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Understanding Your IELTS Score
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.
IELTS Scale
Band score | Skill level | Description |
9 | Expert user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
7 | Good user | The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
6 | Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. |
5 | Modest user | The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field. |
4 | Limited user | The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language. |
3 | Extremely limited user | The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication. |
2 | Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
1 | Non-user | The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words. |
0 | Did not attempt the test | The test taker did not answer the questions. |
IELTS results are recognised by more than 10,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world. Universities and schools, which are subscribed to receive the IELTS scores, can directly view your scores online.
Enquiry on Results (EOR)
You can apply for a re-mark, known as an Enquiry on Results (EOR), at your test centre within six weeks of the test date. You must pay an enquiry fee, which will be fully refunded if your band score changes.