Band scores
IELTS band scores explained
IELTS is scored from 0 to 9 in half-band steps. Here is what the bands mean, how the overall score is worked out, and how raw marks turn into bands.
The band scale
| Band | Name | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert | Full command of English: accurate, fluent and complete understanding. |
| 8 | Very good | Fully operational command with only occasional unsystematic slips. |
| 7 | Good | Operational command with occasional inaccuracies; handles complex language well. |
| 6 | Competent | Generally effective command despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. |
| 5 | Modest | Partial command; copes with overall meaning in most situations, makes many mistakes. |
| 4 | Limited | Basic competence limited to familiar situations; frequent problems with complex language. |
Bands 0 to 3 cover non-user to extremely limited English and are rarely the focus of preparation.
How the overall band is calculated
You receive a band for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The overall band is the average of those four, rounded to the nearest half band.
For example, Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.0 and Speaking 7.0 average to 6.25, which rounds up to an overall 6.5. An average ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
Raw marks to band: Listening and Reading
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions, one mark per correct answer. The raw mark converts to a band. Exact thresholds vary slightly per test, but these are useful targets:
- Band 5
- about 16/40
- Band 6
- about 23/40
- Band 7
- about 30/40
- Band 8
- about 35/40
How Writing and Speaking are marked
Writing
- Task Achievement (or Task Response for Task 2)
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1.
Speaking
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation
Each criterion is equally weighted.
Writing is the section where candidates most often score below their target. The Atenu course gives AI feedback on each of these criteria, with a band estimate and the changes to make next. See Academic or General Training to start.
Band score FAQ
How is the overall IELTS band calculated?
You get a band for each of the four sections. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
Can I improve just one section?
Yes. Many test centres offer a One Skill Retake, which lets you sit a single section again rather than the whole test, then take the better score for that section. Confirm availability with your test centre.
How long is a band score valid?
An IELTS result is valid for 2 years from the test date. Many institutions prefer scores from the last two years.