How IELTS scores work

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest achievable score. Each section of the exam - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking - is scored individually, and an overall band score is calculated by averaging the scores of each section.

The scores for each section of the exam are based on the number of correct answers. For the Listening and Reading sections, the number of correct answers is converted to a band score using a conversion table. The Writing and Speaking sections are assessed by certified examiners, who use a set of criteria to award a band score. The criteria for the Writing section include Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy, while the criteria for the Speaking section include Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation.

After the exam, candidates receive a Test Report Form (TRF) that includes their overall band score, as well as their individual band scores for each section. The TRF also includes a breakdown of the candidate's performance in each section, including their raw score, the band score for that section, and a brief explanation of the band descriptors.

The band descriptors provide detailed information on what is expected at each band score level. For example, at the highest level (band 9), a candidate is expected to have full operational command of the language, with accurate and fluent use of complex language structures. At the lowest level (band 1), a candidate has extremely limited ability and struggles to communicate in English.

It is important to note that different institutions have different requirements for IELTS scores, depending on the purpose of the exam. For example, a university may require a minimum overall band score of 6.5, while a professional organization may require a higher score. Candidates should research the requirements of the institution they are applying to in order to determine what score they need to achieve.

In conclusion, the IELTS exam is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9, with each section of the exam - Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking - scored individually. Candidates receive a Test Report Form (TRF) that includes their overall band score, individual band scores for each section, and a breakdown of their performance in each section.