credentials is made easier for other educators and examiners by the CEFR rankings.
What is the validity of the IELTS score?
Based on the well-established notion of second language loss, or “attrition,” the IELTS partners suggest a 2-year validity time for the test results; however, each organization is free to choose a validity period that best meets their requirements. It may take a few days to receive your IELTS exam results, depending on the kind of test you take.
IELTS exam band score
IELTS exam band score