Your test score
All IELTS results are released 13 calendar days after the
test.
You can be sure that an IELTS score tests and demonstrates your
true ability to communicate in English across all four language
skills – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Test writers from different English-speaking countries develop
IELTS content so it reflects real-life situations around the world.
This means that IELTS gives you an accurate assessment of your
understanding and your ability to communicate effectively in
English as you will be using it.
The internationally-recognised nine (9) band score system of
IELTS is a dependable way to measure your language proficiency.
Each Band corresponds to a descriptive statement giving a
summary of English competence. Overall Band Scores can be reported
in either whole or half Bands.
The nine bands and their descriptive statements are:
9 Expert User
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate,
accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
8 Very Good User
Has fully operational command of the language with only
occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies.
Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles
complex detailed argumentation well.
7 Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional
inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some
situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands
detailed reasoning.
6 Competent User
Has generally effective command of the language despite some
inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and
understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar
situations.
5 Modest User
Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning
in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should
be able to handle basic communication in own field.
4 Limited User
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent
problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use
complex language.
3 Extremely Limited User
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar
situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User
No real communication is possible except for the most basic
information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar
situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty
understanding spoken and written English.
1 Non User
Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a
few isolated words.
0 Did not attempt the test
No assessable information provided.
