IELTS Score 2025 - Requirements, Band Chart, Validity, Range, Calculator

The IELTS score is calculated by a unique 9-band scoring system. This IELTS band score measurement system is internationally recognised and understood. IELTS test consists of 4 sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Each section is scored an individual IELTS band score of 0 to 9. The overall IELTS score 2025 is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the nearest half band. There is no specefic passing marks in the IELTS. Every IELTS-accepting university or organisation has its own minimum IELTS score 2025 requirement. Students can check university-specific score requirements beforehand and prepare for the IELTS 2025 exam to obtain the required IELTS band score 2025.

IELTS: Vocabulary Guide | Reading Practice Tests | Listening Practice Tests | Speaking Practice Tests | Writing Practice Tests

IELTS: Sample papers | Preparation tips | Guide

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This Story also Contains

1. IELTS Score India 2025
2. How are IELTS Scores Calculated?
3. IELTS Score to PTE Conversion

Each question or task in this IELTS exam has a certain grading system for calculating the scores. Understanding the IELTS score system helps identify the scoring elements and gives a chance to enhance the exam score. Read the complete article to learn all the IELTS Academic score details.

IELTS Score India 2025

Both the total IELTS score and each sectional score are calculated between 0 to 9 bands. However, the IELTS scoring system varies for each section of the test, in terms of scoring criteria, calculation, etc. So, now familiarise yourself with the section-wise IELTS score 2025 details mentioned below.

IELTS Reading Score

The IELTS reading section has 40 questions. For every correctly answered question, 1 mark is given. All these raw scores are summed and then converted into 0 to 9 bands. Candidates can check the IELTS score India conversion chart below to understand this conversion.

Conversion of IELTS Raw Scores to Band Scores: Reading

So, candidates can now calculate their IELTS reading band score from their secured raw scores.

IELTS Listening Score

The IELTS listening section contains 40 questions. Each question carries 1 mark. These raw scores are converted into band scores using an IELTS score chart for listening. This conversion can be understood by checking the chart given below.

Conversion of IELTS Raw Scores to Band Score: Listening

So, candidates can now calculate their Academic listening band score from their secured raw scores.

IELTS Writing Score

The IELTS Writing section consists of two tasks: Task 1 and Task 2. The IELTS writing task 1 is about summarising the information in tables/charts/diagrams, etc. The IELTS writing task 2 is an essay about a given argument.

Tasks 1 & 2 task in the writing are directly scored in 0 to 9 bands. These do not require any conversions or raw scores. These two individual IELTS band scores of writing tasks are summed and averaged to get the final IELTS score. Each IELTS score for the writing criterion is worth 25% of the total task score.

The IELTS score 2025 for writing is based on 4 different criteria:

• Task achievement: As per this criterion, the accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness of the response given by the candidate are assessed.

• Coherence and Cohesion: The logical distribution of ideas and management of cohesion are checked.

• Lexical Resource: Usage of evidence in the answer and appropriate vocabulary usage with natural control of lexical features are assessed.

• Grammatical Accuracy: Elements like the structuring of sentences and appropriate grammar and punctuation are checked.

IELTS Speaking score

The IELTS speaking section consists of 3 conversations. The speaking section scores are directly calculated in bands from 0 to 9. This individual IELTS band score 2025 for speaking is summed and averaged to get the final speaking score.

The scoring is based on the IELTS speaking criteria which are as follows:

• Fluency and coherence: As per this criterion fluency and topic development are measured.

• Lexical resource: Precise usage of vocabulary in delivering the meaning of the message is checked. The language accuracy of the test taker while delivering the speech is also considered.

• Grammatical range and accuracy: Sentence formation and structuring are measured.

• Pronunciation: Here, the phonic sound pronunciation of the English words is checked.

How are IELTS Scores Calculated?

The total IELTS score calculation is done by adding the band scores of the 4 sections in the IELTS. These IELTS scores or individual section scores are displayed in the half and full bands like 5.5,8.0,8.5, etc.

This is because the IELTS band score 2025 is rounded off to the nearest zero. It means, that if the candidate scores 7.2, the IELTS score India will be rounded to 7.0. Similarly, if the IELTS exam score obtained is 7.9, then it is rounded to the nearest 8.0 band.

Understanding IELTS Score

Each band score in the IELTS score 2025 describes the English proficiency level of the test taker. Candidates can now know their performance level by checking the IELTS band descriptors mentioned below.

Understanding IELTS Band Score 2025

IELTS Score to PTE Conversion

Students planning to study abroad will have a lot of choices in choosing the English proficiency tests. Like-wise PTE is also an English language proficiency test. For the applicants who want to convert their IELTS score 2025 to PTE, here is the required conversion table for your reference.

Converting IELTS Score to PTE Scores

*Sourced from the official IELTS website

Some abroad universities mention their English proficiency requirements only in terms of IELTS equivalent scores. So in this case also, they can refer to this table to check their IELTS equivalent PTE scores.

You may also like to read:

• What is a good IELTS Score?

• IELTS Cutoff to Study Abroad

Universities Accepting IELTS 5.5 Band Scores in USA

The general IELTS cut-off score for top universities in the USA is 6.5. However, students with IELTS scores of less than 6.5 need not be disappointed, as some US universities accept 5.5 IELTS scores for international students.

• Cornell University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Michigan
• University of California, San Diego
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Duke University
• Ohio University
• University of Washington

Universities Accepting IELTS 5.5 Band Scores in UK for Masters

Check the list of universities in UK accepting 5.5 IELTS band score 2025 for masters.

• University of Leeds
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Liverpool
• University of Sussex
• University of Sheffield
• University of Dundee
• University of Nottingham
• University of East Anglia
• Newcastle University
• Queen Mary University of London