How is IELTS Band Score Calculated?

When you want to study or relocate abroad, IELTS is a widely acknowledged test to establish your English language proficiency. Many institutes and organizations all over the world accept the IELTS score. A good IELTS score is required for admission to top international universities and access to a world of possibilities. Let's take a look at how IELTS band scores are calculated.

IELTS Test Areas 

The IELTS test is divided into two categories: IELTS Academic Test and IELTS General Training Test.

• IELTS Academic Test 

For those wishing to apply for higher education or work in an English-speaking environment. Examine your ability to attend any institution or university for undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

• IELTS General Test 

For students wishing to enroll in secondary school or training programs, or who want to work in an English-speaking environment. The test focuses on fundamental skills concerning social and workplace situations.
Also learn: IELTS Test Pattern - Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking

What is a Band Score in IELTS?

The IELTS Band Score is the criterion by which all candidates and students taking the exam are evaluated. Proper IELTS training in Kuwait and Steady and structured learning from informative resources may help you achieve a good band score. It is measured on a range from 1-to 9 scores. Each skill (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) will have a band score, as well as an overall band score. The total band score is the sum of all the skills.

IELTS Score Scale 

How are IELTS band scores calculated? Knowing the IELTS score scale in depth will make your job easier. The IELTS exam assigns students a band score. The bands categorize students based on their English language reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The band scores are on a scale of one to nine. Each range has the following meaning in terms of an individual's capability:

9 – Expert User
8 – Very good user
7 – Good User
6 – Competent User
5 – Modest User
4 – Limited User
3 – Extremely limited user
2 – Intermittent user
1 – Non-user

Criteria to Calculate Band Scores

• Writing  

Examiners assign a band score to a writing test based on each of the four assessment criteria:

• Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
• Coherence and Cohesion
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy

• Speaking

Examiners assign a band score to a speaking test based on each of the four assessment criteria:

• Fluency and Coherence
• Lexical Resource
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Pronunciation

Reading Test Band Score

You must be aware of how the IELTS Band Scores are calculated for the reading test. There are 40 questions on the IELTS reading test. If you correctly answer a question, you will receive one mark. A candidate can get a maximum of 40 points and a minimum of 0. The candidates' scores are transformed into an IELTS band scale.

Listening Test Band Score     

The IELTS listening section includes 40 questions. Because each correct item is awarded one mark, the maximum raw score for each component is 40. Candidates are given band scores ranging from Band 1 to Band 9 based on their raw scores (number of correct answers).

Read now: How to Get a High Score in IELTS in One Month?

 How to Calculate the Overall Band Scores?   

The average of the four component scores is rounded to the nearest whole or half band for the Overall Band Score. All of the component scores are equally weighted. The Overall Band Score is rounded up to the next half band if the average of the four components ends in.25, and to the next full band if it ends in.75. The overall score is rounded down if the average finishes with a fraction less than.25 or.75.

IELTS Score Needed for Different Countries

•  U.S.          

The United States is a popular location for both students and job seekers. Everyone aspires to live the American dream. The United States has some of the best universities in the world in every sector. In the United States, the minimum band requirement for working or studying is 6.0, but this varies per institution.

• France      

France is a popular study abroad destination all around the world. If you are planning or desiring to apply to one of France's best universities, you must meet certain eligibility criteria and admission standards. One of those is the French and English language requirements. You must have French language proficiency proof or attend a language course to enroll in French-taught courses and activities. A minimum of 6.5 IELTS bands is required for English-taught courses and programs.

• Australia      

With sandy beaches and a laid-back outdoor culture, Australia is the world's third most popular country for overseas study. For immigration purposes, students intending to apply for a student visa in Australia must have a minimum IELTS band of 5.5. Furthermore, a competent IELTS score of 6.0 or above is preferable, and a total score of 8.0 or higher is required to apply to Australia's best colleges.

• Canada      

Canada is well-known not only for its welcoming immigration policy but also for the foreign study opportunities provided by leading Canadian universities.
Universities in Canada also use the IELTS score as a criterion for admitting international students. If you wish to study in Canada as an undergraduate, you must have a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 and 5.5 for each subject. When applying for a graduate student visa in Canada, you must have an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and a score of 6 in each component.

• Germany     

Some Indian students prefer the country known for its gorgeous machines because of its inexpensive costs and economical student housing. A minimum IELTS band of 5.0 is required for moving to Germany.

• United Kingdom (UK)

The English language and the IELTS exam are both administered in the United Kingdom. Some of the world's most prestigious universities are located in the United Kingdom. The IELTS band of 5.53 is required for selection in the visa procedure for moving to the UK.

You may also learn: Which Countries Accept IELTS? All You Want to Know About IELTS

Conclusion 

It is not difficult to understand how IELTS band scores are calculated. But it is critical to achieve a decent IELTS band score to study in your desired study abroad country without any difficulty. Your IELTS reading, writing, listening, and speaking band scores all impact your prospects of studying abroad. As a result, focusing on each subject of the IELTS test and preparing enough is critical to securing a spot at your desired overseas university.