IELTS Basics
IELTS Band Score Explained
IELTS results are reported as band scores from 0 to 9 for each skill and as an overall band. This lesson explains what each band means, how the overall score is calculated and rounded, and the bands typically required for study and migration.
The 9-band scale
| Band | Level | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert | Fully operational command of English |
| 8 | Very good | Occasional unsystematic inaccuracies |
| 7 | Good | Handles complex language well |
| 6 | Competent | Generally effective use of English |
| 5 | Modest | Partial command, copes with overall meaning |
| 4 | Limited | Basic competence in familiar situations |
How the overall band is calculated
You receive a band for each of the four skills. Your overall band is the average of these four scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
- Add your four skill bands and divide by four.
- If the average ends in .25, it rounds up to the next half band.
- If it ends in .75, it rounds up to the next whole band.
Example: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.0, Speaking 7.0 = 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 → rounds up to an overall band 6.5.
What band do you need?
- Most undergraduate courses: overall 6.0–6.5.
- Most postgraduate courses: overall 6.5–7.0.
- Skilled migration (Australia/Canada): often 6.0–7.0 per skill for maximum points.
- Nursing/medical registration: frequently 7.0 in each skill.
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Take test →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a half band like 6.5 in a single skill?+
Yes. Listening and Reading are reported in whole and half bands; Writing and Speaking are also reported in whole and half bands using detailed descriptors.
Is a band 7 hard to get?+
Band 7 means you handle complex language with only occasional errors. It is very achievable with structured practice, especially by fixing repeated grammar mistakes and improving Task 2 essays.