How IELTS Speaking Score is Calculated: IELTS Speaking Score

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS speaking test evaluates the ability of applicants to communicate in English. IELTS is very important for students planning to study abroad. The IELTS speaking scores are awarded based on the English speaking skills of a candidate. During the test, a face-to-face formal discussion or interaction is held between the candidate and the IELTS examiner. The speaking band score ranges from zero to nine and a good band score is important to fulfill the eligibility criteria set by organizations, countries, and education institutions. Applicants need to understand the format of the IELTS speaking section and the marking system to perform better. The band score depends on various factors, and to get a good score, it is important to understand them appropriately.

How is the IELTS Speaking Band Score Calculated

The IELTS speaking band score ranges from a scale of zero to nine. Scoring a band 8 means that an aspirant has an excellent command of English. The performance in the speaking section is awarded a score based on four criteria - fluency and coherence, lexical resources, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The speaking band score is awarded based on these four criteria and each of the criteria is weighted equally. 

The attained band score is awarded after considering the performance in all four criteria. If a candidate receives a band score of 6.1, it is rounded off to 6 bands. There is no negative marking for the speaking section of IELTS. The IELTS speaking examiners are trained and certified, so they carefully evaluate the candidates on the four eligibility criteria and award the right band. Listed below are the IELTS speaking scoring criteria on the basis of which aspirants are marked:

Fluency and Coherence (FC)

1. The ability to speak very fluently, without repeating, taking pauses, and having the know-how to self-correct

2. Know the usage of the right words, vocabulary, and grammar

3. Speak coherently with appropriate, strong, cohesive features

4. Have a clear knowledge of the topic that is being asked to speak on 

Lexical Resource (LR)

1. Make correct use of collocation

2. Use a varied range of words

3. Avoid making mistakes

4. Know how to paraphrase words

5. Use less common vocabulary

Grammar Range and Accuracy (GR)

1. Sentences should be well structured

2. Word flow and sentence construction should be accurate

3. Tenses should be used in the right manner

4. Answers should be grammatically correct

Pronunciation (P)

1. Use annotation

2. Correct pronunciation of a word

3. Ability to be understood throughout the test

Important Resources to Read for IELTS:

IELTS Speaking Band Score Chart

The IELTS Speaking band is calculated based on four different levels - Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Pronunciation, and Grammatical range and accuracy. The arithmetic mean of all these four criteria makes the band score for the speaking section of IELTS. For instance, if an aspirant score 6,7,7, and 8 in each of the sections, 6+7+7+8 = 28, when divided by 4 is 7. Listed below is an IELTS speaking band score chart that will help students to understand the band scores.

More Resources to Read for IELTS:

IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors

The IELTS Speaking band score assesses a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively in a face-to-face conversation and their ability to understand a variety of accents. The table below presents an IELTS Speaking band descriptors:

Speaking Score Calculation

A test taker receives a score from zero to nine points based on the above-mentioned four criteria. Following it, an arithmetic mean is calculated to determine the section’s total score. 

For example, if a candidate’s marks are:

Fluency and Coherence: 7.5,

Pronunciation: 7.0,

Lexical Resource: 7.0,

Grammatical Range and Accuracy – 7.5.

Then the total score for IELTS Speaking is 7.5+7.0+7.0+7.5= 29/4 =7.25, which will be rounded to 7.5. Thus, the IELTS speaking score will be 7.5. 

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Conclusion

IELTS speaking is a compulsory section that tests the English language’s communication skills. The test takers are evaluated on fluency and coherence, lexical resources, grammar range and accuracy, and pronunciation. The average IELTS speaking band score is 6.5. Applicants need to prepare for all four eligibility criteria to get a winning band in the IELTS speaking section.