What is the IELTS Exam?
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognized test to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers. It’s often required for:
- Studying abroad (universities in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, or the US often ask for IELTS scores).
- Immigration (some countries, like Canada or Australia, require IELTS for visa applications).
- Professional purposes (e.g., doctors or nurses may need it to work in English-speaking countries).
The test evaluates four skills:
- Listening (30 minutes): You listen to recordings and answer 40 questions.
- Reading (60 minutes): You read passages and answer 40 questions.
- Writing (60 minutes): You complete two writing tasks (e.g., describing a chart and writing an essay).
- Speaking (11–14 minutes): You have a face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Each section is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9 (e.g., 6.5, 7, 8). The overall band score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest 0.5.
Why Are There Two Types of IELTS Tests?
The IELTS has two versions because people take the test for different purposes, and the test is tailored to suit those needs:
- Academic IELTS:
- Purpose: For students who want to study at universities or colleges in English-speaking countries.
- Reading Section: The reading passages are more academic in nature (e.g., articles, research papers, or textbook excerpts). These are harder because they use complex vocabulary and concepts.
- Writing Section: Task 1 asks you to describe a chart, graph, or diagram (common in academic settings), and Task 2 is an essay.
- Who Takes It?: Students applying for undergraduate or postgraduate programs.
- General Training IELTS:
- Purpose: For people seeking to immigrate, work, or train in an English-speaking country.
- Reading Section: The reading passages are more practical and everyday-focused (e.g., advertisements, notices, or newspaper articles). These are generally easier than the Academic version.
- Writing Section: Task 1 is a letter (e.g., writing to a friend or a company), and Task 2 is an essay.
- Who Takes It?: Immigrants applying for visas, or professionals seeking work opportunities.
Understanding the IELTS Scoring System
The IELTS scoring system can seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s actually pretty straightforward once you break it down. Here’s how it works:
Band Scores (0–9)
Each section of the IELTS (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9, with 0.5 increments (e.g., 6.5, 7, 8). Here’s what the band scores generally mean:
- 9: Expert user (native-like proficiency).
- 8: Very good user (excellent command with occasional errors).
- 7: Good user (operational command, some inaccuracies).
- 6: Competent user (can handle basic communication).
- 5 and below: Limited to very limited user (struggles with complex language).
How Each Section is Scored
- Listening and Reading: These sections have 40 questions each. Your raw score (number of correct answers out of 40) is converted to a band score using a conversion table. The conversion differs slightly for Academic and General Training Reading because the difficulty levels vary.
- Writing and Speaking: These are scored by examiners based on specific criteria:
- Writing: Task achievement, coherence, vocabulary, grammar.
- Speaking: Fluency, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation. You’ll get a band score (0–9) directly for these sections.
Overall Band Score
Your overall IELTS band score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5. For example:
- Listening: 7
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6
- Speaking: 7
- Average: (7 + 6.5 + 6 + 7) / 4 = 6.625
- Overall Band Score: 6.5 (rounded to the nearest 0.5)
How IELTS Score Calculation Works
Let’s break down the score calculation for each section, using the official IELTS scoring bands as a guide.
Listening Score Calculation
The Listening section is the same for both Academic and General Training. Here’s how raw scores (out of 40) convert to band scores:
- 39–40 correct: 9
- 37–38 correct: 8.5
- 35–36 correct: 8
- 32–34 correct: 7.5
- 30–31 correct: 7
- 26–29 correct: 6.5
- 23–25 correct: 6
- 18–22 correct: 5.5
- 16–17 correct: 5
- 13–15 correct: 4.5
- 10–12 correct: 4
For example, if you get 30 correct answers, your Listening band score is 7.
Reading Score Calculation
The Reading section differs between Academic and General Training.
Academic Reading
- 39–40 correct: 9
- 37–38 correct: 8.5
- 35–36 correct: 8
- 33–34 correct: 7.5
- 30–32 correct: 7
- 27–29 correct: 6.5
- 23–26 correct: 6
- 19–22 correct: 5.5
- 15–18 correct: 5
- 13–14 correct: 4.5
- 10–12 correct: 4
General Training Reading
- 40 correct: 9
- 39 correct: 8.5
- 37–38 correct: 8
- 36 correct: 7.5
- 34–35 correct: 7
- 32–33 correct: 6.5
- 30–31 correct: 6
- 27–29 correct: 5.5
- 23–26 correct: 5
- 19–22 correct: 4.5
- 15–18 correct: 4
For example, if you’re taking the Academic test and get 28 correct answers in Reading, your band score is 6.5. If you’re taking General Training and get 28 correct, your band score is 5.5.
Writing and Speaking
These sections don’t have raw scores. Instead, examiners assign a band score based on your performance. If you’re practicing, you might get feedback from a teacher or use sample band descriptors to estimate your score.
Tips to Improve Your IELTS Score
Now that you know how to calculate your IELTS score, let’s talk about how to improve it. Here are some practical tips for each section:
Listening
- Practice with Real Audio: Listen to podcasts, news, or IELTS practice recordings to get used to different accents.
- Focus on Keywords: Pay attention to keywords in the questions to catch the right answers.
- Time Management: Don’t spend too long on one question—move on and come back if you have time.
Reading
- Skim and Scan: Learn to quickly skim passages for the main idea and scan for specific details.
- Practice Different Question Types: Familiarize yourself with true/false, matching, and gap-fill questions.
- Build Vocabulary: The more words you know, the easier it’ll be to understand passages.
Writing
- Plan Your Answers: Spend 2–3 minutes planning your essay or letter before you start writing.
- Use a Clear Structure: For essays, use an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Practice Grammar and Vocabulary: Avoid repetitive words and use a mix of simple and complex sentences.
Speaking
- Practice Speaking Daily: Talk to yourself, a friend, or a tutor in English to build fluency.
- Expand Your Answers: Don’t just say “yes” or “no”—explain your thoughts with examples.
- Work on Pronunciation: Record yourself and listen for clarity and intonation.
Key Difference: The main difference between the two is in the Reading and Writing Task 1 sections. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both tests.
Common IELTS Score Requirements
Different institutions and countries have different IELTS score requirements. Here are some general benchmarks:
- University Admission: Most universities require an overall band score of 6.5–7, with no section below 6.
- Immigration (e.g., Canada Express Entry): A score of 6–7 overall is often required, depending on the program.
- Professional Registration: Some professions (e.g., nursing in the UK) may require a 7 in each section.
Use the IELTS Score Calculator to see if your practice scores meet your target!
