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How to Calculate IELTS Score?: Section Wise Steps Here!
Edited By Preetom Kumar Goswami | Updated on May 06, 2024 06:05 PM IST | #IELTS
Calculating your IELTS band score is a crucial step in understanding your proficiency in the English language. If you're preparing for higher education, knowing how to calculate your IELTS score is essential. IELTS is universally recognised by immigration departments worldwide, including those of Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, Ireland, and New Zealand, as the preferred English language test. It evaluates an individual's proficiency in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
This Story also Contains
- IELTS Test Format - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking Section
- How to Calculate IELTS Score?
- IELTS Listening Section
- IELTS Reading Section
- IELTS Writing Section
- IELTS Speaking Section
- IELTS Score
- Minimum IELTS Score Required
Indian students can take the IELTS test online whereas the paper-based format is also available in various other countries. After completing the IELTS examination, it usually takes less than a fortnight to receive the results. To access the IELTS scores, applicants must visit the official website of IDP. Test-takers will be provided with their IELTS scores for each of the four sections on a scale of 1 to 9, along with an overall IELTS band score.
Candidates must comprehend the method for calculating bands in the IELTS exam. Additionally, it is recommended to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the scoring system operates. Know details on the IELTS scoring system, how each section is scored and how to calculate band score in Ielts.
IELTS Test Format - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking Section
Familiarizing oneself with the format of the IELTS test is crucial for maximizing his/her score and opening doors to studying abroad. It is important to note that there are two types of IELTS tests: the IELTS Academic and the IELTS General Training. Both tests consist of sections mentioned below:
Listening Section
Reading Section
Writing Section
Speaking Section
IELTS Academic test: The IELTS Academic examination is designed for those who wish to pursue higher education at a university in an English-speaking nation.
IELTS General Training test: The IELTS General Training examination is undertaken by individuals who are seeking to pursue education, employment, or residency in countries where English is the primary language.
How to Calculate IELTS Score?
It is crucial to comprehend the calculation process of the IELTS band score. The IELTS examination is graded on a scale ranging from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). Additionally, candidates can receive scores with increments of 0.5, such as 5.5 or 6.5. Each section (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) is assigned a band score, along with an overall band score. The overall band score is determined by averaging all the individual skill scores. To ensure accuracy, the band scores are rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
For example:
Scenario 1: If a candidate obtains 5.5 for Reading, 5.5 for Listening, 4.0 for Writing, and 6.0 for Speaking, the IELTS Band Score of the candidate will be: (5.5 + 5.5 + 4.0 + 6.0) ÷ 4 = 5.25 i.e., the IELTS score will be 5.5.
Scenario 2: If a candidate obtains 5.0 for Listening, 4.5 for Reading, 4.0 for Writing, and 6.0 for Speaking, the IELTS Band Score of the candidate will be: (5.0 + 4.5 + 4.0 + 6.0) ÷ 4 = 4.875 i.e., the IELTS score will be 5.
In the IELTS Result, a candidate will receive a band score for each section as well as an overall band score, which is calculated by averaging the band scores for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The band scores in IELTS are either given as a whole number or rounded up to the nearest half-band score.
Below are several illustrations that demonstrate the functioning of IELTS score banding.
If a candidate’s overall IELTS band score is 6.75, his/her final score will be 7.
If a candidate’s overall IELTS band score is 4.25, his/her final score will be raised to 4.5.
If a candidate’s overall IELTS band score is 5.85, his/her final score will be 6.
If a candidate’s overall IELTS band score is 5.1, his/her score will be 5 since it is the closest whole band score.
IELTS 2024 Writing Task 1 & 2 - Study Materials
Aspirants who are appearing for IELTS exam can download this eBook which have complete study material for academic writing task 1 (Data Interpretation) and academic writing task 2 (Essays) sections.
Download EBookIELTS Listening Section
The IELTS Listening examination is specifically designed to assess a candidate’s proficiency in:
Comprehending the key concepts and specific factual details
Recognizing the viewpoints, positions, and attitudes of the speakers
Tracking the progression of ideas and arguments
The IELTS Listening examination consists of 40 questions, with each accurate response earning the student one point. Consequently, the highest possible raw score attainable is 40. Subsequently, a band score between band 1 and band 9 is assigned depending on a candidate’s raw score.
How to calculate IELTS listening band score?
The score for the IELTS Listening section is determined by averaging the scores obtained in the four different sections of the listening test.
The examination consists of audio recordings that you will need to listen to, followed by answering questions related to the content. There are four recordings delivered by native English speakers, each accompanied by ten questions, resulting in a grand total of 40 questions. Each recording focuses on a distinct type of exercise such as:
Discussion regarding a daily task
A monologue regarding a popular topic
Instructional dialogue involving multiple participants
Scholarly monologue on a subject of study
Answering all 40 questions correctly will earn you a total of 40 marks. It is highly recommended to try your best to answer every question in order to enhance your IELTS listening score, as there is no penalty for incorrect responses. Your band score is determined based on the total number of correct answers you provide.
IELTS Listening Band Score
Band Score | Correct Answers |
9 | 39 – 40 |
8.5 | 37 – 38 |
8 | 35 – 36 |
7.5 | 32 – 34 |
7 | 30 – 31 |
6.5 | 26 – 29 |
6 | 23 – 25 |
5.5 | 18 – 22 |
5 | 16 – 17 |
4.5 | 13 – 15 |
4 | 11 – 12 |
IELTS Reading Section
The IELTS Reading assessment is created to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in:
Comprehending the overall message of a passage
Extracting the primary concepts from a text
Analyzing the specific information within a reading
Quickly glancing through and searching for specific details
Grasping the logic behind arguments and their significance
Identifying the author's viewpoint, attitudes, and intentions
The IELTS Reading assessment consists of 40 questions, with each accurate response earning the student one point. Consequently, the highest possible raw score attainable is 40. Subsequently, a band score between band 1 and band 9 is assigned according to a candidate’s raw score.
How to calculate IELTS reading band score?
In the Reading section, you will be required to respond to a total of 40 questions. These questions encompass a range of formats, including multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, matching, and sentence completion.
Unlike the Speaking and Writing tests, where answers can be subjective, in the Reading test, your responses are either deemed correct or incorrect. Consequently, the marking scheme differs slightly. For every accurate answer, you will be awarded one mark. The cumulative number of marks you obtain will determine your band score.
IELTS Reading Band Score
Band Score | Correct Answers |
9 | 40-39 |
8.5 | 38-37 |
8 | 36 – 35 |
7.5 | 34 – 33 |
7 | 32 – 30 |
6.5 | 29 – 27 |
6 | 26 – 23 |
5.5 | 22 – 19 |
5 | 18 – 15 |
4.5 | 14 – 13 |
4 | 12 – 10 |
3.5 | 9 – 8 |
3 | 7 – 6 |
2.5 | 5 – 4 |
IELTS Writing Section
The IELTS Writing assessment is created to evaluate a candidate’s capacity to:
Express his/her perspective or argument
Demonstrate his/her extensive vocabulary and accurate grammar
Elaborate on and elucidate the information depicted in data, diagrams, and charts.
The IELTS Writing score includes an assessment of a candidate’s Writing Task 1 and 2 responses. Candidates are given a band score for each of the four criterion areas: Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. All four criteria carry equal weightage.
How to calculate IELTS writing band score?
The Writing test in IELTS is evaluated by an examiner across 4 different criteria, with each criterion accounting for 25% of your total score for that task.
IELTS Writing Band Score
Score Parameters | |
Task 1 (Task Achievement) | Presenting accurate details to give a comprehensive summary emphasizing important characteristics/phase specifics backed by relevant data. |
Task 2 (Task Response) | Completing the assignment by responding to the inquiries, presenting pertinent arguments to back up the response, expressing personal viewpoints when required, and delivering a concise summary. |
Cohesion and Coherence | Arranging thoughts and data into paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a specific central idea and utilizing a variety of connectors. |
Lexical Resource | Spelling utilizing appropriate word combinations, preventing mistakes by employing alternative expressions, and incorporating a variety of terms where necessary. |
Grammar Range and Accuracy | Using a variety of grammar tenses, employing a range of sentence structures, utilizing proper punctuation, and avoiding errors. |
IELTS Speaking Section
The primary purpose of the IELTS Speaking test is to assess a candidate’s proficiency in spoken English. This test involves a conversation between the candidate and an examiner, which aims to replicate a genuine and engaging real-life interaction.
The examination will evaluate a candidate’s capacity to:
Display proficiency and consistency in his/her verbal expression. For example- how effectively a candidate can connect thoughts and construct logical and seamless sentences.
Exhibit his/her variety of vocabulary and how precisely he/she employs it in relevant discussions. For example- how adeptly he/she can enhance conversations with vivid details, depth, and description.
Maintain a fluid dialogue with clear pronunciation
Present his/her perspective, engage in discourse, and provide reasoning for his/her viewpoints.
How IELTS Speaking Score is Calculated?
The IELTS Speaking band descriptors consist of bands ranging from 0-9. These descriptors are a mean calculation of all the skills demonstrated by candidates in the IELTS Speaking test. The scoring criteria for IELTS Speaking is determined by the candidate's comprehension of different accents and their ability to effectively communicate in a face-to-face conversation.
IELTS Speaking Band Score
Score Parameters | |
Fluency | Speaking at length, conversing without interruption or hesitation while utilizing easily comprehensible connectors for the audience. |
Lexical Resource | Rewording and utilizing various word groupings, incorporating common phrases, and employing uncommon terminology |
Grammar Range and Accuracy | Ensuring grammatical accuracy by utilizing various tenses and employing proper sentence structures |
Pronunciation | It is important that the speech can be comprehended by all listeners, regardless of their accent, through the use of appropriate intonation and accurate pronunciation |
IELTS Band Scores Descriptors
Here’s the IELTS band scores chart to understand the descriptor of each band score.
IELTS Band score | Skill Level | Descriptors |
0 | Test Not Attempted | The candidate taking the test did not provide answers to the questions. |
1 | Non-user level | The candidate cannot effectively utilize the language, except for a limited number of isolated terms. |
2 | Intermittent level | The candidate taking the test finds it challenging to grasp spoken and written English. |
3 | Extremely limited level | The candidate grasps only the overall idea in extremely familiar contexts. Communication breakdowns happen repeatedly. |
4 | Limited level | The candidate is restricted to familiar situations only. He/she is not capable of using difficult language and finds it challenging to understand and express. |
5 | Modest level | The candidate taking the test possesses a limited grasp of the English language and is capable of comprehending the general message. He/she frequently commits errors, yet he/she is able to effectively engage in basic communication within his/her specific area of expertise. |
6 | Competent level | The candidate demonstrates a strong grasp of the language, albeit with occasional errors and inaccuracies. He/she exhibits a good understanding of complex language in familiar contexts. |
7 | Good level | The candidate demonstrates a strong grasp of the English language, although there are occasional inaccuracies and inappropriate usage in specific contexts. He/she exhibits a solid understanding of intricate reasoning and effectively navigates complex language structures. |
8 | Very good level | The language proficiency of the test taker is excellent, with only a few minor inaccuracies. He/she demonstrates great competence in dealing with complex situations. However, there is a possibility of the candidate misinterpreting unfamiliar scenarios. |
9 | Expert level | The candidate demonstrates full mastery of the language, exhibiting fluency in English and a thorough comprehension of its nuances. |
IELTS Score
The IELTS band score chart is released within 13 days of the test date for the paper-based test at the ETS official website. Whereas, candidates can get access to the IELTS computer-based test scores within 3-5 days after the test.
IELTS band scores are generally valid for 2 years from the test date. However, some educational institutions might have different policies for acceptance of IELTS band scores.
How To Download IELTS Scorecard?
Students can get their IELTS band score chart online by browsing the ETS official website. Follow the below-mentioned instructions to download the IELTS scores:
Visit the official IELTS website.
Log in using the login details.
Click on the "View Results" or "Download TRF" section.
Enter the Test Report Form (TRF) number.
Download the IELTS score report.
Minimum IELTS Score Required
The minimum IELTS score required varies depending on the country, university, or organisation you are applying to. Therefore, there is no universal standard for the minimum IELTS score. It is important to note that each university/college/organization may have its own specific set of requirements when it comes to the IELTS score, which can significantly impact an applicant’s chances of being selected.
Related Links: TOEFL Score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many sections does the IELTS exam consist of?
The IELTS test consists of four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. The candidates undergo evaluation based on these four criteria. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS exam) offers two formats, namely IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training Test. IELTS Academic is recognized by universities globally, allowing candidates to apply for undergraduate or postgraduate programs.
2. If I decide to cancel my IELTS exam, will I receive a refund for the exam fee?
Your IELTS Exam Fees will be reimbursed, deducting the exam's 25% administrative fee. To be eligible for a refund, you must submit a request for exam cancellation at least five weeks prior to the exam date. However, if you cancel on the day of the exam, no refund will be provided. In order to obtain a refund, you must provide a valid medical certificate within five days of the test date, excluding local administrative fees.
3. What is the average IELTS score required by universities in Canada?
Canadian universities have different IELTS score thresholds. Undergraduate programs usually require a minimum score of 5.5 in each section and an overall score of 6.0.
4. How is the IELTS listening score calculated?
The IELTS Listening examination comprises a total of 40 questions. Students are required to respond to these questions, and for every accurate answer, they receive one mark. The scores, ranging from 0 to 40, are then converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. The final scores are reported in whole and half bands.
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Have a question related to IELTS ?
Hello,
One the most general tips for the preparation of both tests would be to go for a structured approach and understand the format of the tests respectively and work on improving grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation along with it take regular tests and reviews them. Both have 4 section, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, so all four must be kept in focus, and thus you must plan your time according to your needs and areas of improvement.
Now, for TOEFL, it's recommended to use resources from ETS, that is, official materials and tests.
For IELTS, it's recommended to use resources from IDP, British Council and Cambridge, that give you sample tests and questions.
Wishing an all the very best for the test.
Vanshika Agarwal 07 December,2024
Hello Student,
For the AMC (Australian Medical Council) exam , which assesses international medical graduates for practice in Australia, the IELTS requirement is generally a minimum overall score of 7.0 , with no individual band score below 7.0 (in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
Alternatively, the AMC also accepts equivalent scores from OET, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic :
- OET : A grade of B in all four components.
- TOEFL iBT : A minimum overall score of 94, with minimum scores of 24 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 27 in Writing, and 23 in Speaking.
- PTE Academic : A minimum overall score of 65, with a minimum score of 65 in each communicative skill.
Meeting these requirements is essential to proceed with the AMC’s application and registration processes.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
kumardurgesh1802 31 October,2024
Hello
To be eligible for the Australian Medical Council (AMC) exams , candidates must demonstrate English .
AMC assessment process :
1. Accepted English Language Tests and Scores
IELTS ( International English Language Testing System ) :
Overall band score : 7.0 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .
PTE Academic ( Pearson Test of English Academic ) :
Overall score of 65 in each band ( listening , reading , writing and speaking ) .
2. Validity of Test Scores
The test results must be no older than two years at the time of submitting your AMC application .
3. Preparation Tips for IELTS
Practice regularly : Build your language skills across all four components .
Take practice exams : practice can help improve speed and accuracy .
professional coaching if needed , specially for writing and speaking , which are often the most challenging part .
Use official IELTS resources : Cambridge IELTS books , online mock tests and other reliable materials can give you an accurate rating .
4. Application Tips
Ensure that your English test scores are valid and meet the minimum requirements before applying .
Keep a copy of your scores as they may need to be provided to both the AMC and registration authority in Australia .
Hope this helps you .
All the best
Mitali Sharma 31 October,2024
If you have completed a master's degree in the UK, you might still need to take the IELTS test to qualify for a Permanent Residency (PR) or Work Visa in Australia. While your degree from an English-speaking country like the UK may demonstrate your proficiency in English, Australian immigration authorities typically require a standardized English language test score, such as IELTS, to assess your language skills formally.
For better guidance, Invicta Institute can provide you with detailed information and assistance regarding the specific English language requirements for Australian PR or Work Visa applications. Invicta's experienced counselors can help you navigate the process and determine if your UK degree suffices or if you need to take the IELTS test.
Amrita Koner 18 July,2024
Since you're currently in the first year of your Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), planning ahead for your MBA abroad is a wise decision. The ideal time to take your IELTS exam is during your third year of B.Com. This timing ensures that your IELTS score, which is valid for two years, will still be valid when you apply for MBA programs.
chandresh iyer 03 June,2024
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