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What is a good score for IELTS?

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Feb 20,2024 04:17 PM IST

An excellent IELTS score usually ranges from 7 to 9 out of 9, which denotes a high level of English ability. But what makes a decent score can differ depending on personal objectives and what organizations or institutions want. What constitutes a decent score ultimately depends on the particular goal of the test as well as the requirements established by the organization that will be receiving the results.

Wondering what a good score for IELTS is? For the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), it is essential to understand that the definition of "good" can vary depending on individual goals and the requirements of institutions. Generally, a score of 7 or above (out of 9) is considered good, as it indicates a high English proficiency level.

However, specific requirements may differ for different purposes, such as immigration, academic admission, or employment. Ultimately, the definition of a good score on the IELTS depends on its relevance to the test taker's objectives and the standards set by the receiving institution or entity.

What is a Good IELTS Score?

Most international universities will accept applicants with an IELTS Band Score of 7 or higher. However, an IELTS score of seven bands is regarded as good. Candidates should be aware, nevertheless, that raising their IELTS score would only benefit them.

How to Get a Good IELTS Score?

Here are some pointers to help candidates achieve a high IELTS score:

• Before starting their study, candidates must comprehend the exam format and create an appropriate plan that considers their time constraints.

• It is recommended that candidates work on their English language skills. Anyone can achieve this through reading and listening to English-language media, practicing grammar and sentence structure, and increasing their vocabulary.

• Aim to focus on the test's weaker portions and prepare enough mock exams. Ignoring them could make it more challenging to perform on test day. After taking the mock exams, candidates should assess their performance and adjust their study strategies.

How is the IELTS Score Calculated?

IELTS scores range from 0 to 9. The average score for each component computes the overall band score on the IELTS. Every section has an equal-weighted score. The IELTS final result is rounded to the closest whole number. A candidate's score would be rounded to the nearest whole number (6.5 in the case of a 6.25 score and to a whole number (7 in the case of a 6.75 score). The user's skill, described before, can be measured for each score. A candidate is considered a very excellent language user if they earned an 8; conversely, if they scored a 4, they are considered limited language users and may have trouble understanding and using the language.

Internationally, organizations and institutions from English-speaking nations accept IELTS scores. People taking the IELTS exam to immigrate abroad should be aware of what a good score on the exam means, depending on the kind of visa they need. A person's goals for their IELTS score—whether they be academic, professional, or immigration—constitute a significant factor. A score that the college, university, or institute accepts could help an international student obtain a student visa.

Purpose of Taking the Test

Here are some of the major purpose of taking the IELTS test:

University Admissions	For most foreign colleges, a score of 7.0 or higher is often regarded as competitive. Top-tier universities, however, might need more excellent scores—between 7.5 and 8.0. Keep in mind that specific requirements differ based on the program and university.
Immigration	The required IELTS score for visa applications varies throughout nations. To establish the benchmark, investigate the particular specifications of the intended nation.
Professional Development	Some employers may have their cutoff points for IELTS scores when hiring multilingual individuals. Look into what is needed to enter the desired industry or position.

IELTS Band Scores

Understanding IELTS band scores is necessary before determining an IELTS good score. The IELTS exam has a score range of 0 to 9. The table below provides information about each band's competence level. Worldwide, corporations have faith in IELTS scores. Their IELTS band scores determine candidates' English language proficiency. It indicates proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing English.

To help candidates better comprehend the IELTS result, here’s detailed information about the various Band scores given below.

IELTS Band Score	Skill Level	Description
9	Expert	Proficient user and possess a functional command of the language. The candidate can speak and write English accurately and with fluency.
8	Very good	An expert user who possesses a functional mastery of the English language.
7	Good	A proficient user with a vital mastery of the English language, despite the odd error.
6	Competent user	A capable person with a vital mastery of the language yet with occasional errors and improper use of it in specific contexts.
5	Modest user	Moderate users who can manage basic conversation in their field and have a limited mastery of the language
4	Limited user	Limited user who only understands the language in conditions they are comfortable with.
3	Extremely limited user	When there are frequent communication failures, candidates only grasp the gist of circumstances that he/she is familiar with.
2	Intermittent	The test-taker needs help comprehending written and spoken English.
1	Non user	The exam taker can only utilize English for a few select terms.
0	Did not attempt	The test taker did not answer the questions.

IELTS Scoring for Different Sections

The IELTS exam pattern consists of 4 different sections, including Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking; each of the 40 questions in the Reading and Listening portions can result in a maximum score of 40. The IELTS administrator converts the raw scores to the band score before awarding the marks. Different band descriptions have been provided for the Speaking and Writing components of the IELTS exam. The combined score from these two areas will be the average of these descriptions.

The band descriptions for the Writing component are task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. The band descriptions for the Speaking part are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical variety and correctness, and pronunciation.

IELTS Scores Validity

Candidates need to know that their IELTS scores are good for two years. However, the IELTS results have a three-year validity period for applications for skilled migration. While the general validity is 2 years, certain institutions might have different requirements.

*For immigration purposes in Australia, IELTS scores remain valid for 3 years.

Conclusion

A strong IELTS score varies based on personal objectives, educational institutions' or immigration policies, and visa rules. For most purposes, a score of seven or higher is regarded as satisfactory; however, a score of eight or higher is frequently preferred for competitive programs or scholarships. As a trustworthy educational consulting company, Canam can assist prospective test-takers in studying abroad and reaching their goals by offering them tools and advice specific to their needs and efficient study methods.

FAQ

Can I retake IELTS writing only?

Any one of the IELTS test sections—Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking can be retaken.

Is 6.5 a good score in IELTS?

The score band of 6.5 is considered as competent and is borderline B2/C1

Is IELTS 7 low?

The seven bands have a "Good" skill rating, which denotes "Excellent use of the language in some situations."

Is PTE easier than IELTS?

Aside from variations in the structure and style of assessment, both tests are relatively straightforward.

What is a fail score in IELTS?

In IELTS, there is no pass/fail score. Every test-taking performance is evaluated, and candidates receive a score between 1 and 9.

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What is a good score for IELTS?

Table of Contents

What is a Good IELTS Score?

How to Get a Good IELTS Score?

How is the IELTS Score Calculated?

Purpose of Taking the Test

IELTS Band Scores

IELTS Scoring for Different Sections

IELTS Scores Validity

Conclusion

FAQ

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