IELTS Band Score Reference Table
| Band Score | Correct Answers (out of 40) | Skill Level Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 39-40 | Expert user – fully operational command |
| 8 | 37-38 | Very good user – occasional inaccuracies |
| 7 | 35-36 | Good user – occasional errors |
| 6.5 | 32-34 | Competent user – generally effective |
| 6 | 30-31 | Competent user – some misunderstandings |
| 5.5 | 27-29 | Modest user – frequent problems |
| 5 | 23-26 | Modest user – limited command |
| 4.5 | 19-22 | Limited user – basic competence |
| 4 | 15-18 | Limited user – frequent breakdowns |
| 3.5 | 12-14 | Extremely limited user |
| 3 | 9-11 | Extremely limited user |
| 2.5 | 6-8 | Intermittent user |
| 2 | 4-5 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | 1-3 | Non-user |
| 0 | 0 | Did not attempt |
| Band Score | Correct Answers (out of 40) | Skill Level Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 39-40 | Expert user – fully operational command |
| 8 | 36-38 | Very good user – occasional inaccuracies |
| 7 | 34-35 | Good user – occasional errors |
| 6.5 | 32-33 | Competent user – generally effective |
| 6 | 30-31 | Competent user – some misunderstandings |
| 5.5 | 27-29 | Modest user – frequent problems |
| 5 | 23-26 | Modest user – limited command |
| 4.5 | 19-22 | Limited user – basic competence |
| 4 | 15-18 | Limited user – frequent breakdowns |
| 3.5 | 12-14 | Extremely limited user |
| 3 | 9-11 | Extremely limited user |
| 2.5 | 6-8 | Intermittent user |
| 2 | 4-5 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | 1-3 | Non-user |
| 0 | 0 | Did not attempt |
| Band Score | Correct Answers (out of 40) | Skill Level Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 40 | Expert user – fully operational command |
| 8 | 37-39 | Very good user – occasional inaccuracies |
| 7 | 34-36 | Good user – occasional errors |
| 6.5 | 32-33 | Competent user – generally effective |
| 6 | 30-31 | Competent user – some misunderstandings |
| 5.5 | 27-29 | Modest user – frequent problems |
| 5 | 23-26 | Modest user – limited command |
| 4.5 | 19-22 | Limited user – basic competence |
| 4 | 15-18 | Limited user – frequent breakdowns |
| 3.5 | 12-14 | Extremely limited user |
| 3 | 9-11 | Extremely limited user |
| 2.5 | 6-8 | Intermittent user |
| 2 | 4-5 | Intermittent user |
| 1 | 1-3 | Non-user |
| 0 | 0 | Did not attempt |
Band 9
✔ Fully addresses all parts of the task
✔ Presents a fully developed position
✔ Uses a wide range of vocabulary with precision
✔ Uses a wide range of grammatical structures with full flexibility
✔ No errors
Band 8
✔ Covers all requirements of the task
✔ Presents a well-developed response
✔ Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently
✔ Uses a variety of complex structures
✔ Only rare minor errors
Band 7
✔ Addresses all parts of the task
✔ Presents a clear position throughout
✔ Uses less common vocabulary with awareness
✔ Uses a variety of complex sentences
✔ Few errors
Band 6
✔ Addresses the task adequately
✔ Presents a relevant position
✔ Uses an adequate range of vocabulary
✔ Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences
✔ Some errors but meaning is clear
Band 5
✔ Addresses the task only partially
✔ Position is unclear or limited
✔ Uses limited vocabulary
✔ Uses only simple sentence structures
✔ Frequent errors may cause difficulty
Band 4
✔ Responds to the task in a limited way
✔ No clear position
✔ Uses basic vocabulary only
✔ Uses very few subordinate clauses
✔ Many errors distort meaning
Band 9
✔ Speaks fluently with no effort
✔ Uses vocabulary with full precision
✔ Uses a full range of grammatical structures
✔ Pronunciation is natural and effortless
✔ No errors
Band 8
✔ Speaks fluently with occasional repetition
✔ Uses a wide range of vocabulary
✔ Uses a variety of complex structures
✔ Pronunciation is easily understood
✔ Only rare minor errors
Band 7
✔ Speaks at length without noticeable effort
✔ Uses less common vocabulary
✔ Uses a range of complex sentences
✔ Pronunciation is clear and natural
✔ Few errors
Band 6
✔ Willing to speak at length
✔ Uses adequate range of vocabulary
✔ Uses a mix of simple and complex sentences
✔ Pronunciation is generally clear
✔ Some errors but meaning is clear
Band 5
✔ Maintains flow but with noticeable pauses
✔ Uses limited vocabulary
✔ Uses only simple sentences
✔ Pronunciation causes some strain
✔ Frequent errors
Band 4
✔ Cannot respond without long pauses
✔ Uses basic vocabulary only
✔ Uses very simple sentence structures
✔ Pronunciation causes significant strain
✔ Many errors distort meaning
Calculate Your Overall Band Score
Note: Overall band = average of four skills, rounded to nearest 0.5
| Band | Skill Level | Listening (out of 40) | Reading Academic | Reading General |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | 39-40 | 39-40 | 40 |
| 8 | Very good user | 37-38 | 36-38 | 37-39 |
| 7 | Good user | 35-36 | 34-35 | 34-36 |
| 6.5 | Competent user | 32-34 | 32-33 | 32-33 |
| 6 | Competent user | 30-31 | 30-31 | 30-31 |
| 5.5 | Modest user | 27-29 | 27-29 | 27-29 |
| 5 | Modest user | 23-26 | 23-26 | 23-26 |
| 4.5 | Limited user | 19-22 | 19-22 | 19-22 |
| 4 | Limited user | 15-18 | 15-18 | 15-18 |
| 3.5 | Extremely limited | 12-14 | 12-14 | 12-14 |
