IELTS Band Score Calculator - IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking Score Calculator

What is IELTS Band Score Calculator?

IELTS score calculator is a tool used to calculate a student’s scores obtained in the exam. The IELTS, with scoring measured in bands, has the most unique scoring system as no other standardised test uses a similar system. Apart from the unique measure, the method of calculating IELTS band scores is also distinct.

IELTS exam sections are graded in 0-9 whole and decimal bands. The decimal bands show the proficiency of the test taker in the skills related to that band. A decimal score nearer to the lower limit shows that the test taker can apply the skills of the band, but with difficulty. As the decimals grow closer to the upper limit the proficiency and comfort of test-takers in the application of skills of the band become easier.

For example, if a test taker receives an IELTS score of 6.7 in the listening section, it suggests they have a good grasp of the English language and can grasp complicated use of it, but they might have some pace-related issues with regional accents, unfamiliar content, etc. 

The average of a test-section taker's bands is used to calculate their overall IELTS band score. The average is rounded off in the IELTS band score calculator according to how near it is to entire or half bands.

Interested to know how to increase your IELTS overall score? It is as simple as checking out the following links and reviewing the information in detail:

IELTS Band Score Overview

IELTS exam does not grade the performance of the test-takers in scores, instead, British Council (testing authority) has a special name for IELTS scores, i.e. ‘band scores’.

IELTS bands score, rather than being a standalone score, represents a qualitative range of a test taker’s ability. The IELTS band score chart describes the multiple skills of the test taker and how well they can put it to use in real life. This includes their ability to use their skills in dynamic situations. 

It also suggests that if a test taker has an IELTS score of 5.5 bands, they are likely to employ band 5 abilities to their maximum advantage and may be able to partially apply skills in the band range of 5 to 6. Additionally, they can directly utilise a range of skills, although not in objective ways.

The IELTS score calculator is immensely helpful because it evaluates the test taker's comfort and proficiency with the English language. Fluency and comfort are qualitative parameters, making it impossible to accurately quantify them. The IELTS band score chart aids in giving quantifiable scoring a qualitative interpretation.

IELTS band skills make it simpler to grasp what the test taker would be required to do, however, precise scoring methods make it more difficult to pinpoint the test taker's performance. 

IELTS band score calculator ranges from 0 to 9 and each band score exists as a skill descriptor rather than a number. The same makes decimal scoring possible.

Section-wise IELTS Band Score

There are four sections in IELTS exam - listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section is scored individually on the basis of skills presented by the test-taker while attempting the exam. The reading band score, the listening band score, the writing band score and the speaking band score demonstrate how well the test-taker can apply them to real-life situations.

Overall IELTS Band Score

Overall IELTS score chart is an average of the band scores of test-takers in each section. The score is a representation of all the skills combined and how they reflect in the overall demeanour of the candidate. In simple words, the overall IELTS band score chart is a representation of the overall performance of the test taker in using language skills.

How is IELTS Band Score Calculated?

As previously stated, the IELTS band calculator is not a real instrument, but rather a set of standards that are used to evaluate a candidate's score.

Section-wise IELTS Band Score Calculator 

The IELTS score calculator adheres to the following guidelines: 

• The band score is determined by the test-takers skills and a calculation of how easily they were applied.

• The test-takers standing in the band are based on how quickly they apply the necessary competence in a convenient manner.

• IELTS band scores may be expressed in decimal form.

• IELTS bands may be rounded off to the nearest decimal place. If the final IELTS band score in any part is 5.65, it will be rounded down to the full or half band.

Overall IELTS Band Score Calculator 

The following guidelines are relevant when determining the overall IELTS band score:

• An average IELTS score is calculated after taking into account the IELTS band calculator for each component.

• The closest half or full band is used when the average score is a decimal.

• The rounded-off score is taken into account while determining an overall IELTS band score.

IELTS Band Score Calculator Samples

IELTS Band Calculator has a process that might seem tricky to understand. 

Hence, here are some samples of the IELTS score calculator in which section-wise scores have first been averaged, and then this average has been rounded to the nearest full or half bands.

Sample 1

Sample 2

Sample 3

IELTS Band Scores and Skills Interpretation

Each IELTS band score calculator represents the test takers' ability, flexibility and comfort level in speaking the English language. The entire band in the IELTS score calculator indicates how easily a test-taker can use all of the skills associated with that band in the most interactive way.

IELTS Band Score 9

IELTS Band score of 9 is the highest band representation in the IELTS Band Calculator. Here, the test-taker is considered an expert user.

Band Range

• 8-9

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 9 possesses the following skills:

• Complete knowledge of the English language.

• Competent, ethical, and correct use of the English language.

• Representation of thorough grasp of English.

IELTS Band Score 8

IELTS Band score of 8 in the IELTS band calculator represents the test taker as a ‘very good user’ of the English language.

Band Range

• 7-8

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 8 possesses the following skills:

• Full operational mastery of English, with intermittent and irregular errors.

• Use of the English language that is correct, precise, and fluid, with few and irregular mistakes.

• High understanding displayed, but with the potential for errors in an unfamiliar situation.

• Strong handling of intricate, comprehensive argumentation.

IELTS Band Score 7

Test-takers with an IELTS band score of 7 on the IELTS score chart are considered ‘good users’ of English language skills.

Band Range

• 6-7

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 7 possesses the following skills:

• Occasionally inaccurate operational command.

• Competent, accurate, and proper use of the English language, with the occasional instance of improper usage.

• A decent demonstration of comprehension with the occasional misunderstanding.

• General demonstration of effective complicated language management abilities, especially in familiar contexts.

IELTS Band Score 6

IELTS band score 6 translates to a ‘competent user’ in the IELTS band score chart.

Band Range

• 5-6

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 6 possesses the following skills:

• Understanding of fairly complex language, especially in familiar situations. 

• Effective language command. 

• Possibility of inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings.

IELTS Band Score 5

Candidates with an IELTS band score of 5 are considered ‘modest users’ of the English language in the IELTS calculator.

Band Range

• 4-5

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 5 possesses the following skills:

• Able to cope with overall meaning in most situations. 

• Partial language command. 

• Able to handle basic communication in one’s own field.

Band Score 4 and less

IELTS band score of 4 represents a ‘limited user’ and all IELTS band scores below 4 are considered representatives of a beginner or incompetent user in the band score calculator.

Band Range

• 4 and less

Skill Representation 

The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 4 possesses the following skills:

• Problems in communication, understanding, and expression. 

• Basic competence or low competence. 

• Able to convey either very general or no meaning.

Note: A ‘zero’ or ‘0’ on the IELTS band score scale represents the skill level of a non-user. This means that the candidate has extremely limited knowledge of the English language.

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Importance of IELTS Band Score Calculator

The IELTS calculator stands out among test score calculators with convenience. Starting with bands of grades, the IELTS band calculator establishes them on a qualitative basis. Also, rather than keeping the IELTS band scores for the sections and overall IELTS band scores apart, the IELTS score calculator calculates the mean cumulative value of the sectional scores.

There is no denying that the IELTS band calculator is unique. Other people might wonder, nevertheless, if it has any logical significance at all. So, here are a few examples that can demonstrate how significant the distinctiveness of the IELTS score calculator is:

• The IELTS is a type of standardised assessment test that reckons a test taker's command of the English language. Eloquence is an intangible quality that cannot be measured. The IELTS band score calculator therefore accurately depicts the test taker's English proficiency levels.  Instead of assigning a fluency score, this exam uses a band system to represent the test-taker's language usage sharpness and cohesiveness.

• The IELTS band calculator closely resembles the test-taker's overall level of English comprehension because the comprehensive IELTS score is calculated as the aggregate of all section-wise IELTS band scores. The total score in the case of detachable scores does not accurately reflect the sum of the different components. This is because the upper limit scores typically have an impact and the lower scores do not accurately reflect it. If a candidate's inadequacies are overlooked in favour of their strengths, it is not a fair evaluation of their proficiency.

• The IELTS score calculator is a set of standards, not merely just a hypothetical tool. It enables more accurate measurement of the skills revealed by test-takers as opposed to relying on clear-cut scoring, which has been proved to be impracticable to compute qualitative aspects like English language proficiency and serviceability.

The IDP now uses the IELTS band score table as its grading scheme, so test takers shouldn't have any trouble understanding how and why it is determined. It is essential that test-takers carefully study this manual since it contains instructions for using the IELTS band score calculator, which measures candidates' English language proficiency.

Understanding the skill that each IELTS band on the scale represents is crucial. IELTS band scores are typically provided in decimals, and each decimal point could bring test-takers one step closer to their goals. The opposite, however, is also correct.

IELTS Band Score Comparison with PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo

The IELTS band score comparison with other English language proficiency exams like PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo helps to get an understanding of the IELTS score equivalent to other exams. To begin with, IELTS is scored on a band of 0-9, TOEFL is scored on a scale of 0-120, PTE is scored between 0-90 and Duolingo is scored on a scale of 10 to 160. 

Here is an IELTS band score comparison with PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo: