1.3. What Your Band Score Means
Understand the 0 to 9 scale and work out an overall band from four scores.
The short version
0 to 9 is the score for each part.
Half bands exist, such as 6.5 and 7.5.
Your overall band is the average of the four parts.
Many universities ask for 6.5 or 7.0.
The 0 to 9 scale
Each part gets its own band score. Nine is the highest. You do not pass or fail IELTS. You simply get a score, and the people who asked for it decide if it is enough. Many universities ask for an overall 6.5 or 7.0.
What the bands mean
Every whole band has a short description of what that level of English is like. The half bands in between, such as 6.5, sit between two of these and have no description of their own.
Very good English. Handles difficult language comfortably.
Good English. Copes well, with the occasional slip.
Competent English. Effective, though not always accurate.
Modest English. Copes with basic communication.
Your overall band
Add your four scores together, then divide by four. That average is your overall band.
| Part | Band |
|---|---|
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Reading | 6.5 |
| Writing | 6.0 |
| Speaking | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
The four scores add up to 26. Divided by four, that is an overall band of 6.5.
Quiz time3 questions
Three quick questions on scoring.
The top score
Choose the highest band.
What is the highest band score?
The overall band
Choose how it is worked out.
How is your overall band worked out?
Half bands
Choose the true statement.
Can you score 6.5 in IELTS?
Recap
Each part is scored from 0 to 9, and half bands such as 6.5 are normal.
Your overall band is the average of the four parts.
There is no pass or fail. There is only a score.
Next: the paper you have chosen to study, and what it looks like.