A Quick Guide to IELTS Scores (Clear & Simple Explanation)

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam is a globally recognized test that assesses your English language proficiency in four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

More than 4 million people take the IELTS test each year, so you can make a quick guess about the importance of the IELTS exam.Yes, It is the most popular English language test for studying abroad and moving to new countries.

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Here, we are going to discuss:

The IELTS scoring system
Band score descriptions
Complete details on the inferences you can make from your overall Band Score
IELTS score requirements for different goals
And so much more that every IELTS candidate should know.

Roll up your sleeves! Let’s gain a detailed understanding of the different aspects of the IELTS score.

What is The IELTS Scoring System?

The IELTS scoring system is a way to measure your English language skills. It uses a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

You get a score for each of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Your overall score is the average of these four scores.

Hope you got an idea about the IELTS scoring system. But what does each band score denote? How does it shed light on your English language proficiency? Let’s have a look.

What Each IELTS Band Score Really Means

When you get your Test Report Form, you’ll see your overall score and your scores for each part of the test: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.What it explains?

First, let’s understand what the overall score means and the scenarios where specific bands are required.

Band Score	Skill Level	What It Represents
9	Expert User	Very advanced English, suitable for academic research or specialised work.
8	Very Good User	Advanced English, suitable for university studies or professional work.
7	Good User	Good working knowledge of English, suitable for most university courses and many professional jobs
6	Competent User	Intermediate level of English, suitable for general communication and some academic or professional contexts.
5	Modest User	Limited ability to use English, suitable for basic communication.
4	Limited User	Very basic knowledge of English, suitable for very simple tasks and interactions.
3	Extremely Limited User	Extremely basic knowledge of English, suitable for very simple, routine tasks.
2	Intermittent User	Non-user, has no practical ability to use the language.
1	Non-User	Essentially no ability to use the language.

Understanding Your Overall Band Score

When you understand how your overall band score is calculated, it gives you an idea of how your performance in each section contributes to the final result.

Please keep in mind that your overall score is what most universities, employers, or immigration offices will look at.

Your overall IELTS band score is calculated by taking the average of your four individual skill scores: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each skill is assessed on a scale of 1-9.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Calculate the average: Add up your four skill scores and divide by 4.
Rounding: Your overall band score is then rounded to the nearest half band.

Rounding Rules:

- 0.25 or less: Round down to the nearest half band.
- 0.75 or more: Round up to the nearest half band.
- 0.5: Round to the nearest half band, which could be up or down depending on the other decimal places.

These numbers might terrify you. Worry not! We are here to help. Please refer to the example below—you will find it easy to understand.

Example 1:

Listening: 7.0
Reading: 7.5
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 7.0

Calculation:

(7.0 + 7.5 + 6.5 + 7.0) / 4 = 7.0

Overall Band Score: 7.0

Example 2:

Listening: 6.2
Reading: 7.3
Writing: 6.8
Speaking: 7.1

Calculation:

(6.2 + 7.3 + 6.8 + 7.1) / 4 = 6.85

Overall Band Score: 7.0 (Rounded up to the nearest half band)

Hope you have understood this. Next, it’s time to turn your attention to IELTS score requirements for different goals.

IELTS Score Requirements for Different Goals

Imagine, you are planning to move to London for your graduation.You might still be unsure about the IELTS score you need. Don’t worry! We’ve compiled the requirements in the table below to make it clear.

Here are the IELTS scores required for various purposes, including studying, working, and immigrating to English-speaking countries.

Study Purposes

Undergraduate Studies :

Most universities require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.

Some prestigious universities may require a higher score, like 6.5 or 7.0.

Postgraduate Studies

Postgraduate programs often require a higher IELTS score, usually around 6.5 or 7.0.

Specific programs, like medicine or law, may have even higher requirements.

Work and Immigration

Work:

Many international companies require a minimum IELTS score, especially for jobs that involve client interaction or technical writing.

The specific score required can vary based on the job and company.

Immigration:

Australia: Different visa categories have different IELTS score requirements. For example, skilled migration visas often require a minimum score of 6.0.

Canada: Canadian immigration programs, like Express Entry, have specific language requirements, including IELTS.

UK: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sets IELTS requirements for various visa categories, including student visas and work visas.

New Zealand: New Zealand Immigration also uses IELTS to assess English language proficiency for visa applications.

Remember: Specific score requirements can change over time. It’s essential to check the latest information from the institution, organisation, or government agency you’re applying to.

Interpreting Scores for Retake Decisions

With big dreams, someone might take the IELTS exam, but when they score below their expectations, their confidence often takes a hit.

There’s no need for that! You can retake the test and focus on improving the areas where your score was lower. How can this be done? We have the answers for you!

If you are planning to retake the IELTS, you can do it as soon as possible. Some countries accept retakes too. But the question is, are you prepared? Always remember, preparation is the key.

Work hard and reach your goal. While you can retake the test as many times as needed, qualifying on the first try makes a big difference. Yes, you can do it! How? The answer is coming.

How to Easily Qualify for IELTS?

Nothing worthwhile comes easy, and the same goes for IELTS. It’s not easy, but with the right preparation and strategies, you can succeed. At Speeki AI, we help students achieve their goals with the best IELTS coaching in Kerala.

What do we offer? Intense preparation guided by Aparna Mulberry. We identify your mistakes and teach you how to speak like a native speaker. Plus, we go beyond just native speakers—we utilise AI tools to help you practise effectively and achieve your desired results.

Are you ready to take the IELTS exam? We’re here to provide complete support every step of the way!