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IELTS scores
Understanding and explaining IELTS
scores
The IELTS Test Report Form shows the individual scores your students have achieved in
each of the four parts of the IELTS test, as well as their overall band score. Information about the IELTS test
(/teach-ielts/test-information)
When you receive a Test Report Form you will see your overall test score as well as your
scores for the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections of the test. Choosing the right test for your
students (/teach-ielts/test-
Overall band score information/choose-right-test-
students)
The overall band score is the average of the four section band scores rounded to the
nearest half band. How IELTS is assessed (/teach-
ielts/test-information/assessment)
What do IELTS scores show?
Understand and explain the
IELTS scores (/teach-ielts/test-
The table below shows what each band score means in terms of a student’s skill level. It information/ielts-scores-
also includes a description or narrative that you can share with the student. explained)
How students receive their results
(/teach-ielts/test-
information/results)
Band
Skill level Description
score
Band Expert user You have a full operational command of the
Resources for teaching
9 language. Your use of English is appropriate, IELTS
accurate and fluent, and you show complete We have a range of lesson plans
understanding. for teaching IELTS.
(/teach-ielts/teaching-
Band Very good You have a fully operational command of the resources)
8 user language with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. You may
misunderstand some things in unfamiliar situations.
You handle complex detailed argumentation well.
Band Good user You have an operational command of the language,
7 though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate
usage and misunderstandings in some situations.
Generally you handle complex language well and
understand detailed reasoning.
Band Competent Generally you have an effective command of the
6 user language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriate
usage and misunderstandings. You can use and
understand fairly complex language, particularly in
familiar situations.
Band Modest user You have a partial command of the language, and
5 cope with overall meaning in most situations,
although you are likely to make many mistakes. You
should be able to handle basic communication in
your own field.
Band
Skill level Description
score
Band Limited user Your basic competence is limited to familiar
4 situations. You frequently show problems in
understanding and expression. You are not able to
use complex language.
Band Extremely You convey and understand only general meaning
3 limited user in very familiar situations. There are frequent
breakdowns in communication.
Band Intermittent You have great difficulty understanding spoken and
2 user written English.
Band Non-user You have no ability to use the language except a
1 few isolated words.
Band Did not You did not answer the questions.
0 attempt the
test
IELTS and the Common European Framework (CEFR)
The CEFR is an international standard for describing language ability. It marks an
individual's language skills along a six-mark scale ranging from A1 (beginners) to C2
(advanced). The highest CEFR level in IELTS would be band 9.
You can map your students’ IELTS scores against this framework to help them gauge
their language ability. The CEFR rankings also help other teachers and examiners to
compare IELTS skills and scores with those of other language tests and qualifications.
Mapping IELTS against CEFR
See also
How to prepare your IELTS students (/teach-ielts/prepare-students)
IELTS Results: Access your scores faster than ever (/take-ielts/ielts-results-
scores)
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