Explore Courses

IELTS Band Descriptors: Calculate IELTS Band Scores

Updated on 09 April, 2024

Mrinal Mandal

Mrinal Mandal

Study Abroad Expert

ielts band descriptors

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language proficiency test for non-native speakers who want to pursue higher education or migrate to a country where English is mostly spoken. The IELTS test is divided into four parts - Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Understanding the IELTS band descriptors is vital. All marking takes place at official IELTS testing centers, courtesy of examiners and trained markers. They possess a complete understanding of the marking policy and have to adhere to certain standards before being allowed to mark the Reading and Listening papers. Markers undergo retesting every couple of years to make sure that marking adheres to standards.

Systematic double marking and monitoring of a chunk of answer sheets are done at every administrative center. Examiners for the Spelling and Writing sub-tests are trained and recruited as per standards. Aspirants get a score on a band scale between 1 and 9. Averaging is done for the four individual scores, and this is rounded off to generate the Overall Band Score. The overall scores and scores for every sub-test are then reported in half/whole bands. 

IELTS Band Descriptors- Overall Band Score

Knowing more about the overall band score is very important if you are delving deeper into the IELTS band descriptor. Aspirants get their test report from their overall band scores along with individual sub-test scores in the four key segments, namely Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Each of the scores in the sub-test has equal weightage, while the overall band score is worked out by getting the total of the sub-test scores and calculating the mean of the same. 

Overall band scores are usually reported to the nearest half or whole band. If the average throughout the four segments concludes in .25, then it will be rounded till the next half band, and it is rounded to the whole upcoming band if it ends in .75. Hence, an aspirant getting 6.5 in Listening, 5.0 for Writing, 6.5 for Reading, and 7.0 for Speaking will be getting 6.5 as the Overall Band Score. This is worked out through the following calculation- 25 + 4- 6.25 or Band 6.5. Suppose someone gets 4.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.0 for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, respectively. He/she will get 4.0 as the Overall Band Score (15.5 + 4 = 3.875 or Band Score of 4.0). 

At the same time, someone getting 6.5, 6.5, 5.5, and 6.0 for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking will get the 6.0 band. This is because the calculation will be 24.5 + 4- 6.125 or Band 6 after rounding off.

Recommended Read: IELTS Listening Band Score || IELTS Speaking Band Score

IELTS Band Descriptors- Listening and Reading 

IELTS Listening and Reading papers have 40 items, with every correct answer getting one mark each. The maximum raw score achievable for a candidate on paper is 40 in this scenario. Band scores from 1 to 9 are given to aspirants based on their raw scores. Even though test materials for IELTS are pre-tested and given trials prior to being implemented in actual tests, there are minor differences that exist in difficulty levels spanning various tests. For combining different versions of tests, the boundaries of band scores are fixed so that the results of all aspirants are relational with the same achievement scale. In simpler terms, this means that the boundary for Band 6, for instance, maybe set at varying raw score thresholds throughout several versions. 

The table below will give you an idea of the raw scores obtained by aspirants at several levels throughout the Listening, Academic Reading, and General Training Reading tests in the year 2006. They give you an idea of the marks needed for getting a specific band score in IELTS.

Calculate your IELTS Band Score

Discover your IELTS band score with just a few clicks! Introducing our innovative IELTS Band Calculator, a powerful tool designed to estimate your proficiency level accurately. Simply input your test scores for Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and our intelligent algorithm will calculate your overall band score instantly. Whether you're a student aiming for higher education or a professional seeking immigration opportunities, this tool will provide invaluable insights into your language abilities. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gauge your IELTS performance and take your preparation to the next level. Try our IELTS Band Calculator now and unlock your potential!

Calculate Now

Download E-Books for IELTS Preparation

IELTS IDIOMS GUIDE
ielts sample essays

Listening:

Band Score Threshold Basic Score Out of 40
8 35
7 30
6 23
5 16

 

Academic Reading:

Band Score Threshold Basic Score Out of 40
8 35
7 30
6 23
5 16

 

General Training Reading:

Band Score Threshold Basic Score Out of 40
7 34
6 30
5 23
4 16


The Academic and General Training examination papers have grading on the same scale. The difference between these two modules is basically the type of discourse or genre. Academic papers may have source texts that feature vocabulary or styles which are complex or tougher. A higher number of questions should be correctly answered on the General Training Reading paper for scoring a higher band. 

Recommended Read: IELTS Reading Band Score

Writing & Speaking- IELTS Band Descriptors

While the Speaking and Writing sub-tests are being marked, examiners usually make use of extensive performance-based descriptors. These help in describing spoken and written performances across every one out of the 9 IELTS bands. 

Writing

Examiners give band scores for four areas in the criteria, i.e., Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Task Response, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource. Equal weightage is given to all four aspects. 

Speaking

A band score is given for every area out of these four- Lexical Resource, Fluency and Coherence, Pronunciation and Grammatical Range, and Accuracy. They have equal weightage. 

Band descriptors for the Writing and Speaking versions have been created to help stakeholders understand the performance levels needed for getting a specific band score in every criterion segment. Examiners at IELTS go through intensive face-to-face training along with standardization to make sure that descriptors are applied in a manner that is reliable and valid.

Recommended Reads:

IELTS Essay on Space Exploration IELTS Test Format IELTS General Training Exam
Formal Letter Writing Samples Idioms for IELTS Speaking Grammar for IELTS
IELTS Speaking Exam Problem Solution Essay IELTS MS in Germany Without IELTS
IELTS Semi Formal Letter Sample Tips to Improve Pronunciation IELTS Introduction Sample

 

Download IELTS Preparation Guide For Free

Get to know about the latest updates on the IELTS Exam, Eligibility, Preparation Tips, Test procedure,  Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Registration Process, Important Exam Dates, and much more!! This guide is a one-stop solution for every IELTS Aspirant who aims to crack the exam with an impressive band score.

 

IELTS Band Score Descriptors With Details 

IELTS band score descriptors are used to assess a candidate’s English proficiency. The band score descriptors are different for each section of the IELTS test. 

Writing

IELTS writing band descriptors are Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Task Response, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Lexical Resource. Equal weightage is given to all four aspects. 

The performance descriptors are as follows:

Task Achievement: The candidate must present accurate information while providing an overview and highlighting key features

Task response: Candidates must address the task and give relevant points to support their answers. 

Coherence and Cohesion: Writing organized information and ideas into paragraphs

Lexical resource: There should be a thorough focus on the vocabulary used in the writing section. Candidates should be able to use a wide range of words and paraphrasing, using collocations and spelling, and avoid errors. 

Grammar Range and Accuracy: Avoid grammatical errors and frame correct sentences with the correct use of punctuation.

Speaking

IELTS speaking band descriptors are Lexical Resource, Fluency and Coherence, Pronunciation and Grammatical Range, and Accuracy.

The performance descriptors are following: 

Lexical Resource: Candidates are marked based on the words, collocations, and paraphrasing they do while speaking in the IELTS test. Candidates must try to avoid grammatical errors. 

Fluency and Coherence: Candidates appearing for IELTS are judged on their ability to fluently communicate in English and the ability to sound coherent.

Pronunciation: This descriptor assesses how easily a candidate can be understood while he is speaking. Candidates are assessed on a range of pronunciation features like stress, intonation, and rhythm. 

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: This descriptor focuses on the ability of a test-taker to converse in grammatically correct and simple and complex sentences.

Know More:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic IELTS Last Minute Tips IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS Speaking Test format How IELTS Exam is Conducted Indian Education System Essay
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 IELTS Academic Exam IELTS General Writing Tips Task 2
MBA in Germany Without IELTS How to Improve IELTS Score from 6.5 to 7 IELTS Speaking Tips

 

Study Abroad With upGrad Abroad

To cater to end-to-end requirements of learners planning to pursue higher education abroad, upGrad Abroad has launched a Booster Program. This 12-week-long Booster Program has been designed to support students in preparation for IELTS, Academic Writing, Profile Building, International Faculty Masterclass, and University Application, Education Loan, and Visa Support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the IELTS band descriptors?

IELTS band descriptors are a set of assessment criteria that an examiner uses to assess the English language of IELTS candidates. IELTS speaking band descriptors are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. IELTS writing band descriptors are coherence and cohesion, task response, grammatical range and accuracy, and lexical resource.

How are the IELTS Speaking band descriptors used?

The IELTS speaking band descriptors are used by examiners to assess an IELTS test taker speaking performance. IELTS band descriptions for both IELTS Academic Speaking and IELTS General Training Speaking tests are the same. The assessment criteria are: fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

Is IELTS band 7 good?

Band 7 in IELTS is a good score and can help aspirants secure seats in undergraduate programs abroad and immigrate to countries like the UK, Canada, US, and Australia. Band 7 indicates that the person has operational command of the language.

Is it easy to get 8 band in IELTS?

With proper guidance and practice, it is possible to score band 8 in IELTS. The key to improving the band score is by practicing the test papers. Working on their vocabulary, grammatical errors, and developing the ability to scan the relevant information from the sea of words in a passage is the only way to scoring a high band in IELTS reading.

Recommended Reads:

Why IELTS Exam is Required

Causes and Effects of Obesity IELTS Essay

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tourism IELTS Essay

How to Write Conclusion in Writing Task 2

Is Computer Based IELTS Easier

How to Prepare for Computer Based IELTS

 

How IELTS band is calculated?

Candidates appearing for IELTS exam are graded on a nine-band scale. The overall band score is calculated as the average of the four individual scores in listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and rounded to the nearest whole or half band. Each section of the test will be marked on a band score from one to nine, and the average of this score will form the total IELTS band score. This overall band score might be in whole such as 5 or 6 or end with 0.5 such as 7.5 and 8.5. The overall band score is rounded up to the next half band if the average of the four components ends in .25, whereas if it ends in 0.75, the band score would be rounded up to the next whole band.

Popular Study Abroad Destinations

Study in Canada

Study in Canada

Study in Canada & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

Study in Canada
Study in Australia

Study in Australia

Study in Australia & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

Study in Australia
Study in USA

Study in USA

Study in the USA & Save up to 20 Lakhs with upGrad Abroad

Study in USA

Mrinal Mandal

Study Abroad Expert

Important Exams

IELTS Exam PTE ExamGMAT Exam TOEFL Exam SAT ExamACT ExamGRE Exam Duolingo English Test

Important Resources for IELTS

IELTS Band Score ChartHow to get 8 band in IELTSTypes of IELTS ExamAverage IELTS ScoresIELTS Score for USAIELTS Reading Band ScoreIELTS Bar GraphWriting Task 1 Line GraphCollocation for IELTSIELTS Reading TipsIELTS Speaking TopicsIELTS Writing Task 2Opinion Essay IELTSImportant Vocabulary for IELTSIELTS Band ScoreValidity of IELTS ScoreIELTS Reading SectionIELTS Essay Writing SamplesEssay on Historical PlacesHow to Postpone IELTS ExamIELTS Score for New Zealand PRHow to Make Complex Sentences in IELTSIELTS Test Report formHow Many Times IELTS Exam is Conducted in a YearBenefits of IELTS CoachingAgree or Disagree Essay IELTSHow Much Time is Required to Prepare for IELTSCommon Spelling Mistakes in IELTSHow to Crack IELTS in first AttemptImportant Vocabulary for IELTSHow to Cancel IELTS ExamWhy IELTS Exam is RequiredIELTS Exam DatesIELTS Online CoachingIELTS Full FormMBA in Germany Without IELTSStudy in UK Without IELTSStudy in USA Without IELTSMS in Germany Without IELTSStudy in Europe Without IELTSUniversities in Canada Without IELTSStudy in Singapore Without IELTSStudy in Ireland Without IELTSIELTS Score For UKIELTS Score For USAIELTS For AustraliaIELTS Score for New ZealandUS Universities Accepting Only IELTS Score For MSIELTS Preparation

Free Study Abroad Counselling

Verify Your Number for a Free Session with Experts !

+91

Refer Your Friend & Earn upto ₹40000

Help your friend upgrade to a Global Career and earn rewards together.

TRENDING SEARCHES

IELTS Sample Essay

IELTS Cue Card

IELTS Reading Answer

IELTS Exam

Disclaimer

The above tips are the Author's experiences. upGrad does not guarantee scores or admissions.