Quick Summary
- The IELTS is an English proficiency test for studying, working, or immigrating to English-speaking countries, assessing listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
- Scores range from 0 to 9, and the test can be taken either on paper or on a computer, with scores averaged across all sections.
- A high IELTS score is crucial for international university admissions and enhances global career opportunities.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION:
If you’re planning to study in an English-speaking country, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognized English language proficiency test that you need to take. Administered by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge English Assessment, the IELTS is crucial for those who wish to pursue higher education, find work abroad, or immigrate to English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and Canada.
To ensure you understand your language proficiency and track your improvement, it’s essential to calculate IELTS band score accurately.
Types of IELTS Exams to Calculate IELTS Band Score
The IELTS exam assesses four essential communication skills: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The first three tests are conducted on the same day, while the speaking test requires a separate booking. It’s crucial to understand these exam components to calculate IELTS band score effectively.
1. Paper-based exam
This exam is suitable for those who choose a physical test centre as their exam location. If you opt for the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training, you can take the paper-based exam at a centre convenient for you. The Reading, Writing, and Listening sections are conducted on the same day, with a different examiner assigned for the Speaking test. It’s important to learn how to calculate IELTS band score in the Speaking test for your benefit.
2. Computer-based exam
For the computer-based exam, you can take the same skill tests either from home or at a test centre. If you choose the IELTS Academic exam, you have the option to take the test online from home or any location with a stable internet connection. However, for the IELTS General Training, you can either take the tests in a paper-based or computer-based format. In both cases, you can use the IELTS band score calculator to understand your progress in English language proficiency.
Assessment Criteria and Test Format
During the IELTS exam, your responses are evaluated based on several criteria:
- Task response and task achievement
- Fluency and cohesion
- Lexical resource capability
- Grammatical grasp and accuracy
The Listening and Speaking sections each have 40 questions, with each question carrying one mark. The Writing test consists of two sections, while the Speaking test has three sections. Marks are awarded based on the aforementioned criteria. To calculate IELTS band score, it’s recommended to use a reliable and authentic system.
Test Format Overview
1. Reading Skill
In this 60-minute test, you will answer 40 questions that assess your reading ability. The questions cover the main ideas, gist, details, and skimming. You need to understand and identify the writer’s opinions, purpose, and attitude.
2. Listening Skill
The Listening test lasts for 30 minutes and involves listening to audio recordings of four different native English speakers. You are required to write down answers to questions based on the conversations. To excel in this section, you must understand the questions, main ideas, information, and different utterances.
3. Writing Test
The Writing test comprises two tasks that you need to complete within 60 minutes. The topics for these tasks are based on the modules you have chosen.
4. Speaking Test
The Speaking test differs from the other three tests. It is conducted by an expert examiner at a designated center on a separate day. The test consists of three parts and lasts for 11 to 14 minutes. In the first part, you introduce yourself and answer questions. The entire session is recorded. In the second part, you speak on a given topic for 1 to 2 minutes. The last part involves a discussion with the assessor.
Note that for the IELTS General Training, you need to take the General Reading and Writing tests separately, while the other sections remain the same for both exam types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Pay careful attention while filling out the application form for the IELTS test.
Understanding of How to Calculate IELTS Band Score
To better comprehend your English proficiency, you can refer to the overall band score chart
| Band | Level | Remark |
| 9 | Expert | The candidate has an excellent grasp of the English language in terms of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. |
| 8 | Very good | The candidate has good command over the language with minimum inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. |
| 7 | Good | The candidate possesses good operational command over the language but with minute inaccuracy and misunderstanding. |
| 6 | Competent | The test taker has a fair command of the language but a significant lack of proficiency in different areas. |
| 5 | Modest | The person has only achieved a basic understanding of the English language. |
| 4 | Limited | The person has achieved a basic understanding of the English language only. |
| 3 | Severely limited | The candidate can only communicate in familiar situations with many breakdowns. |
| 2 | Intermittent | The candidate finds it difficult to speak or write in English. |
| 1 | Non-user | The person has no experience in using the language except on a few occasions. |
| 0 | Didn’t attempt the test | The candidate didn’t attempt any questions in the exam. |
IELTS test format and marking criteria:
| Test Section | Duration | Details | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 minutes | – 4 sections with 40 questions – Conversations, monologues, etc. | – Each question is worth 1 mark – Band score (0-9) based on correct answers |
| Reading | 60 minutes | – 3 sections with 40 questions – Academic or General Training | – Each question is worth 1 mark – Band score (0-9) based on correct answers |
| Writing | 60 minutes | – 2 tasks – Task 1 (150 words): Describe data/graph – Task 2 (250 words): Essay | – Task 1: 33% – Task 2: 67% – Marked on task achievement, coherence, vocabulary, grammar (band 0-9) |
| Speaking | 11-14 minutes | – Face-to-face interview – 3 parts: Introduction, task card, discussion | – Marked on fluency, coherence, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation (band 0-9) |
Total Band Score Calculation:
- The overall Band Score is the average of all four sections’ band scores (rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole band).
Calculate IELTS Band Score Using Chegg’s Calculator
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Band Score | – Ranges from 0 to 9 – Calculated based on the average score of all skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Computer-Delivered Tests | – Scores are equally weighted to avoid confusion |
| Rounding of Band Score | – The average band score is rounded up to the nearest half or full band, whichever is closest |
| IELTS Score Calculator | – A reliable tool such as Chegg’s IELTS Score Calculator can be used to calculate band scores accurately |
| Listening Score (General & Academic) | – The conversion of the Listening score to the band is the same for both IELTS General Training and Academic IELTS – Example: A score of 30 in Listening equals a band score of 7 for both IELTS GT and Academic IELTS |
| Writing Section | – Task 2 carries twice the weightage of Task 1 in the Writing section |
| Usage of Calculator | – You can use the Chegg IELTS score calculator to effectively calculate band scores, especially for the Writing section |
Conclusion: The Significance of IELTS and What Lies Ahead
Conclusion: The Significance of IELTS and What Lies Ahead
The IELTS is essential for studying, living, or working abroad. Knowing how to calculate IELTS band score can significantly enhance your chances of securing admission to top foreign institutions or settling in an English-speaking country. Even non-native speakers can aim for a band score of 9 with dedicated practice and an IELTS band score calculator. Achieving a strong IELTS score, which is widely accepted in countries like Australia, the UK, the USA, and Canada, can also open doors for career opportunities in your home country, as many institutions actively seek IELTS-qualified candidates for various positions.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )
How do I calculate my IELTS score?
You can use an IELTS overall band score calculator to calculate your score. Each skill test (Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening) is scored on a scale of 0 to 9. The average of these scores gives you your overall band score. As mentioned on the IELTS website, overall test results are based on the nearest 0.5 scores.
How do I convert my IELTS score into a band?
All four modules of the IELTS exam are equally weighted. The IELTS scoring system calculates an average score of the four modules (Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening) to determine your overall band score. This score is sometimes rounded up or down to the nearest half or whole band score as necessary.
What does a score of 25 out of 40 mean in IELTS listening?
If you score 25 out of 40 on the Listening test, your score corresponds to a band score of 6. The IELTS Listening test does not have negative markings. The test consists of 40 questions based on audio recordings from four native speakers, and you have 30 minutes to answer them all.
How do I calculate an IELTS score of 7?
A band score of 7 can correspond to different correct answers in Academic IELTS and IELTS General Training. In the Academic test, achieving 30 correct answers would result in a Band 7. In the General Training test, you can obtain Band 7 by answering 34 questions correctly.
What is the highest band in IELTS?
It marks an individual’s language skills along a six-mark scale ranging from A1 (beginners) to C2 (advanced). The highest CEFR level in IELTS would be band 9. You can map your students’ IELTS scores against this framework to help them gauge their language ability.
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