IELTS Results: Check and Understand Your IELTS Scores Online, Score Validity, Score Calculation, and Band Descriptors

Bhaskar Das

Oct 9, 2025

Highlights:

  • Receiving your IELTS result depends on your exam format.
  • You can send TRF for free to 5 universities, and an additional TRF will cost INR 250 per university.
  • Collect your TRF in person from IELTS offices, or now you can download e-TRF by logging in to your account.
  • Delivery of Computer-based IELTS test results takes a much shorter time than paper-based exam
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Getting your IELTS result depends on your exam format and exam type. Paper-based IDP IELTS exam results will be delivered 13 days after your exam date, and the computer-based IELTS result time is 3 to 5 days. The time for IELTS test results might vary depending on many factors. To check your IDP Education IELTS test band score, first you must visit the official website, and provide some basic information; your name, surname, date of birth, and your passport or ID number.

IELTS_Results
Source: IDP IELTS
 
If you are planning to study or move to UK, then you must have taken IELTS for UKVI.
  • IELTS academic or general training UKVI results are available 13 days after your test
  • IELTS results for Life Skills results are published after 7 days.
  • There are no passing or failing marks on IDP IELTS test results
  • The overall IELTS test band score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 band.
  • On average, to get admission to some of the top universities worldwide, you need to achieve a 7.5 IELTS band score.

TRF IELTS is a copy of your detailed IELTS test results. You can collect your TRF in person from IELTS offices or download e-TRF by logging in to your account. You can send your results to 5 universities for free while completing your IELTS registration. After receiving your IDP IELTS result, you can send your scores to as many universities or organizations as you want to. The fees of sending additional score reports cost INR 250 per organization.

Which organisations accept IELTS scores?

Choosing IELTS gives you more options for the future. IELTS is accepted by more than 11,500 organisations in over 140 countries. This includes:

  • Universities, schools, training colleges and tertiary institutes
  • Government departments and agencies
  • Professional and industry bodies
  • Companies and employers

What is the IELTS Test Report Form in IELTS Results?

TRF or Test Report Form is an official and detailed copy of your IELTS results or IELTS score card. You can send five IELTS Test Report Forms to five universities for free. You can send additional TRF to as many universities as you want, sending Additional TRF will cost you an extra fee.

  • You will receive only one TRF IELTS or IELTS score card.
  • Only for Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or United Kingdom Border Agency, you will receive two TRF copies.
  • To avail of the two copies of IELTS TRF, you’ll have to provide proof of application to CIC and UKBA.
  • Sending Additional TRF will cost you INR 250 per organization or university.

Sample of Your IELTS Test Report Form:

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Source: IDP IELTS

Will I get my IELTS results faster if I take IELTS on computer?

If you take IELTS on computer, you will receive your results typically within 1 to 5 days after sitting your test. However, if you take IELTS on paper, you will receive your results 13 days after sitting your test.

Will the IELTS test centre send my results to universities overseas?

When booking your IELTS test, you are given the option to have your IELTS results sent up to up to 5 nominated institutions. If you have already taken the test and would like to send your results to a recognising organisation, contact the test centre where you sat your exam. They will be able to help. Note that there may be additional fees for this.

IELTS Test Band Score

Your overall IELTS exam results will range on a scale of 0 to 9 level. IELTS exam pattern has 4 sections; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Each section of IELTS exam score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9, then it’s calculated as the overall score. If you achieve a 6.25 IELTS band then it will be calculated as a 6.50 band, and a score of 6.75 is calculated as a 7 band.

IELTS Listening Score 7.5
IELTS Reading Score 8
IELTS Writing Score 6.5
IELTS Speaking Score 7.0
IELTS total score 7.5
IELTS Score

IELTS Band Score Descriptors

Each band of your IELTS results showcases different skill levels. IELTS band descriptors help the admission councils to understand your English language proficiency. If you achieve an 8 IELTS test band score that describes very good user proficiency. You can refer to the table below to understand your IELTS examination results band score:

Band Skill Level Description
Band 9 Expert User
  • The candidate has a fully operational command of the language.
  • Your use of English is appropriate, accurate, and fluent, and you show complete understanding.
Band 8 Very Good User
  • Have a fully operational command of the language, with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage.
  • The candidate might have misunderstood some of the unfamiliar situations
  • Can handle most of the complex, detailed argumentation well.
Band 7 Good User
  • Have operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings in some situations.
  • The candidate generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Band 6 Competent User
  • Have a good command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate usage, and misunderstandings.
  • Can understand and use reasonably complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5 Modest User
  • Have a partial command of the language and can cope with the overall meaning in most situations.
  • They are likely to make mistakes but can handle basic communication in their field.
Band 4 Limited User
  • Have basic competence limited to familiar situations only. Often have problems in understanding and expressing themselves.
  • They are unable to use complex language and have difficulty in dealing with such words.
Band 3 Extremely Limited User
  • Who conveys and understands general English only, and that too in very familiar situations.
  • Face frequent breakdowns in their conversation.
Band 2 Intermittent User
  • They have great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1 Non-User
  • Candidates cannot use the language except for a few isolated words.
Band 0 Did not attempt the test
  • Did not take the test or have not answered the questions.

How long will it take to get my IELTS result?

No matter how you choose to take your test, you’ll never wait more than two weeks to receive your British Council IELTS result. Please see each test format and the average number of days it takes to receive your score below. 

Test How many days for IELTS results
IELTS Online 6 – 8 days
IELTS on computer 1 – 5 days
IELTS on paper Up to 13 days
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Up to 13 days
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Up to 7 days

Can I retake one section of the test to improve my score?

IELTS One Skill Retake allows you get your desired test score without retaking the full test. If you want to improve your score on one test skill, you can retake any of the four IELTS skills – Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking within 60 days of your original test date.  IELTS One Skill Retake is currently only available for IELTS on Computer bookings. 

IELTS Results Requirement

Good IELTS score varies from country to country and also from university to university. IELTS score is accepted in all English-speaking countries like US, UK, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia for education and also for visas. If you are required to obtain a visa for educational training or professional purposes, you need to submit IELTS general score. You can refer to the lists below to check the country-wise top university IELTS cut-off: Checking ielts result is possible online at IDP IELTS Website.

IELTS Band Score for UK Universities

To get admission in UK for UG or PG courses, you need to submit your English language proficiency scores. IDP India IELTS results for UK vary and depend on your application type. Check the table for IELTS Cutoff for UK Universities:

IELTS Score for UK

IELTS Band Score for USA Universities

USA has some of the top-ranked universities worldwide. Some of the top universities like MIT, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale Universities IELTS scores range on a scale of 7.0 to 7.5 band. You can refer to the list below to check IELTS scores for USA universities:

IELTS Band score for USA

IELTS Band Score for Australian Universities

Your IELTS score for Australia must be more than or equal to 5.5 in all four skills. To get admission to some of the top universities, you need to achieve a 6.5 or higher IELTS band score for Australia. Your IELTS results for Australia are generally valid for 2 years, and only for the Skilled Migration applications, your scores are valid for three years.

IELTS Band Score for Australia

IELTS Score for New Zealand Universities

The universities of New Zealand Academic IELTS results, and some, workplaces, and immigration authorities require the General Training Score. If you are applying for the Skilled Migrant process, you must achieve an overall 6.5 IELTS score for New Zealand. Check IDP Education IELTS results for the top universities in New Zealand:

IELTS band score for NZ

IELTS Score for Canadian Universities

An Overall IELTS academic score of 7 or higher will keep you on the safer side if you are applying for Canada. You need to achieve a minimum of CLB 7, which is a minimum of 6.0 for each section of the IELTS score for Canada. You can refer to the table below to check the top universities IELTS exam results:

On average, IELTS results for the top universities worldwide range on a scale of 6.0 to 6.5 band. IELTS Test Report Form can be sent to intended abroad universities as proof of your English Language Proficiency requirements. Before completing your registration process, check your desired university IELTS test results from their official website.

FAQs

Ques. What time are IELTS results released?

Ans. IELTS results delivery depends on which types of test you have taken. Computer-based IELTS results will be delivered within 3 to 5 days.

Ques. Is 7.5 a bad IELTS score?

Ans. IELTS score ranges on a scale of 0 to 9 level, and achieving a score of 7.5 band is a good score and acceptable by some of the top universities worldwide.

Ques. What is the validity of IELTS test score?

Ans. IELTS scores are usually valid for 2 years, and you must send your score to the universities within this valid time frame. Only for the skilled migration process in Australia, your IELTS results will be valid for 3 years.

Ques. Can I get more than one hard copy of TRF?

Ans. Candidates will receive a hard copy of their Test Report Form, this is included in the exam fee. Ordering more than one Test Report Form will be chargeable to the candidates.

Ques. Is 7 a good score in IELTS?

Ans. Yes, band 7 is considered a ‘good user’ in IELTS scoring. This tells us that the candidate uses the language well but under certain situations, there may be misunderstandings and inaccuracies and he/she may showcase inappropriate usage.

Ques. Is there any limit to the number of attempts in IELTS?

Ans. No, there is no specified limit to the number of attempts one can take at IELTS.

Ques. When can I preview my IELTS Score?

Ans. IELTS results can be previewed online 13 days after the test. Results shall be available online for a period of 28 days. Candidates must note that the online preview of the result can not be considered as an official confirmation of the candidate’s performance.

Ques: What time are IELTS results released?

Ans: IELTS results for paper-based tests are received within 13 days, and computer-based tests within 3–5 days. You can easily download your IELTS results online by logging into your IDP account.

Ques: How do I get my IELTS results?

Ans: Students can log in to IELTS student portal with their respective ID's to check IELTS results. Your result delivery time will depend on which format of IELTS you have taken.

Ques: Do IELTS results come in 3 days?

Ans: Results for IELTS exam taken online are received within 3–5 days, and if you have taken the paper-based exam, your result will be delivered within 13 days.

Ques: Can IELTS result come before 13 days?

Ans: Students who appear for IELTS paper-based exam will receive results after 13 days of appearing.

Ques: Do IELTS results come online?

Ans: Yes, IELTS results come online, and to download your result, you have to log in to your official account and need to provide your basic information with the registration ID number.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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