Quick Evaluation Overview (TL;DR)
IELTS 9-Band Score & Skill Profile Calculation: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses language proficiency across four individual modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Raw marks out of 40 in Listening and Reading convert into individual Band Scores from 1 to 9. The Overall Band Score is the arithmetic average of the four components rounded to the nearest half-band (e.g. 6.25 rounds up to 6.5, while 6.75 rounds up to 7.0).
Comprehensive Guide to IELTS 9-Band Scoring & Component Conversions
Jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English, IELTS is recognized by over 12,500 organizations worldwide—including immigration authorities in Canada (IRCC), Australia, the UK, and premier global universities.
Raw Score to Band Score Mapping (Listening & Reading)
| Target Band Score | Listening (Out of 40) | Academic Reading (Out of 40) | General Training Reading (Out of 40) | CEFR Framework Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 9.0 (Expert) | 39 – 40 | 39 – 40 | 40 | C2 (Mastery) |
| Band 8.5 | 37 – 38 | 37 – 38 | 39 | C2 (Mastery) |
| Band 8.0 (Very Good) | 35 – 36 | 35 – 36 | 37 – 38 | C1 (Effective Operational) |
| Band 7.5 | 32 – 34 | 33 – 34 | 36 | C1 (Effective Operational) |
| Band 7.0 (Good User) | 30 – 31 | 30 – 32 | 34 – 35 | C1 (Effective Operational) |
| Band 6.5 | 26 – 29 | 27 – 29 | 32 – 33 | B2 (Vantage) |
| Band 6.0 (Competent) | 23 – 25 | 23 – 26 | 30 – 31 | B2 (Vantage) |
| Band 5.5 | 18 – 22 | 19 – 22 | 27 – 29 | B2 (Vantage) |
| Band 5.0 (Modest User) | 16 – 17 | 15 – 18 | 23 – 26 | B1 (Threshold) |
Official IELTS Overall Band Rounding Rules
The overall band score is calculated by taking the average of all four component scores. Specific rounding conventions apply:
- If the average ends in .25, it rounds UP to the next half-band (e.g. average of 6.25 becomes 6.5).
- If the average ends in .75, it rounds UP to the next whole band (e.g. average of 6.75 becomes 7.0).
- If the average ends in .125, it rounds DOWN to the nearest whole band (e.g. average of 6.125 becomes 6.0).
- If the average ends in .375, it rounds DOWN to the nearest half-band (e.g. average of 6.375 becomes 6.5).
IELTS Raw Score to Band Score Conversion Table (Listening & Reading)
| Target Band Score | Academic Listening (out of 40) | Academic Reading (out of 40) | General Training Reading (out of 40) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 9.0 (Expert) | 39 – 40 Marks | 39 – 40 Marks | 40 Marks |
| Band 8.5 (Very Good+) | 37 – 38 Marks | 37 – 38 Marks | 39 Marks |
| Band 8.0 (Very Good) | 35 – 36 Marks | 35 – 36 Marks | 37 – 38 Marks |
| Band 7.5 (Good+) | 32 – 34 Marks | 33 – 34 Marks | 36 Marks |
| Band 7.0 (Good) | 30 – 31 Marks | 30 – 32 Marks | 34 – 35 Marks |
| Band 6.5 (Competent+) | 26 – 29 Marks | 27 – 29 Marks | 32 – 33 Marks |
| Band 6.0 (Competent) | 23 – 25 Marks | 23 – 26 Marks | 30 – 31 Marks |
Overall Band Score Rounding Law
Your overall IELTS band score is the average of your four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The average is rounded to the nearest half or whole band:
- If the average ends in .25, it rounds up to the next half band (e.g., 6.25 rounds to 6.5).
- If the average ends in .75, it rounds up to the next whole band (e.g., 6.75 rounds to 7.0).
- If the average ends in .125, it rounds down to the lower whole band (e.g., 6.125 rounds to 6.0).