IELTS Results 2023 - Band Scores, Score Validity & Calculation, How to Download Scorecard

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Jul 31, 2023 9:43 AM IST

The IELTS Computer-based Test scorecard is released within 3 to 5 days, while, the IELTS Paper-based Test score is released within 13 days of taking the exam. The IELTS result is released in the form of a report. It is mandatory to have an original IELTS scorecard to apply to a foreign university. 

The IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) provides the overall IELTS band score as well as band scores for each of the four sections. To make the scoring easy to understand, IELTS scores are reported on a 9-band scale.

After giving the IELTS exam, candidates must have a clear idea about how to check their IELTS results and generate their IELTS scorecards. Find everything about it here. 

IELTS Results 2023: August, September and October Dates

Check out the IELTS Results Dates for 2023:

The IELTS paper-based exam results come out after 13 days of taking the exam. Students must check the result on the date when it is supposed to come out from the IDP IELTS website. So here are the IELTS results dates for August, September and October 2023 here:

August 2023

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Module

IELTS Score Date

August 5, 2023

Academic 

August 19, 2023

August 10, 2023

Academic and General Training

August 24, 2023

August 19, 2023

Academic

September 2, 2023

August 26, 2023

Academic and General Training

September 9, 2023

September 2023

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Module

IELTS Score Date

September 2, 2023

Academic 

June 16, 2023

September 9, 2023

Academic and General Training

April 23, 2023

September 14, 2023

Academic

June 28, 2023

September 23, 2023

Academic and General Training

July 7, 2023

October 2023

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Module

IELTS Score Date

October 7, 2023

Academic and General Training

October 21, 2023

October 12, 2023

Academic 

October 26, 2023

October 21, 2023

Academic 

November 4, 2023

October 28, 2023

Academic and General Training

November 11, 2023

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How to Check IELTS Result 2023?

There are several methods to check IELTS overall results and sectional scores. Students can check the result online through the IDP IELTS website, via email, through SMS or by visiting the test centres. 

Candidates can access the IELTS score online by following the steps given below:

Step 1: Visit the official website of IDP IELTS 

Step 2: Check out the “Result” tab.

Step 3: Click the test date.

Step 4: Submit the candidate's name, passport or ID number, family name and date of birth.

Step 5: The IELTS result will appear on the screen.

The results are available online for 28 days. The physical copy will be delivered via email after the announcement of the results.

When is IELTS Result Released?

The IELTS score is released once the scoring process is complete.  It will arrive after 13 days for IELTS paper-based test and within 3-5 days for the IELTS computer-based test. The IELTS UKVI results are declared within 13 days of the written test while IELTS Online test results are received within 3-6 days. For detailed information, check out the salient differences between IELTS on Computer vs IELTS on Paper.

For the IELTS exam taken at test centres, students will receive one copy of the Test Report Form, or two copies for applying to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is valid for two years. The score obtained testifies to the proficiency of the students in the English language. 

The IELTS scorecard contains overall and sectional band scores along with figures and descriptions. It can be used to apply to universities abroad. Each university has its IELTS requirement and the students must meet it to get admission to the university.

The IELTS result is released in the form of a half band or whole band for example 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, etc. If there are decimals in the score, it is converted to the nearest half or full band. For example, if the score is 7.75, it is converted to 8.0 and if the score is 7.15, the band will be 7 in such cases.

When to Check the IELTS Result?

IELTS TRF is generated after the result is declared. It will be possible to check, download and send test certificates once it is declared. Candidates can check their scores of IELTS after 3 to 6 days in case of IELTS online and IELTS CBT test. The IELTS PBT takes up to 13 days for the result declaration. 

Students receive the notification of the result and the links via email. They can log in to the website and get their results. Later the IELTS TRF copy can be collected from the respective IELTS test centres once it is received. 

What is IELTS Provisional Marksheet?

It is possible to view the provisional mark sheet of the IELTS exam after 13 days. Provisional test results are unofficial and therefore the screenshots and printed copies of the same will not be accepted as IELTS certificates. The formal scores can be obtained only after the IELTS TRF is mailed. Students can find the provisional results online for only four weeks. 

What is IELTS Test Report Form (TRF)?

The IELTS TRF is a copy of the candidate’s  IELTS result. It includes the sectional band score of all four sections: reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as the overall band score. Each of the sections is given equal weightage in terms of score. The IELTS scorecard is subdivided into two types:

Personal IELTS TRF

The scores of all four skills and the total band score are included in the personal IELTS TRF. Each candidate receives only one TRF that has a validity period of two years. It can take up to ten days to receive the scores from the day of the result declaration.  It is necessary to keep the scorecard safe as they will not receive another if they lose this. The TRF is delivered via speed post or courier. When they are ready to be delivered, students receive a tracking number via SMS. 

Institutional IELTS TRF

It is possible to send IELTS results to five colleges at a time for free. The choice of the institutes has to be made while registering for the IELTS exam. Besides students can request additional Score reports by filling up additional IELTS TRF by providing the names and addresses of the institutions to which they wish to apply. The TRF will be delivered to the institutes directly.

Additional Score Report

Additionally, candidates can pay to send additional test reports to colleges and universities during the validity of the IELTS TRF. It can be delivered by:

  • Post: To send via post, candidates have to pay INR 250 for each address. Airmail delivery of the post will take around two weeks. 

  • Electronic: For electronic submissions to the university the charges are the same, that is, INR 250 per university. The results will be sent via email to those universities who have subscribed to the electronic IELTS score download.

  • International Courier: For an international courier, candidates are required to pay INR 1,250 per address. The candidates are given tracking numbers via SMS.

Know more about IELTS scores: 

IELTS Reading Band Score

IELTS Average Band Score

IELTS Listening Score

IELTS Band Score Calculator

How to Send the IELTS TRF to Institutions?

Colleges and universities abroad accept original copies of the IELTS TRF or IELTS certificate. The provisional mark sheets are not accepted in such cases. The candidates can send their test reports directly to the IELTS participating institutions by selecting them while at the IELTS test centre. They have the liberty to select the institutes where they want to send the scores.

It is optional to send the IELTS results from the IELTS test centre. If they wish, candidates can upload or send the scores individually while applying at the respective colleges and universities. The photocopies of test results are not accepted in most institutes.

IELTS Score Validity

The validity of the IELTS score is two years. After that candidates need to take the exam again if they wish to apply to foreign universities. The validity period is determined mostly by the authorities of the university to which students are applying. Most of the UK, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and German universities accept scores for two years after the generation of the IELTS TRF.

The IELTS validity is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams. 

The concept of the validity of the test scores has been introduced keeping in mind the dynamic nature of fluency over a language. Proficiency in the English language may increase or decrease over time with or without regular usage. In such cases, they fail to serve as true indicators of the test-taker's language proficiency. The validity of the same can be extended up to three years depending on the discretion of the organisation. 

One should plan the IELTS exam according to the points mentioned:

  •  IELTS score must be valid while one is applying for various courses in the university.

  • The IELTS score must remain valid before accepting and receiving the university offer letter. 

  • It should also be valid before the start of the course.

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How is IELTS Result Calculated?

0-9 is the score range of IELTS band scores or IELTS results. This scoring range is used to measure both section-wise and overall band scores. The IELTS overall band score is calculated as the average of band scores of all sections such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. The score is represented in whole or half-bands for example 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 or 7.5.

Besides the overall IELTS band score, the scores of each IELTS section are also important. These section-wise scores are scaled based on raw scores obtained in respective sections of the exam. After getting all the IELTS section-wise band scores, they are calculated to get an average band score. All the sectional scores are added together and then divided by four to find out the average. 

While calculating the IELTS band scores and results, the mathematical principle of rounding off is applied. According to this principle, if the last decimal place is less than 5, then the previous decimal place is rounded off to the previous whole number and if the last decimal place is more than 5, then the previous decimal place is rounded off to the next whole number. For example, the IELTS results can be represented in whole or half bands such as in the case of 6.25, it can be rounded off to 6.3. Also, since the last decimal space is less than 5, the final band score is 6.0 band.

The higher the IELTS band score is the better its chances of helping the test-taker to get accepted by the target institute. An 8.0 band IELTS score will help test-takers get accepted at any institution they might apply to. 

Check the following table to know how IELTS overall band is calculated by averaging the section-wise band scores:

Reading 

Listening 

Writing 

Speaking 

Average Score 

Band Score 

6.5 

6.0

6.0

7.0 

6.375

6.5 

7.5

6.5 

6.5

6.0

6.625

6.5

6.0

7.0

7.0

6.0 

6.5 

6.5

7.5

7.5

7.0 

6.5 

7.125

7.0 

6.0

5.5

6.0

6.0 

5.85

6.0

The above table shows an average score that ends above 0.5 but is below 0.75 and is rounded up to the next whole number while on the other hand, an average IELTS band score that ends below 0.25 is rounded off to the next whole number. The band 0.5 does not need to be rounded off to the lower or higher band as it is an approved IELTS band score. 

Here are some articles to help you score well in the IELTS exam by strengthening your vocabulary and preparing the right strategy:

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What if there is any Discrepancy in IELTS Result?

In case of any discrepancy in the IELTS TRF, candidates can enquire about the test results at the test centre where the test was taken within six weeks of taking the test. Candidates must choose the sections of the test for which they want to request a remarking.

Enquiring about the IELTS certificate is chargeable. However, the amount charged is refundable in case of an improved test score after enquiry.

The IELTS score after an enquiry is released within 2 to 21 days, which depends on various factors like the number of quotations raised for remarking among others. In case there is no response within 28 days, candidates must enquire about it at the test centre.

IELTS Band Score Chart

The IELTS scorecard reports band scores on a 0-9  scale, 1 being the lowest and 9 being the highest. A band score of 0 means that the test-taker did not appear for the test. The IELTS band score scale is designed to allow universities and candidates to interpret the score easily and accurately..

Each IELTS band represents a set of skills. These skills are relevant to the test-taker fluency in the English language. Each IELTS band score defines the proficiency of a test taker in the application of skills up to that band. Hence, an IELTS band score of 8.0 represents that the test-taker is proficient in applying the skills of all bands up to 8.0.

Each band is labelled by the user level fluency. Here is how each IELTS band score is labelled, and their respective skill sets: 

IELTS Band Score

Skill Level

Description  

9

Expert User

The candidate is:

  • fluent in the English language,

  • has a complete understanding of the English language, and

  • knows how to use  appropriate and accurate English language.  

8

Very Good User

The candidate has:

  • complete understanding of the English language, but,

  • sometimes uses unsystematic, inaccurate, and inappropriate English.

7

Good User

The candidate has:

  • good understanding of the English language and its concepts, but,

  • rate of unsystematic, inaccurate, and inappropriate English usage is also frequent.

6

Competent User

The candidate has:

  • an effective command of important aspects of the English language,

  • has the ability to understand complex sentences and topics,

  • can sometimes use inappropriate English language, and 

  • is prone to misunderstanding phrases, and sentences.

5

Modest User

The candidate has:

  • a partial command of the English language’s important aspects,

  • showcases a good understanding of overall language, but,

  • likely to make mistakes while framing sentence, and

  • can easily handle and engage in basic communication relevant to their field.

4

Limited User

The candidate faces:

  • frequent problems in understanding and expressing themselves using the English language, and

  • is not able to understand, handle, or engage in complex conversation topics, even in their own field.

3

Extremely Limited User

The candidate can:

  • understand only the general meaning in highly familiar situations,

  • experience frequent breakdowns while  communicating in the English language, and

  • cannot hold or engage in a conversation.

2

Intermittent User

The candidate has an understanding of the English language. They only have knowledge of a few popular phrases or words.

1

Non-User

The candidate cannot understand the English language at all. They have a knowledge of only few words and common short sentences.

0

Absent

The candidate did not appear for the test or did not answer the questions. 

Check out the IELTS Band Score Chart for detailed information.

IELTS Reading and Listening Scores

IELTS Reading and IELTS Listening sections are designed identically. Both the sections are objective question-based sections and each asks a total of 40 questions from the test-taker. The sectional scores of both the parts are represented in whole and half bands on the 0-9 band score range. 

During the scoring process of the IELTS Reading section and the IELTS Listening section following steps are followed to reach the band score depicted in the IELTS certificate:

Step 1: The section-wise raw scores are calculated by awarding one mark for each correct answer. There is no negative marking applicable for wrong or unanswered questions. The maximum possible IELTS Reading and Listening raw score is 40. Hence, the raw score scale is 0-40.

Step 2: The raw scores are scaled into the IELTS band score with the help of a conversion table, which further depends on various aspects of the exam for the given attempt. It uses the method of percentiles to appropriate relevant band scores.

Step 3: The section-wise IELTS band score is converted into half or full bands using the rounding-off method of mathematics. The working principle of the method is the same as defined for the overall IELTS band score calculation in the previous section.

Check out the conversion table used for raw scores to section-wise IELTS band conversion for reading and listening sections here:

IELTS Writing Scores

To score the IELTS writing section, the examiners analyse the written answers of the test takers for the following four criteria and award them a band score.

  • Coherence and cohesion

  • Grammatical range and accuracy

  • Lexical resource

  • Task achievement (for Task 1)

  • Task response (for Task 2)

The band scores are weighted and averaged in the same manner as the IELTS Speaking section band score. The IELTS writing band score is represented in whole or half bands just like the other three sections. Hence, the weighted average is rounded off if it requires so.

IELTS Speaking Scores

The IELTS Speaking section is conducted in the presence of an examiner, who analyses the test takers' answers for the following four criteria when awarding a band score.

  • Coherence and fluency

  • Grammatical range and accuracy

  • Lexical resource

  • Pronunciation

The bands for each criterion are allowed weights. The weighted bands are averaged for an overall band score for the IELTS result for the speaking test.

Country-wise IELTS Score Requirements

IELTS certificate can be used to apply to various foreign institutions, such as universities, visa immigration authorities, employers, and fundraising foundations, among others. The IELTS band score required by each institution is different, however, observing the prevalent trend in the country, an average IELTS band score that is accepted can be estimated.

Here are the countries which accept IELTS TRF and their prevalent IELTS band score requirement for education and immigration purposes:

Country

IELTS Band Score Requirement (minimum)

Higher Education 

Immigration/PR Visa 

USA

6.0-7.0

6.5

UK

6.5-7.5

5.5

Canada

6.0-7.0

6.0

Australia

6.0-6.5

7.0

New Zealand

5.5-7.0

6.5

Germany

5.5-6.5

6.5

UAE

6.5-7.5

7.0

Other European Countries

6.0-7.5

5.5

Note: Before submitting IELTS TRF to any country or institution, test takers must check the IELTS validity applicable in that country.

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FAQs on IELTS Result/Scores

How is the IELTS speaking section scored?

The IELTS speaking section is scored on a range of 0-9 IELTS band scores. To score the performance of the test takers in the speaking section, the parameters of fluency, pronunciation, appropriate grammar usage and cohesion are considered. Each of the four factors is weighed equally to derive a final band score for the section. The raw scores are awarded on basis of the examiner’s judgement.

What is the IELTS Test Report Form (TRF)?

The IELTS Test Report Form or TRF is the official IELTS score report issued by the IELTS authority after the declaration of the results as a scorecard. It contains an overall IELTS band score and section-wise IELTS band score each ranging on a scale of 0-9. TRF is a copy of your IELTS score and each applicant is given one copy which is valid for two years. The rules are slightly different for citizens applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA).

What to do if there is a discrepancy in the IELTS test score?

In case there is a discrepancy in the IELTS test score, then you can get the scores cancelled. You can file a complaint with the IELTS testing authority about the reason why you believe there is a discrepancy. If on assessment, the authority finds the claims true, they will cancel your scores, and you may reattempt your IELTS test. The discrepancies are those events that materially impact your IELTS results in an adverse manner.

Is there any procedure to get the IELTS score rechecked?

Yes, there does exist a procedure to get the IELTS score rechecked. All you need to do is apply for a recheck within six weeks of your IELTS test date. You may request a recheck of the whole test or of a particular section(s) as well. The results of your requested recheck shall be available within 2 to 21 days of your request. You will have to pay a fee of INR 11,625 to get your scores rechecked in India.

How can I send my IELTS score to the institute?

There are mainly two ways to send your IELTS score to the institute. You can either use the services provided by the IDP and send your scores with the help of the said IELTS testing authority or you can choose the institutions to whom the scores are to be sent. Alternatively, you can download the IELTS scorecard and use the same to send it to your chosen institutes.

How can I check my IELTS score?

You can use your IELTS login credentials to check your IELTS score. You can use the said credentials to log in and then access the link to view your IELTS score. Once IELTS results have been declared, you can access your scores from 12 A.M. GMT onwards on the result declaration date. This IELTS TRF can be accessed by you for up to 28 days from the day of the result declaration.

What is a good IELTS score?

The IELTS exam is rated from 0 to 9 bands. If you are taking IELTS for academic purposes, 6.5 or above bands is a good IELTS score. If you are taking IELTS for academic purposes, 7.0 bands is already an exceptional score and will be accepted at any university.

What is the validity of IELTS Score?

The IELTS score is valid for 2 years, commencing on the date of receipt. In addition, the validity/expiry term for an IELTS certificate is 2 years from the day the results are announced. After 2 years from the date of the result, the IELTS score will be ruled invalid.

How is the IELTS test result released?

IELTS test score is released in the form of a report, commonly called the Test Report Form and is scored in bands for each section ranging between 0 and 9. Your official Test Report Form (TRF) will be mailed to you by your IELTS test centre. For IELTS on computer, your TRF will be available 3-5 days after your exam date, whereas, for Paper IELTS, your TRF will be mailed to you 13 days after your exam date.

When is the IELTS exam result released?

The IELTS exam results/scores are released the following way: If you took IELTS on paper, your results will be available online 13 days following the test. If you took IELTS on a computer, your results will be accessible online 3-5 days after you took the test. In case you took the IELTS Online Test, you will get your results within the next 3-6 days.

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