All about IELTS BAND SCORES...

The following Ielts band scores are used to measure your abilities in the English language according, at least, to the Ielts score.

Remember, that there is no "pass" or "fail" with the Ielts test.

Ielts band scores are calculated from raw scores.

Raw scores can be thought of in the following manner.

Let's say, out of forty questions in the Ielts reading test you got 20, or half, right. The number 20 would be considered your raw score and the corresponding Ielts band scores would be a 5.5. The following chart shows Ielts band scores with corresponding raw scores.  

Reading Test               Listening Test
 

9. Expert User - native speaker level of the language.

8. Very Good User - excellent command of the language, a few mistakes only

7. Good User - handles language well, some inaccuracies, communicates adequately

6. Competent User - reasonable control of the language, difficulties with unfamiliar

5. Modest User - adequate in own area, difficulties with complex structures

4. Limited User - adequate only in familiar areas, difficulty understanding expression

3. Very Limited User - problems communicating, limited communication abilities

2. Intermittent User - many difficulties, basic information only

1. Non User - understands a few isolated words only

Again, your raw score is the number of answers you actually got right. The Ielts band scores are those numbers that correspond to your raw score which are the number of correct answers.

Notice that the Ielts score does not correspond to the same numbers of raw scores in both tests. Many universities require a Ielts score of at least 6 for academic entrance requirements.

Be sure to check with your university to learn what Ielts band scores they require for

the program you intend to study.