IELTS Band Score Chart (PDF): Table for Reading, Writing, Speaking, & Listening

Ever wondered how your IELTS scores translate into band scores for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening? I did too, and it turns out that understanding this is key to planning a successful study abroad journey. Whether you're aiming for top universities or meeting immigration requirements, knowing the IELTS Band Score Chart is crucial. Let's dive into the essentials of how each section is scored and what it means for your overall band score.

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IELTS Band Score Descriptor and Level of English Required

IELTS band score	Skill level	Description
9	Expert	The candidate has a complete understanding of English, and knows its accurate, fluent, and appropriate usage.
8	Very good	The test taker has fully operational command over English but might demonstrate some misunderstanding in unfamiliar situations.
7	Good	The test taker can handle complex language well, but make inappropriate or inaccurate usage of the language in some situations.
6	Competent	They demonstrate a fair understanding of the language in familiar situations, but might make some inaccurate or inappropriate mistakes in unfamiliar ones.
5	Modest	They can cope with the overall meaning but have a partial understanding of the language as they make many mistakes.
4	Limited	They are competent to perform well only in familiar situations, but might demonstrate frequent problems in understanding and expression.
3	Extremely limited	They face several breakdowns while communicating and can convey the intended meaning only in very familiar situations.
2	Intermittent	They face difficulties in understanding spoken and written English.
1	Non-user	The test taker has no command over the language or understanding and can use only a few isolated words.
0	Did not attempt the test	The candidate did not take the test.

How are IELTS Band Scores Calculated

The band score that you receive in your IELTS examination provides an accurate assessment of your level of proficiency in all four sections. The average score of the four tasks is considered the band score awarded in multiples of 0.5. 

For example, if your average score is 1.1, your band score is 1; if it is 1.25, it is rounded up to 1.5; if it is 1.6, it is rounded down to 1.5; and if it is 1.85, the band score is 2. 

The IELTS band score chart helps institutions assess your capability to study, work, or live successfully in the country to which you are applying. For more details on the IELTS band score chart, feel free to connect with the experts at upGrad Abroad.

Listening 

The 30-minute listening test of IELTS consists of 40 questions and is divided into four parts. You will be awarded one mark if you answer the question correctly. The maximum mark for the IELTS listening section is 40, and the minimum is 0. The band scores of listening, obtained by the candidates range from 0 to 9 on the IELTS band scale, based on the raw score (number of correct answers).

Reading 

The one-hour IELTS reading test consists of three sections and 40 questions. You will be awarded one mark for each correct answer, with a maximum score of 40, and a minimum of 0. These marks are then converted into the IELTS band scale.

The Academic Reading section includes passages extracted from books, magazines, newspapers, journals, and other online resources based on general topics. Answers must be written on the provided answer sheet.

The Academic Reading test features a more complex style and more difficult vocabulary than the General Training Reading test. Consequently, more correct answers are needed in the General Training Reading test to achieve a high band score compared to the Academic Reading test.

Writing

The one-hour IELTS Writing test consists of two tasks in both the Academic and General Training Writing sections. Each task is marked independently on a band scale of 0 to 9 with Task 2 carrying more weight than Task 1.

In the Academic Writing test, Task 1 requires you to summarize information provided in the form of a graph, diagram, chart, or table. Task 2 involves writing an essay in response to an argument or point of view.

In the General Training Writing test, Task 1 requires you to analyze a situation and write a letter explaining it. Task 2 involves writing an essay in response to a problem, point of view, or issue.

To score a high band, your responses are assessed based on the following criteria:-

• Task Achievement (Task1)/Task Response (Task 2)
• Cohesive and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Here are few more Samples Reading Answers for IELTS
Making Every Drop Count Reading Answers	Air Traffic Control In The USA Reading Answers	Bring Back The Big Cats Reading Answers
Alternative Medicine In Australia Reading Answers	The Intersection Of Health Sciences And Geography Reading Answers	Sheet Glass Manufacture The Float Process Reading Answers
The Life And Work Of Marie Curie Reading Answers	What Price Fresh Flowers? - IELTS Reading	Spoken Corpus comes to life Reading Answers

Speaking

The 11 to 14-minut IELTS Speaking Test consists of three parts. In Part 1, which lasts four to five minutes, the examiner will ask you general questions about your studies, family, work, and other topics. In part 2, you will be given a card with a topic and one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. Part 3  is an extension of the topic in part 2, where you will discuss more abstract ideas and issues.

Your performance is assessed based on the following criteria:-

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Pronunciation
• Grammatical Accuracy and Range

IELTS Band Score Chart: Section-wise

1. Listening

Scoring criteria

The IELTS General band score chart includes the listening section which consists of 40 questions, each carrying 1 mark. The marks obtained out of 40 are then converted into a 9-band scale using a standardized conversion table and reported in whole and half bands. 

Raw Score Conversion Table

Marks obtained out of 40	Band score (on a scale of 9)
16	5
23	6
30	7
35	8

2. Reading

Differences between Academic and General Training

The IELTS Reading Academic test comprises topics that assess a candidate’s ability to handle situations in a university or professional setup. Whereas, the reading section of the General Training test evaluates the ability to handle topics of general interest. The Academic test might have more difficult vocabulary and a greater complexity of style.

Scoring Criteria for Academic and General Tests

Both Academic and General Training of the reading sections contain 40 questions, with each correct answer awarded 1 mark. The marks received out of 40 are then converted into a 9-band scale. An IELTS band score chart for academic reading and general training is prepared in whole and half bands.

Both types of tests are graded on the same scale, but a greater number of questions have to be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to achieve a given band score.

Raw Score Conversion Table

Marks obtained in the Academic test (out of 40)	Band score (on a scale of 9)
15	5
23	6
30	7
35	8

Marks obtained in the Academic test (out of 40)	Band score (on a scale of 9)
15	4
23	5
30	6
35	7

3. Writing

Scoring criteria

IELTS examiners use specific criteria for marking candidates based on four criteria: Task Achievement (for task 1) and Task Response (for task 2), Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each of these tasks is conducted independently, and the scores are averaged to get the final score for each task. Task 2 assessment carries more weight compared to Task 1.

Details on How Tasks Are Evaluated

• For Task 1 (Task Achievement), the examiner assesses the candidate's ability to fully, relevantly, appropriately, and accurately fulfill the requirements of the task within a word limit of 150.
• For Task 2 (Task Response), candidates must respond to a prompt and formulate a response within 250 words. This response should be backed by examples drawn from their own experiences or evidence. This criterion assesses the candidate's ability to open the discourse, establish their stand, and formulate conclusions.
• Under Coherence and Cohesion, the logical organization of information and ideas, and the progression of the argument, are evaluated.
• The Lexical Resource section assesses the range, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary used in relation to the specific task.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy involves assessing the structure's accuracy and appropriateness at the sentence level.

Example Assessments and Common Pitfalls

Some of the common pitfalls that make examiners give you a lower band score are as follows:-

• Not sufficient paragraphs.
• Not addressing the question completely.
• Not following a correct format, for instance, the prompt is not in the form of an introduction, body paragraph, and a conclusion.
• Present a clear position in Task 2, make sure to establish your opinion and move ahead with it clearly.
• Avoid spelling errors and typos, for instance, ‘teh’ instead of ‘the’ or ‘adn’ instead of ‘and’.
• Do not use memorized phrases or cliches.
• Present examples from real life, and not surveys or research as examiners can’t check if your opinion is valid.

4. Speaking

Breakdown of Scoring Criteria

The IELTS speaking band score chart is prepared by assessing a candidate based on four criteria - Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Pronunciation, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Once the results are calculated, they are converted into band scores ranging from 0 to 9 and reported in whole and half bands.

Insights Into What Examiners Look For

• Fluency and Coherence: Key indicators of fluency are speech rate and speech continuity, and key indicators of coherence are the ability to link ideas and language together to form coherent, connected speech.
• Lexical Resource: The test taker’s stock of vocabulary, adequacy and appropriate use is evaluated, and the ability to paraphrase is assessed.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This criterion evaluates the use of subordinate clauses within clauses and phrases appropriately, the range of grammatical resources, and the accurate usage of grammar in a given amount of speech.
• Pronunciation: The examiner assesses how well the candidate can communicate meaningful messages and divides speech into meaningful utterances or chunks so that the listener can understand it well. 

IELTS Resources to Read:

Business and Money IELTS Essay	Art is Considered an Important Part of a Society IELTS Essay
IELTS Slot Booking	How to Check IELTS Revaluation Results
How to Get IELTS Certificate	How to Download IELTS Score Card

Calculation of Overall Band Score

The IELTS overall band score chart is prepared after each section (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) is marked. Then an average score of all these components is calculated to get the overall band score.

The overall band score is rounded up to the nearest whole or half band. If the mean score stands at .25, then it is rounded off to the next half band, and if the average ends at .75 then it is rounded up to the next whole band.

If your individual band score is 6.5 for Reading, 6.5 for Listening, 7.0 for Speaking, and 5.0 for Writing, then the overall band score would be:
6.5 + 6.5 + 5.0 + 7.0 = 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25, which when rounded up to the nearest half band is 6.5.

If you achieve 3.5 for Reading, 4.0 for Listening, 4.0 for Speaking, and 4.0 for Writing, then the overall band score would be:
4.0 + 3.5 + 4.0 + 4.0 = 15.5 ÷ 4 = 3.875, which when rounded up to the nearest half band is 4. 

CEFR and Its Connection to IELTS Band Scores

The CEFR, or Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is the world's most widely used tool for describing a candidate's level of foreign language ability. It rates individuals based on their knowledge and language competency at each level.

Given the importance educational institutions place on language ability requirements, IELTS has been working with the CEFR to align its band scores with the latter’s levels. Each level on the CEFR corresponds to a band score on the IELTS, which demonstrates the language skills of candidates to undertake courses taught in English at colleges or universities or to live and work independently in an English-speaking country.

IELTS Band Score and the CEFR Scale

Language proficiency level	CEFR level	Corresponding IELTS band score
Proficient user	C2	8.5 - 9.0
	C1	8.0 -7.0
Independent user	B2	6.5 - 5.5
	B1	5.0 - 4.0
Basic user	A2 & AI	4.0 - 0.0

General Country-Specific Requirements

Country	Requirement for student visa	Requirement for work visa
USA	7.5 - 5.5 (depending on the institution)	No universal minimum IELTS score requirement has been set by the US government for work visas, rather it depends on the employer.
UK	5.5 - 6.5	4.0 - 5.0
Canada	Overall band score of 6.0 in the Academic test, and 7.0 in each section of the General Training test.	Minimum IELTS score of 6.0 to 4 in Reading, and 5 in the other three sections (depending on the specific visa type and the job you are applying for).
Ireland	At least 5.0	Depends on your employer and the type of job you’re applying to, and not set by the Irish immigration authorities.
Australia	At least 5.5	At least 6.0 for permanent work visas and 5.0 to 6.0 for temporary work visas.

The alignment between CEFR levels and corresponding IELTS band scores helps institutions and employers accurately assess a test taker's language proficiency. This enables them to make informed decisions regarding academic or professional pursuits.

Understanding CEFR levels helps candidates set realistic IELTS goals, tailor their preparation, target specific band scores, and track their progress more effectively. Awareness of CEFR levels enhances their preparation strategy by aligning language learning and study plans with specific proficiency levels.

Strategic Tips for Maximizing Your IELTS Score

Here are some tips and tricks you can follow to maximize your IELTS score:-

• Keep track of the time you take to attempt each section.
• It is not necessary to understand each and every word you read, or else it would be difficult to complete the test on time.
• While attempting the Writing section, organize your thoughts or make a rough outline of how you want to present your ideas.
• While attempting the Speaking section, don’t think that you are talking to the recording equipment, but rather to your examiner.
• Check your grammatical and spelling errors, and keep enough time to review your answers.
• Follow the order of the information provided in the recordings of the Listening section, as the questions will be asked accordingly.
• Read the instructions carefully as some questions in the Reading section require you to answer in your own words, whereas the others should be as per the words from the text.
• Some sections require you to meet the minimum word limit, but avoid using fillers just to meet them.

Conclusion

The 2024 IELTS Band Score Chart remains an essential tool for candidates, educators, and institutions. It provides a clear framework for assessing English proficiency, ranging from non-user (band 1) to expert user (band 9). This chart helps test-takers set realistic goals, allows institutions to determine required proficiency levels, and ensures fair, objective evaluation with its detailed descriptors. Understanding this chart is crucial for accurately interpreting IELTS results and measuring progress.