IELTS Band Score Calculation – Calculating General and Academic Band Scores
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Those of you who are busy applying for foreign universities must have come across this term frequently when reading the English Language requirements.
For instance: IELTS Academic [ 7] with no band less than 6.5
Let’s decipher this.
In IELTS, be it Academic or General, there are four sections. They are:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
IELTS Section – Time allotted and no. of questions
It is compulsory to attempt all four sections. The listening test is for 30 minutes + 10 minutes [to transfer answers in a paper-based exam]. Reading and Writing tests are for an hour. Speaking is for 14- 15 minutes.
Let’s see the maximum marks for each section.
- Listening test – 40 questions
- Reading Test – 40 questions
- Writing test – 2 tasks
- Speaking – Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
You will get a score for each section. These are called individual band scores. The average of the four is called the overall band score.
Going back to our question, IELTS Academic [ 7] with no band less than 6.5 means, the average of all the scores must be a 7.0.
Modules | Scoring | Band Achieved |
---|---|---|
Listening | 31/40 | Band 7 |
Reading | 37/40 | Band 8.5 |
Writing | Based on band descriptors | Band 6.5 |
Speaking | Based on band descriptors | Band 6.5 |
So the average will be (7.0+8.5+6.5+6.5 / 4) = 28.5 / 4 = 7.125 = Band 7.0 -> Qualified
If the band scores are like this :
Modules | Scoring | Band Achieved |
---|---|---|
Listening | 31/40 | Band 7 |
Reading | 37/40 | Band 8.5 |
Writing | Based on band descriptors | Band 6.5 |
Speaking | Based on band descriptors | Band 6.0 |
So the average will be (7.0+8.5+6.5+6.0 / 4) = 28 / 4 = 7.0 = Band 7.0 → But disqualified because it is Band 6.0 in Speaking
Learn the nuances in Band score calculations:
Whole band scores : 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 are called whole band scores
0.5 band scores: 4.5, 7.5, 8.5 are called 0.5 band scores
You will be assigned a band score based on how near it is to a particular whole band score or a 0.5 band score
Band score | Nearest to the whole band or 0.5 band | Rounded of a band score |
---|---|---|
7.1 | Whole band 7.0 | 7.0 |
5.78 | Whole band 6.0 | 6.0 |
7.25 ( Call yourself lucky!!) | Near to both whole band 7.0 and 0.5 band 7.5 | Luckily marked as 7.5 |
Listening and Speaking are assessed in the same way for IELTS Academic and General. Reading and Writing vary.
Resources to help you score better in IELTS Writing
- Advanced Prepositions To Score Band 7.0+ In IELTS Writing
- IELTS Writing Task 1 Test On 3rd February 2018 With Band 8.0-9.0 Sample
- How To Get A Band 8.0 In IELTS Writing Task 2 – Tips, Strategies, And Band 9.0 Sample
Resources to help you score better in IELTS Speaking
- 25 Useful Idioms To Help You Score Band 8.0+ For IELTS Speaking (Part 4/5)
- Two-Word Prepositions To Score Band 7.0+ In IELTS Writing & Speaking (Part 3)
- IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic & Questions: Friends & Band 8.0+ Sample
- IELTS Speaking Test In Jan 2019 & Band 9 Model Answers
- New IELTS Speaking Part 1 With Band 9 Model Answer – Topic: Rubbish/ Garbage
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the IELTS test band score calculated?
What is a good score for IELTS?
How is the IELTS band score calculated for the Reading test?
Is IELTS band 6.0 a good score?
Learn everything about IELTS
Explore other IELTS Articles

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson

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1 Comment
Shabnam
Posted on Feb 18, 2022
Thanks for everything,your group is the best
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