Understanding the IELTS score chart is a crucial part of your test preparation. It’s not just about getting the right answers; it’s about knowing how those answers translate into a band score that is recognized globally. This guide will provide a clear breakdown of the IELTS scoring system, including how each section is evaluated and how your final overall band score is calculated.
At Banglay IELTS, founded by Rashed Hossain, we empower students in Bangladesh with the knowledge and strategies to confidently achieve their target scores. Let’s demystify the scoring process together.
How is the IELTS Overall Band Score Calculated?
Your IELTS overall band score is the average of your scores from the four individual sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The average is then rounded to the nearest half or whole band score.
Here’s how the rounding works:
- If your average score ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 becomes 6.5).
- If your average score ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 becomes 7.0).
For example, if your scores are Listening 7.5, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, and Speaking 7.0, your total is 28.0. The average is 7.0 (28.0 / 4), so your overall band score is 7.0.
The IELTS Band Score Chart for Each Section
Each section of the IELTS test has its own unique scoring criteria.
1. IELTS Listening & Reading Score Chart
For the Listening and Reading sections, your score is based on the number of correct answers you get out of 40 questions. This raw score is then converted to a band score. Since the General Training Reading is less complex, a higher raw score is needed to achieve the same band score as in the Academic test.
| Raw Score (out of 40) | Listening Band Score | Academic Reading Band Score | General Training Reading Band Score |
| 39-40 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 37-38 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| 35-36 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 32-34 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| 30-31 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 26-29 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 23-25 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 18-22 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 16-17 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
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Note: The exact raw scores may vary slightly between test versions to maintain consistent difficulty levels.
2. IELTS Writing & Speaking Band Descriptors
The Writing and Speaking sections are scored by certificated examiners based on a set of publicly available criteria known as band descriptors. These sections do not have a raw score. Instead, your performance is assessed on a scale from 0-9 based on specific criteria.
- Writing Criteria: Task Achievement/Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.
- Speaking Criteria: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.
For example, a Band 7 in Speaking indicates a “good user” who “speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of coherence” and “uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility.”
What Do the Band Scores Mean?
Each band score corresponds to a level of English-language proficiency.
- Band 9 (Expert User): You have full operational command of the language.
- Band 7 (Good User): You have operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies. This is the common minimum requirement for many universities.
- Band 5 (Modest User): You have a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations but with many mistakes.
Ready to Achieve Your Target Band Score?
Knowing the IELTS score chart is the first step, but achieving a high score requires strategic preparation and expert guidance. At Banglay IELTS, we offer personalized coaching tailored to the needs of Bangladeshi students, helping you develop the skills to meet the band score requirements for your academic and career goals.
Whether you’re preparing for the test with our Dhaka IELTS coaching, need guidance from a Chittagong study abroad consultancy, or are looking for dedicated Sylhet IELTS preparation, we are here to support your journey.
Don’t leave your scores to chance. Contact Banglay IELTS today to learn more about our courses and take the first step toward success!
FAQ
How is my IELTS overall band score calculated?
Your overall band score is the average of your scores from the four individual sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. This average is then rounded to the nearest half or whole band score. For example, a total score of 27.0 with an average of 6.75 will be rounded up to an overall band score of 7.0.
How do I convert my Listening and Reading raw scores to a band score?
For both Listening and Reading, your score is based on the number of correct answers you get out of 40. This raw score is converted to a band score using a specific chart. The chart is the same for Listening in both modules, but the Reading conversion differs slightly between the Academic and General Training tests.
How are the Writing and Speaking sections scored?
The Writing and Speaking sections are not scored based on a raw count of correct answers. Instead, a certificated examiner evaluates your performance using four key criteria (band descriptors). Your final band score for each section is the average of these four criteria, which are assessed on a scale from 0-9.
What does a Band 7 mean in terms of English proficiency?
According to the official scoring system, a Band 7 indicates a “Good User” of the English language. This means you have “operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies, and misunderstandings in some situations.” This is a common requirement for many universities and visa applications.
How can Banglay IELTS help me achieve my target score?
At Banglay IELTS, we provide personalized coaching and strategic guidance to help you understand the scoring system and improve your performance in each section. Our expert instructors help you develop the specific skills needed to meet the band descriptors and confidently achieve your target score for your academic or professional goals.
Contact us today to get started.
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