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IELTS Result 2023: Test Report Form, Score Validity, Score Calculation, Band Score, Band Descriptors

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Sayantani Barman

Experta en el extranjero | Updated On - Nov 28, 2023

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Candidates can receive IELTS results within 3-5 days after the exam. While for IELTS paper-delivered test, candidates will receive IELTS results at 12:00 am on the 13th day after taking the exam. IELTS score for each of the four sections is calculated on a scale of 1 – 9. The total IELTS score is calculated on the average of the four sections, and the score is given in whole-band like 6, 7, or half bands like 6.5, 7.5. Candidates scoring 8 or 9 have a very high level of competency in English.

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What Time IELTS Results Will Be Out?

IELTS scores are available online after 3-5 days of the test. The result remains on the website for the next 28 days. While the result for IELTS life skills is available within 7 days. Students can view the result of the computer-based IELTS test within 5 to 7 days of the test. IELTS scorecard will be delivered through postal mail at the address provided by the candidate during the online registration.

IELTS Test Report Form

IELTS Test report form is a paper- a copy of the result of the IELTS. Students receive the IELTS result after 13 days of the exam. Test takers can collect the result themselves from the test centers or can receive it via post. IELTS results will not be disclosed on the phone or by mail. There is no minimum marking criteria in the examination. 

How long IELTS scores are valid?

IELTS score validity is for a time period of two years – it means after 2 years, IELTS scores cannot be used as valid proof of English language proficiency. So, within IELTS test score validity, it needs to be user sent to universities. Also, there is no restriction on the number of times you can appear for the test. You can book the slot whenever you feel like you are ready for the test by following the specific IELTS exam dates.

How to Send IELTS scores to Universities

Students can send a copy of the IELTS result to five universities free of cost. To send it to more universities, an extra fee will be charged. The students who give computer-based IELTS can view their IELTS results on the official website. IELTS result is available to them after 5 to 7 days of giving the examination. Institutions always require the original copy of the IELTS TRF. These original copies can be sent to the Universities only via British Council. Applicants are required to update and clearly mention the names of Universities while applying or registering for IELTS. Candidates should clearly mention the complete address of the Universities they want the British Council to send their Test report. At once, British Council can send the TRF to only five Universities.

If you wish to send it to more Universities, you are required to pay an extra fee for that. If a candidate wants to send IELTS TRF to any other known organization along with the five Universities, he/ she is required to attach a copy of their passport with it along with the Demand Draft and send it to British Council's Gurgaon Office. Applicants will be charged another INR 1250 for an additional University. It will take 4 days for the delivery. The universities that have subscribed to electronic downloads of scores will be sent the results electronically. This will charge an additional INR 250 per University.

A sample of the IELTS Test Report Form is as follows:

IELTS Result

How to Check IELTS Result?

In order to check the IELTS paper-based test result, candidates can visit the test center and get a copy of their results. Remember, you will get only one copy of the result, so keep it safely in a secured place. Students can visit the following test centers:

  • British Council network of test centers
  • IDP IELTS Australia network of test centers
  • IELTS USA Network of test centers

Those who give a computer-based test, can view their test result online on the official website of IELTS by entering some of the necessary details.

IELTS Band Score

Each section of IELTS obtains a score between 0 to 9 – so, IELTS total score is 9, and IELTS's highest score is also 9. Candidates can also get 0.5 or 0.25 as the band score of any of the modules. IELTS score is calculated by taking the average of all the scores obtained in all four modules. It means the average IELTS score of all the sections is the IELTS band score. 

IELTS band score table, given below depicts the same:

IELTS Listening Score 8
IELTS Reading Score 7.5
IELTS Writing Score 7
IELTS Speaking Score 7.5
IELTS total score 7.5

Here, 7.5 is the obtained IELTS academic band score or IELTS general band score. 

Also, If your overall average score is 6.25, it will be rounded to 6.5. And if it is 6.75, it will become 7. The score is rounded up to the nearest 0.5. For those who score a band of 6.1, the score goes down to 6 and for the ones who score 6.9, it goes to 7.

It is to be mentioned that IELTS reading band scores and IELTS listening band scores are calculated based on the number of questions and IELTS speaking scores and IELTS writing scores are calculated based on 4 different parameters.

As we know that there are a few differences between the reading section of IELTS general and IELTS academic, yet, IELTS academic reading score and IELTS general reading score are calculated in the same way –based on the number of correct answers given. IELTS general reading band score and IELTS academic reading band score calculation show the conversion of correctly answered questions into ILETS reading band score. The same thing can be done more easily using IELTS reading score calculator. 

The same thing applies to IELTS academic listening score and IELTS general listening score – with the help of IELTS listening score calculator, the candidates can check the academic or general IELTS score for the listening section. With the help of the IELTS score chart or IELTS score table, candidates can get an idea of IELTS band score calculator. IELTS band score chart also shows the calculation of the total ILETS score. 

IELTS Band Descriptors

Each IELTS band corresponds to a level of English competence. Below is given the description of the band score along with the skill level.

BAND SCORE SKILL LEVEL DESCRIPTION
Band 9 Expert User The candidate scoring 9 band in IELTS has fully operational command of the language. Your use of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and you show complete understanding.
Band 8 Very Good User Test takers scoring band 8 have fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage.
The candidate might have misunderstood some of the unfamiliar situations but handled most of the complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7 Good User The candidates scoring average IELTS Academic band of 4 have operational command of the language and that too with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They have a good understanding of well-detailed reasoning and can handle complex languages with ease.
Band 6 Competent User Candidates who score band 6 in IELTS Academic have an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings.
They are comfortable with the complex language and understand it, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5 Modest User Candidates with band 5 in IELTS Academic have a partial command of the language and can cope with the overall meaning in most situations.
They are likely to make mistakes but can handle basic communication in their own field.
Band 4 Limited User Candidates scoring band 4 in IELTS Academic test have their basic competence limited to familiar situations only. They often have problems in understanding and expressing themselves.
They are unable to use complex language and have difficulty in dealing with such words.
Band 3 Extremely Limited User The candidates scoring band 3 are considered as the ones who convey and understand general English only and that too in very familiar situations.
They have frequent breakdowns in their conversation.
Band 2 Intermittent User Candidates have great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1 Non- User Test takers have no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.
Band 0 Did not attempt the test The candidate did not take the test or have not answered the questions.

IELTS Score Requirements in Different Countries for Education and Visa

Good IELTS score varies from country to country and also from university to university. IELTS score is accepted in all the English- speaking countries like US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Australia for education and also for Visa. Whenever a candidate is required to obtain a visa for educational or training or professional purposes. The requirement to obtain a visa is given below:

IELTS Score for UK 

Countries like the UK accept the IELTS test score as the English language proficiency for UG or PG Courses. Below is given a compact list of some of the Universities along with their IELTS Band score required to obtain a UK Visa. Check the table for IELTS Cutoff for the UK

IELTS BAND SCORE UNIVERSITY
7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG University of Oxford
7.0 University of Cambridge
7.0 Imperial College of London
6.5 University College London
7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG London School of Economics and Political Science

IELTS Score for USA

Candidates must score more than 7.0 Band score in IELTS in order to be eligible to obtain a visa in order to study or work in the USA.

IELTS Score for Australia

In order to apply for Australian Universities, candidates have to score a minimum of 6.5 band score in the IELTS. For Undergraduate courses, you are required to score a minimum of 6.5 band score while 7.0 for the PG Courses. IELTS score for Australia is mentioned in the table below: 

IELTS BAND SCORE UNIVERSITY
7.0 University of Melbourne
6.5 for UG and 7.0 for PG Australian National University
6.5 for UG and 6.5 for PG University of Sydney
6.5 University of Queensland
6.5 Monash University

IELTS Score for Canada

IELTS score for Canada PR is also around 7. Canadian universities also have an IELTS score requirement of 7 and higher. It is often asked “Is 6.5 a good score in IELTS for Canada?” – sometimes 6.5 IELTS score ith a sectional score of 6-7 is accepted. To know “How many points are required for Canada PR 2020?”.  Overall IELTS academic score of 7 or higher will keep the candidates on the safer side. IELTS Result is available only after 13 days of appearing for the exam. The result can be directly sent to the Universities by the British Council. But, for that candidates have to clearly mention the Universities at the time of registering for the examination. Obtaining a good band score on the IELTS test ensures your admission to the reputed English-speaking universities in countries like UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, etc.

IELTS Results FAQs

Ques. What is the validity of IELTS test score?

Ans. IELTS scores are usually valid for a period of 2 years. However, exceptions can be made by institutions if candidates can provide evidence regarding their efforts to maintain and improve their command over english. IELTS test partners take no responsibility for the test results that are more than two years old.

Ques. Can I get more than one hard copy of TRF?

Ans. Candidates will receive a hard copy of their Test Report Form, this is included in the exam fee. Ordering more than one Test Report Form will be chargeable to the candidates.

Ques. Is 7 a good score in IELTS?

Ans. Yes, band 7 is considered as a ‘good user’ in IELTS scoring. This tells us that the candidate uses the language well but under certain situations, there may be misunderstandings and inaccuracies and he/she may showcase inappropriate usage. Read More

Ques. Is there any limit to the number of attempts in IELTS?

Ans. No, there is no specified limit to the number of attempts one can take at IELTS.

Ques. When can I preview my IELTS Score?

Ans. IELTS results can be previewed online 13 days after the test. Results shall be available online for a period of 28 days. Candidates must note that the online preview of result can not be considered as an official confirmation of candidate’s performance.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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