Decoding the IELTS score for success Your roadmap to high scores!

Find out your IELTS score

IELTS results are presented in terms of component scores and overall scores. Students receive a component score for each IELTS module and an overall score that is the average of the four component scores (the scores for each module contribute equally). IELTS uses the “banding” system to report scores, which is on a scale of 0 to 9 in half-point intervals (e.g., 6.0 or 8.5). Since it is mathematically possible for the mean of the component scores to end in a number other than 0 or 5, these scores are rounded up or down to the nearest half point (5.25, for example, will be reported as 5.5, while 5.125 will be reduced to 5.0).

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Why take the IELTS test?

Performing the is a challenge, but the number of people willing to do it is growing every year. There are several reasons why you might need to enroll, below we highlight the most common and important reasons:

• Immigration and citizenship: taking the IELTS test should be your first step if you are considering moving to an English-speaking country such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand. These countries require you to demonstrate your English language skills in order to obtain permanent residency. Language proficiency determines your chances of successfully integrating into a new community and securing suitable employment.
• Studying abroad: having certain IELTS scores is usually one of the main conditions for applying to colleges and universities abroad. Admission requirements include the minimum score that each applicant must have. Contact the institution you wish to attend for more information. It will help you determine your needs and objectives in order to prepare for the exam properly.
• Employment in an English-speaking country: if you want to pursue a career abroad, you will also have to prove that your English is good enough. This will allow you to apply for a work visa. For example, you will need to score 6.5 in each component of the IELTS test in order to obtain a visa in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand. Australia and Canada set a slightly lower requirement of 6.0. Please note that you should always check the minimum score requirements. They may vary depending on the organization you want to work for and your occupation.
• Universally recognized certificate: The IELTS test is recognized worldwide as an accurate assessment of language proficiency. More than 140 countries and 10,000 organizations will accept your IELTS certificate. IELTS has a long-standing reputation. Therefore, it will help you achieve your educational, professional or immigration aspirations.
• Good practice: Taking the IELTS test requires a great deal of preparation. Therefore, it becomes a good opportunity to learn and practice English. The exam focuses on different language skills, allowing you to prepare for real-life communication with native speakers: your future colleagues, teachers or neighbors.
• Accurate results: the IELTS test is developed and designed by a team of experts. It uses evidence-based practices that provide a transparent and fair assessment of one’s language skills. The IELTS test adopts a rigorous approach and assessment criteria. Reflects your level of English using the 9-band scoring system. You cannot fail the test, as it only interprets your language level. However, many organizations and government entities require applicants to meet a certain score, usually 5 and above. What sets IELTS apart from many other testing systems is that it also tests speaking, which provides a comprehensive assessment of your English language skills.

IELTS score – How it works

Candidates receive bands from 1 to 9. In this case, band 1 is given to non-users and band 9 to experts. The zero band is for those who have not taken the exam. It should be noted that IELTS band scores older than 2 years will not be considered valid in most cases. However, there is a possibility that it may be considered if the user provides evidence that he/she has maintained a high standard over the past two years.

Note that the IELTS score requirements for different countries are completely different. Therefore, it must be ensured that the scores are obtained in accordance with the criteria established by the different countries. For example, in the case of the Canadian student visa, the band requirement is around 6 to 6.5. A band score lower than this is not considered. Achieving high IELTS scores is no easy task and requires a lot of hard work.

IELTS Score – different levels in IELTS

IELTS scores are simple and easy to understand, and the same scoring system is used for academic and general education tests. Students receive a band score for each of the four sections of the exam, ranging from 0 to 9 in half-point intervals (9 is the highest possible score). Test takers also receive a total score from 0 to 9 which is calculated by adding the four sections, dividing the total by four and rounding up or down to the nearest half point. For example, the section scores of 6.5, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 add up to 24.5, and dividing this total by four equals 6.125, which would produce a total score of 6.0.

What level is 3.5 in IELTS?

The IELTS band score is calculated on the basis of the number of correct answers obtained, below we will briefly describe each band.

• 3 or extremely limited: the candidate has a rudimentary knowledge of the language to convey only the general meaning.
• 2 or intermittent: the candidate has difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
• 1 or non-user: the examiner has limited knowledge of the language with some random isolated words.
• 0 or did not attempt: the candidate was unable to answer any question.

4 o limited

• The candidate does not understand complex language; he/she can handle the basics in very familiar situations.

5 o modest

• The test taker can communicate well in English in familiar circumstances, with partial proficiency and ample errors.

6 o competent

• The candidate has shown effective use of English with some inaccuracies.

7 o good

• Excellent use of language in certain situations.

8 or very good

• Good understanding of English with complex and detailed argumentation. Occasional inaccuracies in unfamiliar situations.

9 o expert

• Complete understanding of English with fluency and accuracy.

How to improve your IELTS score

The first step to success with IELTS is to familiarize yourself with the format and structure of the test, and to practice your writing, reading, speaking and listening skills with the test format in mind. It is necessary to give a lot of time to IELTS preparation. On the internet you can find different resources for IELTS Exam sample certificates – for practice.

7 tips to improve your IELTS score, Use these tips to use your time wisely and maximize your IELTS score:

1. Always read the instructions for each IELTS section carefully to make sure you answer the question accurately.
2. Follow the suggested time allotment to maximize your points. For example, written section 2 has a larger time allotment because it is longer and worth more points than written section 1.
3. There are no right or wrong answers or opinions in the writing or speaking section. You will be evaluated on your ability to use English to express your ideas.
4. Don’t waste valuable test time trying to understand every word or phrase. Instead, try a broader understanding based on the keywords.
5. If there are questions you don’t know the answer to, leave them and move on to the next one, especially if they are not worth many points. You can try to answer them again at the end. Try not to leave any question completely blank; it is always better to write an incorrect answer than no answer at all.
6. Take as many practice tests as you can. They will help you become familiar with the content and format of the exam.
7. Although you should show some advanced vocabulary, it is better to speak basic vocabulary correctly than to overdo it with advanced words that you are not confident with. Try to avoid informal phrases or abbreviated forms of words.

On our website we have developed a series of useful articles to inform students about the meaning of ielts scores, how to prepare for the exam and many more useful tips to prepare for the IELTS exam.