IELTS Results & Scores: Everything You Need to Know About IELTS Results & Band Score

A good IELTS score indicates your excellence in English language. Fortunately, you can self-prepare for the IELTS test and achieve effective results. In addition to that, understanding the IELTS scores help you aim for a better target score.

The IELTS test examines you in four sections namely, Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. By scoring well in each of these sections, you will prove to be a linguistically strong candidate to study abroad.  

Since we are discussing the IELTS scores, you could be wondering about the IELTS evaluation process. So, let’s begin our discussion with who evaluates your IELTS paper?

Professionals usually from the teaching background are trained and certified by IELTS to evaluate papers. Honing their expertise in their field, they are required to present detailed feedback on your performances. This ensures that the evaluator has precisely marked you.

NOTE: Your IELTS scorecard is called the Test Report Form or the IELTS TRF.

Let us now make an attempt to understand the IELTS scoring system in all its essence -

IELTS Band Score: How are you scored for the IELTS test?

Calculating IELTS Score:

Each of the IELTS sections i.e., IELTS Listening, IELTS Reading, IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking are scored individually. And then, the average score of the four of them are calculated and rounded off as the total band score.  

Listening + Reading Writing Speaking {average} = 1-9 band score

IELTS Section Scoring: How is the IELTS Academic Band score calculated?

As it is clear from the visual above that the IELTS Academic exam has four sections:

1. Listening

2. Reading

3. Writing

4. Speaking

Let us understand the scoring pattern for IELTS section wise -

1. IELTS Listening Band score

 You are expected to answer 40 questions of IELTS Listening. Each question carries a mark.

• The total score is then converted to a 1-9 band score.

• Scores are marked in half and whole bands.

Here is a table that shows the IELTS Listening Raw Score Vs the Listening band score:

IELTS Listening Raw Score (Academic)	IELTS Band Score
35	8
30	7
23	6
16	5

2. IELTS Reading Band score

Similar to the IELTS Listening section, you have 40 questions in the IELTS reading section. Your raw scores out of 40 are converted to a band score.

• IELTS Reading is scored on a 1-9 band score.

Here’s a table that shows the IELTS Reading Raw Score Vs the Reading band score:

IELTS Reading Raw Score (Academic)	IELTS Reading Band Score
35	8
30	7
23	6
15	5

3. IELTS Writing Band Score

You have two tasks in your IELTS Writing test. IELTS expert evaluators present a detailed feedback of your task responses on the basis of:

• Coherence and Cohesion

• Lexical Resource

• Grammatical Range

• Accuracy

Along with the detailed feedback, a score on a 1-9 score band is awarded. Scores for the IELTS Writing section are marked in whole and half bands.

4. IELTS Speaking Band Score

In the speaking section of IELTS, you’re marked on your English fluency, coherence, lexical resources, grammatical range, accuracy and pronunciation.

• Your IELTS interviewer scores you on a 1-9 band score.

The IELTS Academic score is the average of the four IELTS sections together giving you the overall band score.

Receiving your total IELTS score, gives you a value on the scorescale. But, do you understand what it means? How can you define your IELTS score? Well, let’s discuss that -

What does your IELTS Score mean?

Your IELTS band score value has been accurately defined by IELTS experts. To understand this further, have a look at this tabulation -

Band Score	Skill Level	What your score means
9	Expert	The test taker has a fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.
8	Very good user	The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well.
7	Good user	The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex language well and understand detailed reasoning.
6	Competent user	The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
5	Modest user	The test taker has partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic communication in their own field.
4	Limited user	The test taker's basic competence is limited to familiar situations. They frequently show problems in understanding and expression. They are not able to use complex language.
3	Extremely limited user	The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are frequent breakdowns in communication.
2	Intermittent user	The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
1	Non-user	The test taker has no ability to use the language except a few isolated words.
0	Did not attempt the test	The test taker did not answer the questions.

The IELTS scores have limited validity and you must stay aware of the legit time period -

What is the Duration of the IELTS Score Validity?

Your IELTS Score is valid for 2 years.

Test-takers can send in their IELTS scores to as many universities as they wish for 2 years after their test. However, after 2 years, your IELTS exam results lose their validity.

How to Send IELTS Scores to Universities?

In case, you wish to send your scores to more than five universities, request for additional score cards. You will be charged Rs 250 extra per university.

SUGGESTED: Access the list of most sought after Universities in the US

As a study abroad aspirant, keeping all your options open helps you choose the best country for you. Therefore, be familiar with the accepted country wise scores -

What are Accepted IELTS scores Country wise?

Therefore, we are listing out the accepted IELTS scores for some of the countries abroad -

Country	IELTS Accepted Scores
Canada	6
USA	6-7
New Zealand	6.5
UK	5.5
Ireland	6.5
Australia	5.5

 

NOTE: These values may vary based on your visa and university requirement.

Now that you are made aware of the scoring pattern, let’s learn about viewing and receiving your IELTS result-

How and Where to Check IELTS Result & Scores?

Receiving your IELTS result varies based on the type of test you’ve taken. Refer to the table below to check the tentative availability of your TRF:

IELTS Test Type	Results Available | TRF
Paper delivered IELTS	TRF is available 13 days after your test
Computer-delivered IELTS	TRF is available 3-5 days after the test

Viewing your IELTS Result Online

Test-takers can view their IELTS score and hence results online through the official website. All you need to do is fill in the details and click on ‘get results.’

The average IELTS result time is 3-5 days i.e., your result will be displayed within this time frame after the exam. However, your IELTS results are visible online only for 28 days after your tests. 

NOTE: Screenshots or printouts of your IELTS results aren’t accepted as the official scorecards. You can view your scores online. However, only the hard copy of the IELTS TRF is accepted as the official document.

How do you receive your IELTS TRF?

Each test-taker receives ONE Test Report Form. The TRF is mailed to your registered address or can be collected from your IELTS test center. You’re recommended to keep the  TRFs safely as duplicates of your scorecards aren’t issued.

IELTS Re-evaluation: What happens when you put your IELTS scores for re-evaluation?

If you’re not satisfied with your IELTS Scores, you can raise a request to review your IELTS scores by issuing an Enquiry Of Results request (EOR) and paying an enquiry fee. However, you can raise this request within 6 weeks of receiving your TRF.

• As your request is accepted, the papers are re-evaluated by senior evaluators.

• Your IELTS test center is notified in case there is a revision in the IELTS score.

• In case of a revision, your IELTS center provides you with an updated TRF and your enquiry fee is refunded.

NOTE: The whole process might take up to 6-8 weeks.

Your IELTS exam results play a crucial role in your study abroad journey. This is why you must prepare for the IELTS test well in advance. Concentrate on learning about each section and glide through the test with ease.

All the best!