How is an IELTS Band Score Calculated?

As you all are aware about the IELTS exam that it checks the English proficiency level in four areas – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. In this English proficiency test, you are given a band score for each module and the average of all these modules calculates your overall IELTS band score. The scores range from 1 to 9 and can include whole and half bands (e.g. 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5). Here are three assessments round ups for IELTS band score: 1. If the average of the four components ends in .25, the Overall Band Score is rounded up to the next half band. 2. If it ends in .75, the Overall Band Score is rounded up to the next whole band. 3. If the average ends with a fraction below .25 or .75, the overall score is rounded down.

Example for 6.5 bands

Reading 6.5 + Writing 5 + Speaking 7 + Listening 6.5 = 25 

Divide 25 by 4 = 6.25 

 Ends in .25 so round up to the next half band 

 Overall band score = 6.5

Example for 6.0 bands

Reading 6.5 + Writing 5.5 + Speaking 6.0 + Listening 6.5 = 24.5 

Divide 24.5 by 4 = 6.125 

Ends with a fraction below .25 so round down to the next whole band 

Overall band score = 6.0

Example for 6.0 bands

Reading 3.5 + Writing 4.0 + Speaking 4.0 + Listening 4.0 = 19.5

Divide 19.5 by 4 = 3.875 

Ends with a fraction above .75 so round up to the next whole band

Overall band score = 4.0

Reading: Band Score Calculation (General)

Reading: Band Score Calculation (Academic)

Listening Assessment Criteria

Writing Task Assessment Criteria

Writing tasks are based on four parameters:

Total Writing Band Score: 7 + 6.5 = 13.5 / 2 = 6.75 = 7 (rounded up)

Speaking Assessment Criteria

Speaking module is also based on four parameters:

Example 1

Fluency and Cohesion: 7,
Pronunciation: 8,
Lexical Resource: 7,
Grammatical Range and Accuracy – 6
The total score will be (7+8+7+6)/4 = 7

Example 2

Fluency and Cohesion: 7.5,
Pronunciation: 7.0,
Lexical Resource: 7.0,
Grammatical Range and Accuracy - 7.5.

The total score will be (7.5+7.0+7.0+7.5)/4 =7.25 -7.5 (Rounded up).

Band Score Description

The list below defines each band score against an English skill level. Want to know how your IELTS test is marked, check out the detailed description:

Band Score 9 - Expert

A candidate is fully capable and has operational command of the English language. The level of their English is high and also appropriate, accurate, and fluent, which shows complete language understanding.

Band Score 8 – Very Good User

A candidate has complete operational command of the language with rare occasional mistakes and inappropriate usage of the English language. Moreover, Sometimes they misunderstand some unfamiliar situations. Apart from this, the test taker can also handle complex and detailed argumentation well.

Band Score 7 – Good User

The IELTS test taker has operational command of the language with rare inaccuracies and sometimes with inappropriate usage, moreover with misunderstandings in some situations. In addition, They can handle complex language as well and understand the reasoning depth.

Band Score 6 – Competent User

The test taker has a great command of the English language but still with some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and somehow with some misunderstandings. However, they can easily use and understand complex sentences in familiar situations.

Band Score 5 - Modest User

The test taker has not a good command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations. But when it comes to language accuracy they are on the last seat.

Band Score 4 - Limited User

The basics of this test taker are not that much clear and limited to familiar situations. They also have a problem with language understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex sentences.

Band Score 3 - Extremely Limited User

The IELTS test taker speaks and understands only simple sentences in very familiar situations. It's too hard for them to speak in the English language as they have many breakdowns in communication.

Band Score 2 - Intermittent User

The test taker has too much difficulty in language understanding, spoken and written English.

Band Score 1 - Non-User

The test taker is unable to use the language except for a few simple words.

Band Score 0 - Did not attempt the test

The test taker won’t be able to understand any aspect of the language.

So now you have a good estimate of what your overall band score will be when you take the test!

Calculate and Check Your Estimated Band Score

Once you have your estimated band score for each module, add them together and divide by four (i.e. Reading 6.0; Listening 6.5; Writing 7.0; Speaking 7.5 = 27 ÷ 4 =6.75, which would be rounded up to a band score of 7.0)