How IELTS band scores are calculated?
Its test which is conducted to check and clear the proficiency of English language. This test consists of four sections
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
The band scores are calculated on the basis of these sections. The scores in these four sections are given in the form of bands ranging from 1-9. Every section contributes equally in determining the overall scores of IELTS, so the worth of contribution of every part is 25%.
The question, “How IELTS band scores are calculated?” is in the mind of every IELTS aspirant, so be ready to get its detailed answer.
The overall result is the average of these skills, so taking marks is important in every section. For example, a student has took 6.5 in listening, 8 in reading, 7.5 in speaking and 6 in writing, and then the all over score will be the average of these 4 parts. The overall band will be 7.
Your score will be rounded to the nearest of .5. For instance, If your score is 6.75, then it will round to the nearest which is 7.
Another example is if your average score is 6.25, then this will round to become 6 band score.
For more details of IELTS band score, you can visit this website IELTS British council.
IELTS Band scores descriptors
The band score descriptors give you assessment criteria about your score highlighting your command on various skills of English.
To get band 7 in speaking, positive descriptors are
- You should speak without effort; it means you have good fluency level.
- There may be some repetition or self correction during speaking, and you may face hesitation regarding language speaking.
- The speaker must use relevant connectors and discourse markers with flexibility.
These band descriptors give you assessment criteria to get band 7 or more than 7 in speaking. If you cannot achieve these conditions, your band score will be deducted.
Writing band descriptors (IELTS band scores)
The IELTS writing exam is different for both general and academic students. Examiner divides the IELTS writing assessment criteria in the following way.
- Task Achievement
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resources
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Band descriptors for IELTS writing general test are different from IELTS academic. Let’s have a look on IELTS academic and general band descriptors.
IELTS writing task 1: band descriptors
Important features are highlighted. Information is selected and supported using figures or data. A relevant review is written at the end for academic written task 1.
Bullet points are used and the topic is covered using coherence and adequate data. The purpose of writing is clear in general writing task 1.
There may be irrelevant detail in explaining the main structure, so it should be avoided. Repetition or minor error in writing can be seen. Proper use of cohesive devices is good. Good lexical resource is used.
A mix of simple, compound and complex sentences is used, but error in grammar and punctuation may occur.
These are band descriptors for writing IELTS general and academic task 1. This description will give you an assessment how good at English you should be to get band score 7 in writing task 1.
IELTS writing task 2: band descriptors
Now the band descriptors for IELTS writing task 2 are:
Main parts are appropriately addressed.
Paragraphs should be logical, but there can be some inaccuracies with cohesive devices.
Grammar should be well controlled, but a few errors in grammar may occur.
You should have ability to extend and support main points.
IELTS speaking band score
The examiner has divided the speaking section into four parts
- Fluency and Coherence
- Lexical Resources
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- Pronunciation and stress patterns
IELTS reading band score
There are forty questions in reading, and each answer is of 1 mark. The result will be in the form of band score 1 to 9. The band score is given as whole and half bands. The test assessment criteria for academic and general is same. The text genre is different in academic and general test; the vocabulary and writing style for academic are complicated. Some of the important things which you should take care during writing answer:
Your spelling must be accurate, otherwise your answer is considered wrong.
You should care about grammatical and lexical mistakes, as they can also be the cause of deduction of your bands.
IELTS reading band score for academic
| Band score | Raw score |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS reading band score for general test
| Band score | Raw score |
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
IELTS listening band score (IELTS band scores)
The band score for IELTS listening is calculated as same for reading. In listening there are forty questions and four sections. Each section has different recording, and has questionnaire according to it. Understanding ‘IELTS listening question types’ helps you to get good bands in IELTS test.
The IELTS listening test is same for both academic and general test.
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
FAQs: How IELTS band scores are calculated?
The overall band score is calculated by taking an average of band score of four sections. The overall band score is the average of four sections i.e., listening, reading, writing and speaking .
For example, a student takes following band score
In listening 5.5
Reading 8
Writing 5.0
Speaking 6
The overall band score will be calculated as 5.5+8+5.0+6 =6.125
4
In round figure, it will be 6.0 bands.
There are 1-9 band score in IELTS, and the IELTS band calculation is the average of four band score of four sections.
If you want to get good score, then following tips will help you
- Make a study plan, and practice it daily.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses
- Work on them
- Take practice test and evaluate your position
There are no passing marks in IELTS, only band score 1 to 9 will demonstrate your command at English language.
In case, you are not satisfied with the result of IELTS, you can apply for rechecking of IELTS band score. You have to pay extra fees for rechecking, but this fee is totally refundable if your marks will increase.
No, this test is specifically designed to know your proficiency in English. Other test of English has nothing to do with this test, nor can they increase your band score. You can only improve your band score by working with specific conditions given by test structure.
