IELTS Band Descriptors: Understand IELTS Band Score and Marking Criteria
IELTS score you receive reflects your English language proficiency across four key skills. Your reading, listening, speaking, and writing IELTS band score ranges from 0 to 9 level. IELTS band descriptors are a detailed breakdown of what each score level signifies in terms of your English abilities. The band description IELTS goes beyond just a number. They describe your ability to understand complex ideas, communicate effectively, and utilize appropriate vocabulary within an academic context. Understanding your IELTS band descriptors in each section allows you to identify areas for improvement and tailor your preparation.
| Table of Contents |
IELTS Band Descriptors
Progressing in IELTS is directly related to IELTS band descriptors. Having a better understanding of IELTS band score helps you to understand your language proficiency level.
| ELTS Overall band scores | Descriptions |
|---|---|
| Band score 9 - Expert user | The candidates giving the test have a fully operational command of the language. The way they apply English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and shows complete understanding. |
| Band score 8 - Very good user | The test takers have a fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They might misunderstand a few things in unfamiliar situations but are efficient to handle challenging and detailed argumentation. |
| Band score 7 - Good user | The test takers have a fully operational command of the language with only minor occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They might misunderstand a few things in difficult situations but can handle complex and detailed arguments well. |
| Band score 6 - Competent user | The test taker has an effective command of the language; however, they face some kind of inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings. They can use and understand quite a complex language, particularly in case they are familiar with the situations. |
| Band score 5 - Modest user | The test takers have a partial command of the language but cope with overall meaning in almost all situations. They can handle communication in their own field. |
| Band score 4 - Limited user | The test taker’s basic competence is limited to some situations only. The candidates have problems with understanding and expression and are not able to use complex language. |
| Band score 3 - Extremely limited user | The candidates are able to understand the only general meaning in very familiar situations. There are many breakdowns in communication. |
| Band score 2 - Intermittent user | The test taker has great difficulty understanding written and spoken English. |
| Band score 1 - Non-user | The test taker demonstrates no ability to use the language except for a few isolated words. |
| Band score 0 - Did not attempt the test | The test taker doesn’t understand the language at all. |
IELTS band descriptors writing task 1 and task are calculated in different ways. IELTS Writing task 1 holds a 30% weightage of marks whereas task 2 holds 60% (candidates get twice the score obtained in task 2). To understand the IELTS general band descriptors writing task 2 as well as academic descriptors better, the calculation below:
band descriptors for writing task 1 score = 8; Writing Task 2 Score = 6. Then the total would be: 8 + 6 + 6 = 20/3 = 6.66.
Note: The actual IELTS score will be around 0.5 of the score calculated above.
IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Listening and IELTS reading band descriptors don’t constitute any performance descriptors but only band scores. Each question carries 1 point, so the raw IELTS listening scores is 40, which is converted into a 9 band scale.
IELTS Listening Band Descriptors
| Band Score | Raw Score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS Reading Band Score
IELTS reading are scored in a similar manner of listening - out of 40 questions. The conversion of raw score to scaled score results in the final score.
If a candidate has secured 30 out of 40 in IELTS reading. To obtain the scaled score, the process is (30/40)*9= 6.75. This is how IELTS reading scores and are calculated. IELTS reading band descriptors can be understood from the breakdown of the band scores.
IELTS Reading Band Descriptors for Academic
| Band Score | Raw Score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16 |
| 6 | 23 |
| 7 | 30 |
| 8 | 35 |
IELTS Reading Band Descriptors for General Training
| Band Score | Raw Score out of 40 |
|---|---|
| 4 | 15 |
| 5 | 23 |
| 6 | 30 |
| 7 | 34 |
| 8 | 38 |
IELTS Speaking and Writing Band Descriptors
Both IELTS band descriptors for speaking and writing have band descriptors specific to their exam pattern.
IELTS Speaking band descriptors are distributed in 4 categories:
- Fluency and coherence
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
- Pronunciation
And IELTS Writing band descriptors task 1 and 2 are scored in these 4 criteria:
- Task response
- Coherence and cohesion
- Lexical resource
- Grammatical range and accuracy
| Band | Speaking | Writing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluency and coherence | Lexical resource | Grammatical range and accuracy | Pronunciation | Task response | Coherence and cohesion | Lexical resource | Grammatical range and accuracy | |
| 9 | Fluency - self-correction – coherent – appropriate topics development | Complete flexible vocabulary with idiomatic language | Full range of error-free structures and sentences | Full range of pronunciation with precision and subtlety | Address all parts of the task with relevant, fully extended, and well-supported ideas | Use cohesion – proper manage paragraphing | Range of vocabulary with minor errors | Different types of structures with flexibility and accuracy - no errors. |
| 8 | Fluency - self-correction - coherent development of the topics | Vocabulary with almost no errorless common and idiomatic phrases - | Sentences rarely contain systematic errors | Wide range of understandable pronunciation. | Speaks fluently - occasional repetition – coherent topics development | Wide vocabulary - a few errors – occasional inaccuracies - effective paraphrasing | Variety of structures - error-free | Flexibility - occasional lapses – easy |
| 7 | Noticeable loss of coherence - language-related hesitation - self-correction – connecting ideas | Flexible vocabulary - less idiomatic use - effective paraphrasing | Complex structures - error-free sentences - few grammatical mistakes | All positive features of Band 6 and a few positive features of Band 8 as well. | Limited loss of coherence - some repetition - self-correction - use of good connectives | Flexible vocabulary - awareness of style and collocation. | Complex structures with better flexibility - error-free sentences - few grammatical mistakes | All positive features of Band 6 and a few positive features of Band 8 as well. |
| 6 | Lose coherence – improper connectives | Familiar with new vocabulary - paraphrases successfully | Can use a combination of simple and complex structures with limited flexibility - errors in complex structures | Range of pronunciation - mixed control. | Improperly addressing – a few errors | >Wide vocabulary - paraphrases without error | Good use of simple and complex structures- some mistakes | Mostly correct grammar |
| 5 | Much repetition - self-correction - over-used connectives | Manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics – limited vocabulary | Basic sentence with accuracy - limited complex structures - a few errors that | Use a limited range of more complex structures, but that includes a few errors and may cause some comprehension problems. | Maintains a flow – repetition - certain connectives | Good use of vocabulary in familiar and unfamiliar topics - mixed success | Basic sentence forms - accuracy - limited range of complex structures | Limited range of accuracy |
| 4 | Not able to respond without noticeable pauses – slow - frequent repetition | Ability to discuss familiar topics only - convey a basic meaning on unfamiliar topics - frequent errors | Basic sentence forms - Many errors | Limited range of pronunciation | Improperly addressing | Poor and basic word choice | Mostly simple sentences | Multiple errors |
| 3 | Long pauses - limited ability to link simple sentences -simple responses | Simple vocabulary - insufficient vocabulary on less-known topics | Basic sentences -memorized expressions | A few of the features of Band 2 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 4 | Improperly addressing with error | Insufficient vocabulary | Basic sentences | Multiple inaccuracies |
| 2 | Frequent pause - communication skills - improper basic sentence forms. | Isolated words or memorized utterances | - | - | Lacks proper writing skills | Basically memorized | Can produce basic sentence forms | Speech is mostly unclear |
| 1 | No communication is possible. | - | - | - | Unclear. | - | - | - |
| 0 | Does not attend | - | - | - | Does not attend | - | - | - |
IELTS Marking Criteria
IELTS overall score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 band. Your IELTS academic score and general training score are evaluated based on 4 criteria. You can refer to the table below to understand in details the marking criteria:
| Marking Criteria | Features | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Task Achievement | To enhance your performance, you need to adhere to the instructions laid out in the questions of each of the 4 sections of the IELTS exam pattern. Mostly, task achievement requires the test-taker to:
| Fulfilling the task achievement according to the IELTS writing band descriptor means completing the 250 words by presenting proper examples |
| Coherence and Cohesion | Structure and layout are two foremost necessary components of both IELTS band descriptors academic and general training
| Maintaining coherence and cohesion is necessary, especially in IELTS writing. IELTS writing task 1 band descriptors focus on coordinating the facts creating coherence. On the other hand, IELTS writing task 2 band descriptors focus on adhering to the structure of the essay by giving relevant examples and maintaining cohesion. |
| Lexical Resource | This thoroughly focuses on ‘vocabulary’. Enhancing the sentences with vocabulary will instantly bring out the extra hard work. Syncing your vocabulary with the given topic is necessary, for instance, while talking about universities using the term academic will be more suitable | During IELTS speaking band description, using rare vocabulary words will elevate the performance. |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | There is a difference between range and accuracy where the former directs towards simple and compound sentences, active and passive, and more. Whereas the latter concentrates on accuracy and directs toward punctuation, articles, prepositions, and more. | Grammar fluency helps candidates to prepare for IELTS reading and writing task band descriptors |
The overall score is calculated by extracting the average of the scores obtained in the individual sections and rounding it off to the nearest whole digit or half. From the IELTS Writing band descriptors as well as IELTS speaking band descriptors explained above it can be concluded that to secure around 8 band scores, the test-takers need to grind. That’s all about IELTS band descriptors now, it will not be a problem to understand what your IELTS band score means.
FAQs
Ques: What are IELTS band descriptors?
Ans: IELTS band descriptors are detailed descriptions of what each score on the IELTS test, from 1 to 9. It describes your English language proficiency across the four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Ques: Where can I find the official IELTS band descriptors?
Ans: You can find the official IELTS band descriptors on the British Council's or IDP India's website. Check in detail about your band score, and mark the areas where you need improvement.
Ques: How are the IELTS band descriptors used?
Ans: IELTS examiners use the band descriptors to evaluate your performance in each skill area and assign you a band score. This score reflects your ability to understand complex ideas, communicate effectively, and use appropriate vocabulary.
Ques: What does a IELTS band score of 7 mean in speaking?
Ans: A band score of 7 in speaking indicates you have an operational command of the language. You can handle complex situations, though occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings may occur.
Ques: Is a band score of 6 enough for university admission?
Ans: The required IELTS score for university admission varies depending on the institution and program. Generally, a minimum score of 6.0 or above is required for undergraduate studies, while postgraduate programs often require a 6.5 or higher.
Ques: How can I compare my band score to the IELTS band descriptors?
Ans: Carefully read through the descriptions for each band score in each skill area. Think about how well your performance aligns with the descriptions to compare your band score to the descriptors.
Ques: How can band descriptors help me improve my IELTS score?
Ans: By identifying your weaker areas through the band descriptors, you can focus your learning efforts on those specific skills. Take regular practice tests and read customized books to improve your IELTS score
Ques: Do I need to retake the IELTS test if I'm not happy with my band score?
Ans: You can retake IELTS test if you're not happy with your score. However, consider the time and cost involved before deciding to retake it. Utilize practice resources to improve your weaker areas first.
Ques: Is there a different band descriptor for the computer-delivered IELTS test?
Ans: The band descriptors are the same for both the paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS tests. IELTS band scores range on a scale of 0 to 9 band.
Ques: Is 7 band in IELTS good?
Ans: IELTS total score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 band, achieving a score of 7 band shows that you have a good command over the English language. Some of the best universities worldwide accept 7 IELTS bands.
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