IELTS Listening Score: Band Score, Score Calculator, Score Chart, and Score for Top Universities
Highlights:
Band System: IELTS listening band score ranges from 0 (no user) to 9 (expert user).
Understanding Band Levels: Each band level signifies a specific level of English comprehension ability.
A Good Score: A 7.5 IELTS listening band score signifies good to very good listening skills, allowing you to follow fast-paced speech and grasp details.
Raw Scores: You won't receive the raw number of correct answers out of 40 questions on your official IELTS listening results.
IELTS listening score is calculated on a scale of 0–9 bands. Understanding how the listening score is calculated and the different band levels is crucial. There's no single mark for the listening test. The test consists of 40 questions, and each correct answer contributes to your overall IELTS listening band score. The raw score is then converted into a band score using a complex system. You won't receive the raw score on your official results. Each band level signifies in terms of your English comprehension abilities. Achieving a 7.0 or higher IELTS band score in listening is required for top-ranked universities.
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Listening Band Score Chart
IELTS Listening score calculator overlooks the number of correct attempts to derive the total listening band score. This section comprises a total of 40 questions that are credited with one mark each. The total number of correct answers received out of 40 are converted into IELTS listening band scores on a scale of 0-9. No negative marking is there in IELTS academic listening score and IELTS general listening score. IELTS listening score chart is completely based on the correct number of answers converted into a 9 band scale. Listening and reading band score is assessed by certified experts who have extensive knowledge and teaching experience. The conducting bodies regularly assess their competence to establish their validity. A listening band score list has been provided below to calculate the listening band score chart academic and general listening band score:
| RAW SCORE | IELTS BAND SCORE |
|---|---|
| 39- 40 | 9 |
| 37- 38 | 8.5 |
| 35- 36 | 8 |
| 32- 34 | 7.5 |
| 30- 31 | 7 |
| 26- 29 | 6.5 |
| 23- 25 | 6 |
| 18- 22 | 5.5 |
| 16- 17 | 5 |
| 13- 15 | 4.5 |
| 11- 12 | 4 |
Points to be noted after studying the above IELTS listening score table:
- The above IELTS listening band score chart states how the band score decreases with lower raw scores.
- Candidates always need to aim for higher band scores like IELTS 6.5 and higher to secure admission to the topmost universities.
- Candidates need to focus on accurate grammar, and spelling while transferring their answers after listening to the record.
- Candidates need to focus on time management while answering questions to help improve their listening score band.
- Candidates can follow the table for both IELTS academic listening score chart and IELTS general training
IELTS Listening Score Calculator
IELTS Listening score calculator overlooks the number of correct attempts to derive at the total listening band chart. This section comprises a total of 40 questions that are credited with one mark each. The total number of correct answers received out of 40 are converted into IELTS listening band score on a scale of 0-9. No negative marking is there in IELTS academic listening score and IELTS general listening score. A listening band score list has been provided below in the sub-sections:
IELTS Listening Band Score Descriptors
Candidates need to focus on increasing their IELTS listening score to successfully get admission to colleges. Candidates will get to know about their performance by studying IELTS listening band score chart below:
| Band | Skill Level |
|---|---|
| Band 0 | Did not attempt the test |
| Band 1 | Non-user |
| Band 2 | Intermittent user |
| Band 3 | Extremely limited user |
| Band 4 | Limited user |
| Band 5 | Modest user |
| Band 6 | Competent user |
| Band 7 | Good user |
| Band 8 | Very good user |
| Band 9 | Expert user |
From the above IELTS listening score card it can be stated that a score of 7 and above means the candidate has good listening skills. Since both academic and IELTS general listening score is similarly marked, candidates can follow the above table for any of the exam types.
IELTS Listening Score for Top Universities
IELTS listening scores for universities range from 6.5 to almost 8.5. IELTS listening band score academic list of top universities help candidates understand the range of score they need to aim for. Here is the overall listening band score IELTS cutoff for the top-ranked universities:
| Top Universities | IELTS Listening Score |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 7.5 |
| MIT | 7.0 |
| California Institute of Technology | 7 (overall) |
| Princeton University | 7 (overall) |
| Yale University | 7 (overall) |
| University of Chicago | 6 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 6.5 minimum |
| John Hopkins University | 7 and above |
| University of Toronto | 6 |
| University of British Columbia | 6 |
| McGill University | 6.5 (overall |
| Oxford University | 7 |
| University of Edinburgh | 7 |
| University College, London | 6.5 |
| University of Cambridge | 7 |
| Imperial College, London | 6.5 |
| King’s College, London | 6.5 |
| Brown University | 7.0 (Overall) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 7.5 (Overall) |
| Columbia University | 7.0 (Overall) |
| Cornell University | 7.5 (Overall) |
| Duke University | 7.0 (Overall) |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 7.5 (Overall) |
| Johns Hopkins University | 7.0 (Overall) |
| New York University | 7.0 (Overall) |
| Northwestern University | 7.5 (Overall) |
Most of the top universities require an IELTS listening score of 7 and above. Candidates need to prepare IELTS listening tips that help them in building proper skills.
IELTS Listening Practice Papers
The best preparation method to improve IELTS listening reading band score is to practice sample questions every day. Practicing from IELTS listening practice papers will help candidates to understand their weak points and build them as well. Below are some of IELTS listening practice papers to help candidates during their preparation:
Provided below are some samples of IELTS listening test. It contains answers along with appropriate explanations.
- Conversation Between Customer and Travel Agent About Booking Flight to Toronto Listening Answers
- A Lecture About A Crater In Australia Listening Answers
- Job Hunting Listening Answers
- Jane and Sally discussing Janes preparations for Abroad tour Listening Answers
- A Conversation between Two Students deciding on a Course Listening Answers
- A Conversation between a Housing Officer and a Student Listening Answers
- Turtles Listening Answers
- Central Cinema Lost Property Form Listening Answers
- A Lecture on the Great Barrier Reef IELTS Listening Answers
- A Lecture On Earth Sciences Listening Answers
- A Monologue By Dr. Jespersen About Children’s Language Acquisition Listening Answers
- Monologue on Scholarship and Funding Listening Answers
- A Conversation About Cell Phone Packages Listening Answers
- A Telephone Conversation Between a Receptionist and a Student About the Upcoming Architecture Conference Listening Answers
- A Monologue on the Social History of the East End of London Listening Answers
- Lecture About Customer Psychology Listening Answers
- Monologue about Preventive Medicine Listening Answers
- A Telephone Conversation about House Facilities Listening Answers
FAQs
Ques: How much is a 6.5 in IELTS listening?
Ans: IELTS listening score isn't a raw number like a percentage. A 6.5 band score indicates competent listening skills. You can understand the general meaning of complex lectures on both familiar and unfamiliar topics.
Ques: What is a 7.5 in listening IELTS?
Ans: A 7.5 band score in IELTS listening signifies good to very good listening skills. You can follow extended speech at a fast pace and understand both the general meaning and detail, even in areas of specialized interest. This score is generally considered strong for many university admissions.
Ques: What are the full marks for the IELTS listening test?
Ans: There's no single "mark" for the listening test. The test consists of 40 questions, and each correct answer contributes to your overall band score. The raw score is then converted into a band score using a complex system. You won't receive the raw score on your official results.
Ques: How do I improve my IELTS listening?
Ans: Listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or watching movies/shows with subtitles, practice active listening skills, and focus on understanding the main points and key details. Take regular practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and question types.
Ques: How can I get an 8.5 in IELTS listening?
Ans: Achieving an 8.5 band score requires exceptional listening skills. In addition to the strategies, consider enrolling in a dedicated IELTS listening course or working with a tutor for personalized feedback.
Ques: How can I calculate my listening score?
Ans: You cannot calculate your listening score yourself. IELTS uses a complex system to convert raw scores/number of correct answers to band scores.
Ques: What is the trick for listening in IELTS?
Ans: Focusing on understanding the main ideas and anticipating what information might be relevant based on question types can be helpful strategies.
Ques: Which is the most difficult section in IELTS listening?
Ans: The difficulty level can vary depending on the specific topics and speaker accents in each test. However, some find part 4 with longer lectures and more complex information, to be more challenging.
Ques: What is the most common spelling mistake in IELTS listening?
Ans: There's no specific spelling mistake related to the listening section. The listening test focuses on spoken English, like your pronunciation and choices of words.
Ques: How can I prepare for the IELTS listening test?
Ans: Utilize official IELTS resources like practice tests and sample questions. Develop effective note-taking techniques, and consider enrolling in a prep course or working with a tutor for additional support.
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