IELTSVegaIELTS scoring
IELTS band scores, explained.
IELTS reports a band score from 0 to 9 for each skill and for the test overall, in half-band steps. Here is what every band score means, how it lines up with the CEFR, and which band you are likely to need.
The IELTS band score scale, 0 to 9
Half bands such as 6.5 or 7.5 sit between the descriptions either side of them. The CEFR tag is the level each IELTS band score is aligned to, which is what many European universities and some visa routes quote.
- 9
- Expert userCEFR C2Full command of English: accurate, appropriate and fluent, with complete understanding.
- 8
- Very good userCEFR C1Fully operational, with only occasional unsystematic errors. Handles complex, detailed argument well.
- 7
- Good userCEFR C1Operational command with occasional inaccuracies. Handles complex language and follows detailed reasoning.
- 6
- Competent userCEFR B2Generally effective despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings, especially in familiar situations.
- 5
- Modest userCEFR B1Partial command. Copes with the overall meaning in most situations but makes many mistakes.
- 4
- Limited userCEFR B1Basic competence limited to familiar situations. Frequent problems in understanding and expression.
- 3
- Extremely limited userConveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Communication often breaks down.
- 2
- Intermittent userGreat difficulty understanding spoken and written English beyond isolated words.
- 1
- Non-userNo ability to use the language beyond a few isolated words.
- 0
- Did not attempt the testNo assessable answers were given.
IELTS band score to CEFR
| IELTS band score | CEFR level | Typically enough for |
|---|---|---|
| 8.5 - 9 | C2 | Any course or profession |
| 7 - 8 | C1 | Competitive universities, medicine, law and professional registration |
| 5.5 - 6.5 | B2 | Most undergraduate and many postgraduate courses |
| 4 - 5 | B1 | Foundation and pathway programmes |
How each skill gets its band score
Listening & Reading are marked out of 40. Your raw score converts to a band with a fixed table. Roughly 30/40 is Band 7 and 35/40 is Band 8. Every mark counts, and spelling must be correct.
Writing & Speaking are marked on four equally-weighted criteria (Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, plus Pronunciation in Speaking).
How the overall band score is calculated
- Your overall band is the average of the four skill bands, rounded to the nearest half-band.
- A .25 average rounds up to the next half-band; .75 rounds up to the next whole band. So 6.75 becomes 7.0.
- Within Writing, Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1.
- Because of rounding, lifting your weakest skill by half a band can raise your whole result.
Aiming for a specific band?
How to get Band 6.5 in IELTS
the common minimum for many undergraduate courses and some visa categories.
How to get Band 7 in IELTS
the most requested band for skilled migration and competitive university courses.
How to get Band 8 in IELTS
a strong score for elite universities, professional registration, and standing out in migration.
How to get Band 9 in IELTS
the maximum score: near-native, sought by a small number of candidates and for perfect scores.
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