IELTS Band Score and Marking Criteria

IELTS stands for International English Language Test System. It is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers who are willing to immigrate to other countries for education and employment purpose. This test is conducted by British Council and IDP which have set standard marking and scoring criteria mentioned in the following tables.

IELTS Bands

IELTS bands range between 0-9 based on the candidate's ability to use and understand the English language. 

Band Score	Skill Level	Description
Band 9	Expert user	Fully operational command of the language Appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding
Band 8	Very good user	Fully operational command of the language Occasional unsystematic inaccuracies Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7	Good user	Operational command of the language,  Occasional inaccuracies, Misunderstandings in some situations. Handles complex language well
Band 6	Competent user	Effective command of the language Use and understand fairly complex language
Band 5	Modest user	Partial command of the language Coping with overall meaning Able to handle basic communication
Band 4	Limited user	Limited competence Frequent problems in understanding  Inability to use complex language.
Band 3	Extremely limited user	Conveys and understands only general meaning
Band 2	Intermittent user	no real communication is possible
Band 1	Non-user	No ability to use the language
Band 0	Did not attempt the test	No assessable information provided.

IELTS Listening: Band Score Description

IELTS Listening Test consists of 40 questions into four sections. It is same for Academic and General training and the band scores for both are the same. 

For Academic and General Training

Correct Answers	Band Score
39-40	9
37-38	8.5
35-36	8
32-34	7.5
30-31	7
26-29	6.5
23-25	6
18-22	5.5
16-17	5
13-15	4.5
11-12	4

IELTS Reading: Band Score Description

The Reading Module of General Training has 40 questions allocated into four sections. One mark is assigned for each correct answers. The candidates of General Training Exam have to attempt more correct answers in order to obtain 8 or 9 bands.

For General Training

Correct Answers	Band Score
40	9
39	8.5
37-38	8
36	7.5
34-35	7
32-33	6.5
30-31	6
27-29	5.5
23-26	5
19-22	4.5
15-18	4

For Academic Training

The Academic Training Module also has 40 questions in 4 sections. This is relatively difficult as compared to the General Training Exam and therefore, there is a difference in band score allocation.

Correct Answers	Band Score
39- 40	9
37-38	8.5
35-36	8
33-34	7.5
30-32	7
27-29	6.5
23-26	6
19-22	5.5
15-18	5
13-14	4.5
10-12	4

IELTS Writing Assessment

The General Training Module has 1. Letter Writing and 2. Essay Writing whereas the Academic Module has 1. Report on Bar Graph, Pie Chart, Line Graph, Map or Process 2. Essay Writing. 

The marking criteria for both is as follows:

Band 9
Task achievement	Fully satisfies all requirements of the task Clearly presentation of a response
Coherence and cohesion	Use of cohesion Skillful paraphrasing
Lexical resource	Wide range of vocabulary Natural and sophisticated control of lexical features rare minor errors
Grammatical range and accuracy	Wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy Rare minor errors
Band 8
Task achievement	Covers all requirements of the task Presents, highlights and illustrates key features points clearly and appropriately
Coherence and cohesion	Sequences information and ideas logically Manages all aspects of cohesion well Sufficient use of paragraphing
Lexical resource	Wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexible to convey precise meanings Use of uncommon lexical items Occasional inaccuracies Rare errors in spelling and/or word formation
Grammatical range and accuracy	Wide range of structures Error-free sentences Occasional errors or inappropriate
Band 7
Task achievement	Covers the requirements of the task Clear overview of main trend Clearly presentation and highlights key features points
Coherence and cohesion	Logically organisation of information Clear progression Range of cohesive devices Some under-/over-use of cohesive devices
Lexical resource	Sufficient range of vocabulary Less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation Occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation
Grammatical range and accuracy	uses a variety of complex structures Frequent error-free sentences Good control of grammar and punctuation Few errors
Band 6
Task achievement	Addresses the requirements of the task Presents a clear purpose Inconsistencies in tone Irrelevant, inappropriate or inaccurate points
Coherence and cohesion	Coherent information and ideas Clear overall progression Effective use of cohesive devices Sentences may be faulty
Lexical resource	Adequate range of vocabulary for the task Attempts to use less common vocabulary with inaccuracy Errors in spelling and/or word formation
Grammatical range and accuracy	Mix of simple and complex sentence forms Some errors in grammar and punctuation
Band 5
Task achievement	Generally addresses the task with inappropriate the format iin places Tone may be variable and sometimes inappropriate Inadequately covers, key features/ bullet points
Coherence and cohesion	Presents information with some organisation Lack of overall progression Inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices Repetitive because of lack of referencing and substitution
Lexical resource	Limited range of vocabulary Noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation
Grammatical range and accuracy	Limited range of structures Less accurate complex sentences Frequent grammatical errors Errors can cause some difficulty for the reader
Band 4
Task achievement	Attempts to address the task Features/bullet points not covered t Fails to clearly explain the purpose Inappropriate tone Unclear, irrelevant, repetitive or inaccurate
Coherence and cohesion	Information and ideas not coherently arranged No clear progression in the response Inaccurate use of some basic cohesive devices
Lexical resource	Uses only basic vocabulary Limited control of word formation Errors may cause strain for the reader
Grammatical range and accuracy	Very limited range of structures with only rare use of subordinate clauses Errors predominate Punctuation is often faulty

IELTS Speaking: Band Score Description

IELTS Speaking is same for all the candidates. There are three sections in speaking test.

1. Introduction: Here the examiner asks questions about general things about your work, education, interests and other common topics.

2. Cue Card: A topic is assigned to the candidate on which he/she is supposed to speak for one or two minutes.

3. Follow-ups: This section has some related questions to section 2.

Band 9
Fluency and Coherence	Fluent speaking with rare repetition Coherent speech with fully cohesive features Ability to develop topics appropriately
Lexical Resource	Flexible use of vocabulary with precision Natural use of idiomatic language
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Natural use of the full range of structures Appropriate production of consistently accurate structures
Pronunciation	Full range of pronunciation used with precision Subtle and flexible use of features
Band 8
Fluency and Coherence	Fluent speaking with occasional repetition and self-correction. Content related hesitation Rare hesitation to search for language Coherent and appropriate topic development
Lexical Resource	Flexible use of wide vocabulary to convey meaning Less use of common idiomatic vocabulary Effective use of paraphrase Occasional inaccuracy
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Flexible use of structures Majority of error-free sentences Less inappropriate or basic/non-systematic errors
Pronunciation	Use of wide range of pronunciation Sustains flexible use of features accent has minimal effect on intelligibility
Band 7
Fluency and Coherence	Speaking without noticeable efforts. Hesitation to demonstrate language some repetition and/or self- correction Flexible use of connectors
Lexical Resource	Flexible use of vocabulary resources Use of less common and idiomatic vocabulary Awareness of style and collocation Effective use of paraphrase
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Flexible use of range of complex structures Frequent error-free sentences Some grammatical mistakes persist
Pronunciation	All positive features of Band 6 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 8
Band 6
Fluency and Coherence	Willingness to speak at length Lack of Coherence Occasional repetition, self-correction or hesitation
Lexical Resource	Wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics Successful paraphrasing
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Flexible but limited use of simple and complex structures Frequent mistakes with complex structures Rare comprehension problem
Pronunciation	Range of pronunciation features with mixed control Unsustainable use of effective features Mispronunciation of individual words or sounds reduces clarity at times
Band 5
Fluency and Coherence	Repetition, self-correction and/or slow speech over-use certain connectives Production of simple speech fluently Complex communication causes fluency problems
Lexical Resource	Usage of vocabulary wit with limited flexibility Usage of paraphrase but with mixed success
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Reasonable accuracy of basic sentence forms Limited range of more complex structures Errors and comprehension problems
Pronunciation	All the positive features of Band 4 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 6
Band 4
Fluency and Coherence	Noticeable pauses and slow speech Frequent repetition and self-correction Use of simple connectives
Lexical Resource	Only convey basic meaning on unfamiliar topics Frequent errors in word choice Rare attempts of paraphrase
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Production of basic sentence forms and some correct simple sentences Frequent errors lead to misunderstanding
Pronunciation	Limited range of pronunciation features Lapses are frequent Mispronunciations are frequent