IELTS Scoring Structure: Marks Allocation for Each Task in All Sections

IELTS Scoring Structure

IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System. It’s an English proficiency test created and operated by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English.

The provided IELTS band score tables clarify the scoring process, aiding you in calculating and comprehending your score. It is crucial to grasp the criteria for your desired score to succeed in the IELTS examination.

Calculating the IELTS Band Scores

IELTS scores range from 0 to 9, including half scores (e.g., 6.5 or 7.5). A separate band score is assigned for each skill (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), and an overall band score is calculated as the average of these skills. Refer to the table below for illustration.

Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall
8	7.5	7	7.5	7.5

As outlined on the IELTS website, overall test results are rounded to the nearest 0.5 or the nearest whole band score. If the final score is not an exact 7.5 (as depicted in the table above), it is rounded to the nearest whole score or half score, whichever is closer. The following examples illustrate how this rounding process works in accordance with IELTS:

• If your overall score is 6.1, it will be rounded down to 6, as this is the nearest whole band score. In simpler terms, 6.1 is closer to band 6 than to 6.5.
• If your overall score is computed as 6.85, your final result will be rounded up to band 7. This adjustment is made because 6.85 is closer to band 7 than to band 6.5.
• If your overall score is an average of 6.25, it will be raised to 6.5. The reason is that 6.25 falls exactly between band 6 and 6.5, so IELTS will round it up to the nearest score, which is 6.5 in this case.
• If your overall score is an average of 6.75, it will be increased to 7. This is because 6.75 is exactly between band 6.5 and 7, prompting IELTS to round it up to the nearest whole band score, which is 7 in this instance.
• Your score is rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole number, as explained earlier.

Band Score Explanations

The table provides descriptions for each band score, offering details about the level of English proficiency needed for scores ranging from 5 to 9.

Band Score	English Level	Key Points
9	Expert User	– Accurate – Full Understanding
8	Very Good User	– Rare Errors – Uses Complex Language Well
7	Good User	– Only Occasional Errors – Uses Complex Language Quite Well in Most Situations
6	Competent User	– Some Errors – Use Complex Language which is best in Familiar Situations
5	Modest User	– Frequent Errors – Has Difficulties in Complex Language

Band Scores for Listening and Reading

Your listening and reading scores are determined based on the number of correct answers you achieve out of the 40 questions in the test. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, meaning you do not lose points for them.

Note: There is a single listening test for both General Training (GT) and Academic candidates. This implies that all candidates undergo the same test with identical marking criteria.

IELTS Listening Scores

Correct Answers	Band Scores
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 Scores (AC)

Correct Answers	Band Scores
40-39	9
38-37	8.5
36-35	8
34-33	7.5
32-30	7
29-27	6.5
26-23	6
22-19	5.5
18-15	5
14-13	4.5
12-10	4
9-8	3.5
7-6	3
5-4	2.5

IELTS Reading Scores (GT)

Correct Answers	Band Scores
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
12-14	3.5
9-11	3
6-8	2.5

IELTS Writing Assessment Criteria

Both Writing Task 1 and Task 2 are evaluated based on four criteria. Refer to the table below for specific details on each marking criterion.

Note: Task 2 is marked the same way for both GT and Academic candidates, despite GT essay questions being somewhat easier. However, in Task 1, GT candidates write a letter, while Academic candidates write a report, resulting in a slight difference in Task Achievement marking. The other three criteria remain the same.

Task Achievement (Task 1)	– Presenting Accurate Information – Providing an Overview – Highlighting Key Features / Stages – Supporting Details with Data
Task Response ( Task 2)	– Addressing the Task ( Answering the Questions ) – Giving relevant Main Points which are Supported and Developed – Giving an Clear Position ( Stating an Opinion when Asked) – Providing Conclusion
Coherence and Cohesion	– Organizing Information / Ideas into Paragraphs – Having One Central Idea in each paragraph ( T2 ) – Using a Range of Linking Devices
Lexical Resource	– Using a Range of Words and Paragraphing – Using Collocations – Spelling – Avoid Errors
Grammar Range and Accuracy	– Using a Range of Sentence Structures – Using a Range of Grammar Tenses – Punctuations – Avoid Errors

IELTS Speaking Assessment Criteria

Here are the marking criteria for IELTS Speaking:

Note: The speaking test is uniform for both General Training (GT) and Academic candidates. Regardless of your category, you will undergo the same test with identical marking criteria.

Fluency	– Talking at Length – Talking without Pauses or Hesitations – Talking without Self-correction – Able to be Understood – Using Linking Devices
Lexical Resource	– Using a Range of Words and Paragraphing – Using Collocations – Using Less Common Vocabulary – Avoiding Errors
Grammar Range and Accuracy	– Using a Range of Sentence Structures – Using a Range of Grammar Tenses – Avoiding Errors
Pronunciation	– Able to be Understand throughout the Test – Able to Use Intonation – Accent does not affect Understanding – Accurate Word and Sound Pronunciation

You should also spend time studying the band scores for each criteria in the speaking descriptors published by IELTS.

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