The Test Report Form provides your overall band score and band scores for each of the four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
The overall band score is the average of the four sections scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The sections scores are weighted equally.
Some examples:
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average of four components (total of the four individual component scores divided by four) |
Bandscore | |
| Test Taker A | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| Test Taker B | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.875 | 4.0 |
| Test Taker C | 6.5 |
6.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.125 | 6.0 |
If the average of the four sections ends in .25, the overall band score is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, the overall band score is rounded up to the next whole band.
Listening
The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
Reading
The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS nine-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.
The Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The distinction between the two tests is one of genre or text type. However, Academic Reading tests may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.
The tables below indicate the average number of marks required to achieve a particular band score in Listening, Academic Reading and General Training Reading. Note that the precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.
Listening
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
Academic Reading
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
General Training Reading
| Band score | Raw score out of 40 |
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
Writing
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
Examiners use assessment criteria to award a band score for each of the four criteria:
The criteria are weighted equally and the Speaking band score is the average.
Versions of the assessment criteria for Writing and Speaking have been developed to help stakeholders better understand the level of performance required to secure a particular band score:
Support materials for organisations
Our IELTS guides provide an overview of test development, assessment and score processing for educational institutions, professional bodies and employers.
IELTS scores guide
Invite colleagues who process IELTS scores at your organization to review the IELTS Scores Guide.
Setting your IELTS score
Guidance to help you set appropriate IELTS score requirements for your organisation.