Accomplishing an excellent International English Language Testing System score is an important milestone for individuals aspiring to study, work, or immigrate to an English-speaking country. This exam result is a vital indicator of an individual’s proficiency in English across four essential skills – Listening, Writing, Reading, and Speaking. However, defining what comprises a ‘good’ IELTS result can hugely vary based on the goals and requirements of an individual.
According to the best minds of a reputed IELTS coaching online centre, usually a good exam result meets or exceeds the minimum requirements set by academic institutions, employers, or immigration authorities. It reflects a high level of language competence and increasing opportunities for success in various endeavours.
Now, you must be wondering, “What exactly is a good IELTS score?” We have got you covered. In today’s comprehensive post, we will cover everything you need to know about what is exactly a good score of the exam and focus on each section to help you understand how your exam points are evaluated.
Let’s get started!
Good IELTS Score: A Quick Overview
Do you know IELTS is perhaps the world’s most famous English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration, with 3.5 million tests taken last year? Again, the worldwide average result of IELTS is 6.3. Among all countries, Spain achieved the highest IELTS result last year, with an average score of 7.1.
If the words of a top study abroad consultant of AbroAdvice.com are anything to go by, then a good test result varies hugely based on where you desire to study or work. This test uses a scale from 1 to 9 to rate English skills. To exhibit a strong command of English, generally, a point of 7 or higher is deemed good. However, verifying the prerequisites of the institution you’re keen on applying to is significant as they may have criteria for determining what point is good.
How are Band Scores Calculated?
In the exam, you’ll receive a band score from 1 to 9 for every section – Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. Your overall IELTS band point is estimated by averaging all these results. In each test segment, you can secure whole bands (like 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half bands (like 5.5, 6.5,7.5).
Let’s look at this example –
Listening | 7 |
Reading | 6 |
Speaking | 6.5 |
Writing | 6 |
Band Score | 6.5 |
Here is the band scores chart you need to look at to comprehend the descriptor for every band point (0-9) –
IELTS BAND POINT | SKILL LEVEL | WHAT IT DEMONSTRATES |
9 | Expert User | Possess a complete understanding of English. |
8 | Very good user | Has a good hold on English; possibilities or minimal errors |
7 | Good User | Can communicate effortlessly; can experience certain misunderstandings. |
6 | Competent User | Can communicate with a little effort, especially in familiar situations |
5 | Modest User | Inability to use complex forms of English. Experiences issues in expressing. |
4 | Limited User | Experiences issues in expressing themselves in writing or speaking. |
3 | Excessively Limited User | Experiences frequent interruptions while speaking and comprehending English |
2 | Intermittent User | Experiences extreme difficulty in speaking and writing English |
1 | Non-User | No knowledge of the language except for a couple of commonly used words |
0 | Test not attempted | The test taker has not offered any information for the assessment. |
Scoring for Various Sections: Listening. Reading, Speaking, and Writing
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Listening Test Scoring System
The listening segment comprises four sections, each containing 10 questions, resulting in 40. Every question carries a value of 1 point, making the maximum possible points 40. After completing the test, the raw result (and the total points acquired) is converted to the band point using an official conversion table provided by the IELTS. The band points range from 1-9, with increments of 0.5.
The listening scoring system is similar for both Academic and General Training IELTS.
Band Score | Raw Score out of 40 |
5 | 16 |
6 | 23 |
7 | 30 |
8 | 35 |
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Reading Test Scoring System
The Reading Test comprises 40 questions, where every correct answer is awarded one mark. These points are subsequently converted to the nine-band scale used in the exam. The academic and general training reading tests follow the same grading scale, differing only in aspects of the genre or type of texts presented.
BAND SCORE | RAW RESULT Out of 40 |
9 | 39-40 |
8.5 | 37-38 |
8 | 35-36 |
7.5 | 33-34 |
7 | 30-32 |
6 | 23-26 |
5.5 | 19-22 |
5 | 15-18 |
4.5 | 13-14 |
4 | 10-12 |
3.5 | 8-9 |
3 | 6-7 |
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Speaking Test Scoring System
The band results for speaking estimate the mean of all four criteria (like 6+7_6+8/4= 7). The decimal portion is more than 0.25 and is rounded off to the upper value and midpoints to the lower value. Let’s look at an band score speaking chart to offer a clear idea –
Fluency and Coherence | 7 |
Pronunciation | 6 |
Lexical Resource | 8 |
Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8 |
Total | 7 |
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Writing Scoring System
The writing test of the exam comprises two tasks. These tasks are assessed using – Task achievement, cohesion and coherence, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. The mean of four evaluation criteria calculates the writing point.
Look at this IELTS writing band point chart to get a comprehensive idea –
Task Accomplishment | 8 |
Lexical Resource | 7 |
Coherence & Cohesion | 8 |
Grammatical range and accuracy | 8 |
Total Score | 8 |
Wrapping Up,
So, now that you are well-versed with what a good IELTS result is, it’s time to start prepping for it. Scoring a 6+ point is not as easy as it sounds, but you can master certain strategies to accomplish the coveted 8 bands. An 8 band implies your dreams of going abroad are assured.
So, prepare well for the examination and bag the best band today.