Your IELTS test results are available 13 days after your test date. You can either view your IELTS results online or contact your test centre.

The IELTS scoring system

There is no pass or fail in IELTS. Scores are graded on the 9-band system. Each educational university or school sets its own minimum IELTS scores to meet its individual requirements.

IELTS test results for all four sections – reading, writing, listening and speaking, are provided separately. Mostly, an average of 6.5, with a band score above or equal to 6 in each of the 4 sections, is welcomed by most universities and schools.

Band Score

Skill Level

Description

Band 9

Expert user

has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Band 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.

Band 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.

Band 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.

Band 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.

Band 4

Limited user

basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Band 3

Extremely limited user

conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 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.

Band 1

Non-user

essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Band 0

Did not attempt the test

No assessable information provided.

How is your overall band score calculated?

The Academic and General Training papers are graded to the same scale. Your overall band score is calculated by taking the mean score of the four test components (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The score for each component is equally weighted. Your overall band score is rounded to the nearest whole or half band.

For example:

If you achieve 6.5 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 5.0 for Writing and 7.0 for Speaking, you will be awarded an Overall Band Score of 6.5.
Total score of 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 which is a band score of 6.5.
If you achieve 4.0 for Listening, 3.5 for Reading, 4.0 for Writing and 4.0 for Speaking, you would be awarded an Overall Band Score of 4.0.
Total score of 15.5 ÷ 4 = 3.875 which is a band score of 4.0.

Scoring criteria

IELTS Listening and Reading papers contain 40 items and each correct item is awarded one mark; the maximum raw score a candidate can achieve on a paper is 40. To understand how IELTS Writing and Speaking are scored, you can download the official assessment criteria below.

IELTS score validity

Your IELTS score is valid for two years, with no limit on how many times you can use it for study, work or migration.

Source: https://www.ieltsessentials.com/global/results