IELTS Band Score: Overall Band Score, Section-wise Band Score, and Band Descriptors
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Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Dec 12, 2022
IELTS Band Score is the average of all four sections. Each band score on the IELTS scales from band 0 to band 9, indicates a distinct level of proficiency in the English language. For instance, if a candidate scores 6.5 in Reading, 5 in Writing, 7 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Listening, the average of these 4 scores would be 6.25. The total IELTS band score would be rounded up to 6.5 using this score. The IELTS calculator is used to compute the IELTS band score. The IELTS band score has two categories- Overall band score and Sectional band score.
Overall Band Score
The overall band calculator measures the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band, which is the overall band grade. The scores from each part are equally weighted in the IELTS band chart.
Example:
| Candidates | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average of four components | Band score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test taker X | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| Test taker Y | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.875 | 4.0 |
| Test Taker Z | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.125 | 6.0 |
According to the IELTS score chart, total band score is rounded to the next half band if the average of the four parts ends in 0.25 and to the next full band if it ends in 0.75.
IELTS Band Score Section Wise
The IELTS band score concept's main focus is sectional scores with specific details. To understand it better, let us start with a particular IELTS score calculator to measure each section score:
Listening Band Score Calculation
The IELTS Listening test comprises 40 questions with each correct answer awarded one mark. The overall IELTS listening scores out of 40 will be changed to the IELTS 9 band scale. For IELTS listening band Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
| Listening Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS Reading Band Score Calculation
The IELTS Reading score pattern is similar to IELTS listening comprising 40 questions and 1 mark for each correct answer. The IELTS Academic band score and IELTS General Training band score have distinctive exam patterns, the IELTS band score calculator for reading is stated below:
IELTS Academic Reading Band Score
| Reading Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS General Reading Band Score
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
IELTS Speaking Band Score Calculation
The calculation of the IELTS speaking band score is slightly different as the assessment is majorly dependent on 4 criteria:
- Eloquence and Balance
- Linguistic Resources
- Grammatical correctness and
- Pronunciation
All the above 4 factors are considered before making an average and marking the IELTS speaking band score.
IELTS Speaking Marking Criteria
| Fluency | Talking at length Talking without pauses or hesitations Talking without self-correction Able to be understood Using linking devices |
| Lexical Resources | Using a range of words and paraphrasing Using collocations Using less common vocabulary Avoiding errors |
| Grammar Range and Accuracy | Using a range of sentence structures Using a range of grammar tenses Avoiding errors |
| Pronunciation | Able to be understood throughout the test Able to use intonation Accent does not affect understanding Accurate word and sound pronunciation |
Writing Band Score Calculation
The IELTS Writing test is taken by qualified and experienced IELTS examiners who assess the skills based on 4 criteria:
- Task Accomplishment: IELTS Writing Task 1 and IELTS Writing Task 2
- Consistency and Adherence
- Linguistic resources
- Grammatical Accuracy
IELTS Writing Marking Criteria
| Task Achievement (Task 1) | Presenting accurate information Providing an overview Highlighting key features/stages Supporting detail with data |
| Task Response(Task 2) | Managing the task(answering the questions) Giving relevant main points that are supported and developed Giving a clear position (stating an opinion) Providing a conclusion |
| Coherence and Conclusion | Organising information/ideas into paragraphs Having one central idea in each paragraphs Using a range of linking devices |
| Lexical Resource | Using a range of words and paraphrasing Using collocations Spelling Avoid errors |
| Grammar Range & Accuracy | Using a range of sentence structures Using a range of grammar tenses Punctuation Avoiding errors |
IELTS Band Descriptors
The table below gives the description for each IELTS band score for information about levels 9 to 0. This IELTS band calculator helps candidates to calculate their band scores.
| IELTS Overall band scores | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Band score 9 - Expert user | The candidates giving the test have a fully operational command of the language. The way they apply English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
| Band score 8 - Very good user | The test takers have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They might misunderstand a few things in unfamiliar situations but are efficient to handle challenging and detailed argumentation. |
| Band score 7 - Good user | The test takers have a fully operational command of the language with only minor occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They might misunderstand a few things in difficult situations but can handle complex and detailed arguments well. |
| Band score 6 - Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language; however, they face some kind of inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. They can use and understand quite a complex language, particularly in case they are familiar with the situations. |
| Band score 5 - Modest user | The test takers have a partial command of the language but cope with overall meaning in almost all situations. They can handle communication in their own field. |
| Band score 4 - Limited user | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to some situations only. The candidates have problems with understanding and expression and are not able to use complex language. |
| Band score 3 - Extremely limited user | The candidates are able to understand the only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are many breakdowns in communication. |
| Band score 2 - Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty in understanding written and spoken English. |
| Band score 1 - Non-user | The test taker demonstrates no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
| Band score 0 - Did not attempt the test | The test taker doesn’t understand the language at all. |
The IELTS band score concept's main focus is the sectional scores with specific details. Most of the top universities follow the IELTS band score chart. of around 7.0 – 7.5 which is among the highest IELTS scores.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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