A complete guide to IELTS score and how it is calculated section-wise

To gain admission to the desired university, most students aspiring to study abroad are required to take the IELTS examination. It is crucial for these individuals to comprehend the process of calculating IELTS band scores. This article aims to provide information on the calculation of IELTS band scores.
 

The IELTS examination consists of four modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and test-takers are awarded band scores ranging from 1 to 9. The overall band score is calculated by averaging the scores of these four modules and rounding up to the nearest whole or half band. In this blog, we will cover the evaluation and assessment criteria used to determine IELTS band scores. It is essential for candidates to have a clear understanding of how these scores are marked, so let's begin.

 IELTS Band Score Descriptor

Everything about the IELTS band score can be understood if we first understand what each band score signifies:

• Band 9: An expert user has demonstrated accurate, appropriate, and fluent usage of the English language while displaying complete mastery.
• Band 8:  An individual who has attained level 8 in English can express themselves fluently with only occasional grammatical errors and poor phraseology. They may not grasp all the elements of a narrative that is unfamiliar to them. In other words, they may handle dense and complicated material with ease.
• Band 7: An individual who aspires to achieve mastery of the English language has near-perfect mastery, despite some occasional mistakes, inaccuracies, and misinterpretations. They are able to handle complex language satisfactorily while understanding the reasoning behind it.
• Band 6:  Despite a few instances of improper usage, inaccuracies, and misinterpretations, the aspirant has practical English language command. They can use and understand complex language, especially during familiar situations.
• Band 5:  An aspirant may not have mastered English completely and might make several blunders. However, they will be able to handle basic communication in their work environment.
• Band 4: An individual with a limited knowledge of English may have trouble communicating effectively. He or she may also have trouble understanding spoken or written English.
• Band 3 : An extremely limited user understands and communicates just basic meanings in highly familiar scenarios. The communication is not fluent and is often disrupted.
• Band 2 : These aspiring students have a tough time comprehending and speaking English correctly.
• Band 1:  Not able to speak English proficiently except for a few words.

Difference Between Raw Scores and Band Scores in the IELTS 

The scoring for the listening and reading sections of IELTS is based on the number of correct answers that a candidate gives on the test. A candidate's score is translated onto a scale from 1 to 9 after they're scored out of 40. For example, a 39-40, 37-38, 35-36, 32-34, and 30-31 raw score on the listening portion of the IELTS test translates to a 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, and 7 band score, respectively. 

Academic and General Training tests are included in the IELTS reading section. To receive a higher band score in IELTS, a candidate must get a better raw score on the General Training Reading test than on the academic one.

In the IELTS writing and speaking sections, there are two tasks each, and the examinees are assessed on the basis of certain criteria. The examiners award IELTS scores on the basis of four categories: Task Achievement (Task 1) and Task Response (Task 2), Lexical Resource, Coherence, and Cohesion, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. 

The Speaking section is rated on the basis of Grammatical Range and Accuracy, Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Pronunciation. Each category is given equal weightage, and the band scores are determined as the sum of scores awarded for each category.

Formula for IELTS Band Scores Calculation

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam consists of four sections: Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking. The band score is the sum of the scores in the four sections, and it is then rounded to the nearest half or whole (whichever is closer). For example, if an applicant receives 6.5, 6.5, 5.0, and 7.0 in the four sections, then their average will be 6.25 and the band score will be rounded to the nearest half, which is 6.5.

Suppose another candidate gets 4.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.0 for these sections, their average score will be 3.875. Then their IELTS score will be 4.0.

An individual who receives 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, and 6.0 in these sections will have an average score of 6.125 and a band score of 6.0. If the average finishes at .25, the overall band score will be rounded to the nearest half band, which will be .50. If it ends at .75, it will be rounded to the next whole band.

Understanding IELTS Band Score Section-Wise

Before preparing for the IELTS tests, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the IELTS Band Score Chart and scoring system, as your performance level is determined by your IELTS band score. To gain clarity on the assessment criteria and how scores translate into section-wise band scores, go through these following sections below.

IELTS Listening

Listening Section Assessment Criteria

There are 40 questions in the IELTS listening section. Every right answer is worth one mark. The band score is determined based on the number of marks out of 40 that a test taker gets. You can see a chart summarizing the relationship between the number of marks and the IELTS listening band score chart in the following table:

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IELTS Reading

Reading Section Assessment Criteria

Every correct answer on the IELTS Reading section yields one point. There are 40 questions in the Academic and General Training Reading exams, and they are evaluated on a nine-band scale. The Academic Reading category is graded on the same scale as the General Training Reading category, but the only difference is the text or genre type. On the General Training Reading exam, a higher number of correct answers is required for a good grade, as the vocabulary and content are more challenging. Check out IELTS reading band score chart below:

IELTS Academic Reading Band Score

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IELTS General Reading Band Score

Click here >>> IELTS reading test format, question types and more          

IELTS Writing

Writing Section Assessment Criteria

There are two tasks in the IELTS Writing Section, and each one is evaluated based on four criteria. Each criterion is weighed equally, and the marks are averaged across them. The criteria are as follows:

Task 1 and Task 2

Task 1          

Candidates must provide an overview and information in 150 words for Task 1. IELTS assesses the candidate's ability to provide detailed information about illustrations and key features by assessing their ability to express them correctly. The higher the band score, the better the candidate scores. Failing to meet the word count requirement can result in a penalty.

Task 2        

A candidate taking the IELTS Writing section must compose an essay in 250 words in response to an essay-type question. The candidate is assessed on the parts of the essay that use relevant examples to develop the main idea. A deficient word count for Task 2 of the IELTS test can result in a penalty.

Lexical Resources   

Using the correct words and spelling is ensured under this category. Thus, it is advised to avoid using informal language and incorrect terms to achieve a high score under this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion    

The examiner checks for the candidate's ability to use linking words effectively, use cohesive devices such as conjunctions and connectors, and paragraph properly by marking under this criterion. The number of paragraphs is also evaluated when assessing the essay. Consequently, dividing the essay into too many or too few paragraphs may lead to a poor evaluation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy    

Proper use of sentences, sentence structure formation, grammar control, the use of simple and complex sentences with clear ideas, and proper punctuation are assessed when scoring under this criterion.

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IELTS Speaking

Speaking Section Assessment Criteria

The three tasks in the IELTS Speaking section are all about face-to-face interaction with the examinee. Each band score is based on specific assessment criteria, and each criterion is weighed equally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy 

 A candidate hoping to perform well on the IELTS Speaking test must employ a wide range of grammatical structures correctly. Copying a limited set of grammatically correct sentences will not be sufficient to achieve a high score. It is important to demonstrate the correct use of a variety of grammatical structures, such as simple, compound, and complex sentences in balanced proportions.

A wide range of tenses, modals used for different purposes, active and passive voice, connectors used to link several thoughts, comparative and superlative adjectives, and subordinate and relative clauses are evaluated when scoring for grammatical range and correctness.

Fluency and Coherence    

 A candidate's ability to speak fluently without noticeable hesitation, pauses, or repetition, as well as their ability to make the message easy to understand, is assessed. In terms of coherence, their ability to link between and within sentences while speaking and to make the listener follow their thoughts is assessed.

The factors that contribute to higher scores in Fluency and Coherence are listed below.

• Creating logical connections among a particular topic component is crucial.
• The ability to self-correct should be limited.
• Use a variety of linking words and other strategies to present ideas.
• Reduce the frequency of language-related pauses
• Avoid the habit of using filler words such as 'you know,' 'like,' 'um,' etc.

Lexical Resources  

A candidate's lexical resource is the range of vocabulary used. In order to achieve high scores on this parameter, one should employ fewer common phrases and idiomatic language, using a natural tone and a wide range of vocabulary.

There are several reasons why Lexical Resource scores higher.

• Avoiding repetition and using different words to express the same idea.
• Knowing the correct use of rare words.
• The ability to paraphrase is important.
• It is better to say 'go shopping' rather than 'do shopping'.
• Idioms, phrasal verbs, and figurative language must be accurate.
• Use the correct words to convey the right connotation. For example, slim conveys a positive connotation, but skinny conveys a negative one.

Pronunciation   

When taking the IELTS test, candidates should be aware that pronunciation and accent are two different things. The examinee should speak in a manner that is clear and distinct so that the examiner can focus on the larger issues. To score high on the IELTS test, you should make certain you have these characteristics.

• correct pronunciation of individual phonemes
• Strong and weak sounds in sentence
• Stress - at the level of word and sentence.
• Express the correct feeling
• Linking sounds and contractions for fluency.
• Pause and stress, for emphasis, are known as chunking.

Click to Learn More >>> IELTS Speaking Cue Card Topics _ Samples with Answers 2023          

Tips to Improve your Final IELTS band score

To get a high score in IELTS, you need to thoroughly prepare yourself and need to follow these steps:

• Master yourself with the fundamentals of grammar.
• Practice different parts of speech.
• Learn a minimum of 5 new words each day and understand their meaning and usage.
• Improve your reading skills by reading study guides, newspapers, and books out loud.
• Enhance your writing skills by writing essays, short reviews of books, entertainment, etc.
• Improve your listening skills by listening to English podcasts, movies, and watching educational programs.
• If you come across a word or phrase that you don't understand, make it a habit to look it up.
• Attempt as many mock tests as possible.

Click to know more >>> A Guide to the IELTS Exam: What is IELTS and how to prepare for it?           
 

Conclusion

The above-discussed information covers everything about the different band scores in IELTS. Therefore, aspiring candidates must closely review the evaluation standards and band descriptors to set their objectives and strive for the highest possible IELTS band score.

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