How IELTS is scored
IELTS results are reported on a 9-band scale for each test section, which reflects your proficiency in English. The IELTS Test Report Form will show a score for each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). These individual scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an overall band score. One can score whole band scores (for example 5.0, 6.0) or half band scores (for example 5.5, 6.5) in every section of the test.
IELTS results are designed to be simple and easy to understand. They are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
| 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. |
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| 8 | Very good user | The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccurate and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well. |
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| 7 | Good user | The test taker has operational command of the language,though with occasional inaccurancies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning. |
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| 6 | Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccurancies,inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand faily complex language,particurlarly 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 communications 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 converys and understands only general meanings 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. | |||
