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 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.
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IELTS Band Score
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IELTS Band Score Label
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9
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Expert
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8
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Very Good
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7
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Good
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6
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Competent
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5
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Modest
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4
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Limited
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3
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Extremely Limited
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2
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Intermittent
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1
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Non-user
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0
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Did not attempt the test
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 9 possesses the following skills:
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Complete knowledge of the English language.
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Competent, ethical, and correct use of the English language.
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 8 possesses the following skills:
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Full operational mastery of English, with intermittent and irregular errors.
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Use of the English language that is correct, precise, and fluid, with few and irregular mistakes.
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High understanding displayed, but with the potential for errors in an unfamiliar situation.
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 7 possesses the following skills:
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Occasionally inaccurate operational command.
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Competent, accurate, and proper use of the English language, with the occasional instance of improper usage.
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A decent demonstration of comprehension with the occasional misunderstanding.
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 6 possesses the following skills:
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Understanding of fairly complex language, especially in familiar situations.
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Effective language command.
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 5 possesses the following skills:
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Able to cope with overall meaning in most situations.
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Partial language command.
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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
Skill Representation
The IELTS test-taker having a band score of 4 possesses the following skills:
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Problems in communication, understanding, and expression.
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Basic competence or low competence.
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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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