IELTS Test Preparation

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the most widely recognized and accepted English proficiency tests for non-native English speakers. It is designed to evaluate an individual’s ability to use English in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, and is accepted by over 11,000 institutions across more than 140 countries, including universities, immigration authorities, and employers.

Components of IELTS

IELTS assesses four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The test is available up to four times a month, and it is recognized by governments, universities, and employers globally. It is known for being a fair and consistent measure of English language ability, offering objective, reliable, and accurate results. IELTS is designed to reflect real-life language skills used in both academic and social settings.

Listening

Evaluates listening ability through summarizing spoken text, filling in blanks, multiple-choice questions, and highlighting incorrect words.

Speaking

Assesses oral fluency and pronunciation through tasks like read aloud, repeat sentence, describe image, and retell lecture.

Reading

Tests comprehension using multiple-choice questions, reorder paragraphs, and fill in the blanks

Writing

Evaluates grammar and coherence with summarize written text and essay writing.

The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Listening section. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.

Marks out of 40

  • Band Score 5: Listening 16
  • Band Score 6: Listening 23
  • Band Score 7: Listening 30
  • Band Score 8: Listening 35

The IELTS Reading test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

The IELTS Academic and General Training Reading tests are graded on the same scale. The Academic Reading test may contain texts which feature more difficult vocabulary or greater complexity of style. It is usual that a greater number of questions must be answered correctly on a General Training Reading test to secure a given band score.

Here are the average number of marks scored at different levels of the IELTS scale in Academic Reading, and General Training Reading sections. The precise number of marks needed to achieve these band scores will vary slightly from test version to test version.

Marks out of 40

Academic
  • Band Score 5: Reading 15
  • Band Score 6: Reading 23
  • Band Score 7: Reading 30
  • Band Score 8: Reading 35
General Training
  • Band Score 4: Reading 15
  • Band Score 5: Reading 23
  • Band Score 6: Reading 30
  • Band Score 7: Reading 35

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four criteria:

  • Task achievement (for task 1) and task response (for task 2)
  • Coherence and cohesion
  • Lexical resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy.

Each task is assessed independently. The criteria are weighted equally and the score on the task is the average. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.

Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four areas:

  • Fluency and coherence
  • Lexical resource
  • Grammatical range and accuracy
  • Pronunciation

Each of the criteria carry equal weighting and the overall average gives the IELTS score for Speaking.

Understanding and explaining IELTS band scores

When you get your IELTS test results, you will be given an overall test score between 0 and 9 on the IELTS band scale. You will also receive individual scores for each of the four sections of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS band scale helps organisations understand your level of English proficiency, with each band representing a specific level of competence in the language.

How the IELTS band scores are calculated?

IELTS exam band scores range from 0 to 9. Each section is scored individually, and these scores are then averaged to take out your overall band score.

Calculating section scores:

  • Listening and Reading: Each correct answer earns one point, and the total number of points is converted into a band score using a standardised conversion table

  • Writing and Speaking: Examiners assess performance based on specific criteria, including task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy for Writing; and fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation for Speaking

Overall IELTS band scores calculation

The overall band score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band.

Half-band score calculation:

    • If the average of the four section scores ends in .25, the overall band score is rounded up to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 becomes 6.5)

    • If the average ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 becomes 7.0)

IELTS band score descriptions for Academic and General Training

Both Academic and General Training tests have the same band score chart.

9 skill level: 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 skill level: Very good

  • The test taker has a 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 skill level: Good

  • 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 skill level: Competent

  • The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings

  • They can use and understand reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations

5 skill level: Modest

  • 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 field

4 skill level: Limited

  • The test taker’s basic competence is limited to familiar situations

  • They frequently show problems in understanding and expression

3 skill level: Extremely limited

  • The test taker conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations

  • There are frequent breakdowns in communication

2 skill level: Intermittent

  • The test taker has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English

1 skill level: Non-user

  • The test taker cannot use the language except a few isolated words

0 skill level: Did not attempt the test

  • The test taker did not answer the questions

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