What is a Good Score on IELTS?

Considering the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)? A strong IELTS score is essential for admission to many academic institutions and professional programs. The specific score requirement varies depending on the institution and program, so it's crucial to consult the institution's guidelines to determine the minimum score needed. An IELTS band score of 7.0 or higher is generally considered a strong score and can open doors to many international universities and professional programs. Obtaining a higher score can always enhance an applicant's prospects. But how do you know the score is good? This guide will delve into the scoring system for each IELTS section and offer valuable tips to help you achieve your target score.

Why Should You Aim for a Good IELTS Score?

For admission to universities abroad, meeting the required IELTS score is essential. Each country sets its own minimum score requirements. For example, prestigious universities in the USA, such as Harvard and Stanford, typically require a score of 7.0 or higher. In the UK, top institutions like Oxford and Cambridge often expect a score of 7.5 or above. In Canada and Australia, an IELTS score of 6.5 to 7.0 is usually needed for entry into leading universities. Based on the official IELTS score information, the following remains the final criteria when it comes to your overall English proficiency. The band is calculated as per the total average scores earned in each section. 

• Band 9: Expert user.
• Band 8: Very good user.
• Band 7: Good user.
• Band 6: Competent user.
• Band 5: Modest user.
• Band 4: Limited user.
• Band 3: Extremely limited user.
• Band 2: Intermittent user.
• Band 1: Non-user
• Band 0: Did not attempt the test

What Makes a Good IELTS Score: Section-wise Scores Calculation

Listening Test Scoring System

The IELTS Listening test has four parts, each with ten questions. You get one point for every correct answer, so the highest score is 40. This raw score is then converted to a band score on a scale of one to nine, with half-point increments, using the official IELTS conversion table. IELTS Listening score table converter

Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score)	IELTS Listening band score
39-40	9
37-38	8.5
35-36	8
32-34	7.5
30-31	7
26-29	6.5
23-25	6
18-22	5.5
16-17	5
13-15	4.5
11-12	4

Reading Test Scoring System

The IELTS Reading test consists of 40 questions, each carrying one mark. The total raw score is subsequently converted to a band score ranging from one to nine, with half-point increments. Both the Academic and General Training modules use the same scoring system, even though the types of texts are different. The Academic Reading test often features more complex texts and vocabulary. Consequently, achieving a specific band score might necessitate answering more questions correctly in the General Training Reading test compared to the Academic Reading test.

Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score) READING (AC)	Number of correct answers out of 40 (Raw Score) READING (GT)	IELTS Reading band score
39 - 40	40	9.0
37 - 38	39	8.5
35 - 36	37 -38	8.0
33 - 34	36	7.5
30 - 32	34 -35	7.0
27 - 29	32 - 33	6.5
23 - 26	30 - 31	6.0
19 - 22	27 - 29	5.5
15 - 18	23 - 26	5.0
13 - 14	19 - 22	4.5
10 - 12	15 - 18	4.0
8 -9	12 - 14	3.5
6 - 7	9 - 11	3.0
4 - 5	6 - 8	2.5
3	4 - 5	2.0

Writing Test Scoring System

The IELTS Writing test evaluates your ability to produce both academic and general English texts. Examiners score your writing based on four main criteria:

1. Task Achievement (Task 1) / Task Response (Task 2): This criterion measures how effectively you fulfil the task requirements. It involves assessing whether you have answered the question properly, provided relevant information, and presented your ideas clearly.
2. Coherence and Cohesion: This aspect examines the logical flow of your writing. It looks at how well your ideas are connected, the use of linking words, and the overall clarity and structure of your text.
3. Lexical Resource: This is all about your word power! It checks if you know a lot of words and if you use them correctly
4. Grammatical Range & Accuracy: This tests your grammatical prowess including assessing sentence structure, verb tenses, and overall grammatical precision.

Each task (Task 1 and Task 2) is scored separately, and the overall band score for the Writing section is the average of these two scores. Task 2, usually an essay, has a greater impact on the final score as it carries more weight in the overall evaluation.

Speaking Test Scoring System

The IELTS Speaking test is evaluated based on four key assessment criteria, each contributing equally to the final band score. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what each criterion entails:

1. Fluency and Coherence:
   • This criterion assesses your ability to speak smoothly and without unnecessary pauses. It measures how well you can maintain a natural flow of conversation, logically organize your ideas, and connect your thoughts using appropriate linking words and phrases. Examiners look for clear and structured responses that tell whether or not you are able to convey your ideas concisely. 

1. Lexical Resource:
   • Lexical resource refers to your range and accuracy in using vocabulary. Examiners evaluate your ability to use a wide variety of words and expressions appropriately, including the use of less common or more advanced vocabulary when needed. They also consider your ability to use synonyms, paraphrase effectively, and handle any errors that might affect the meaning of your speech. 
2. Grammatical Accuracy:
   • This checks how well you use grammar and how accurate your grammar is. Examiners look for your ability to construct sentences of varying complexity, including simple, compound, and complex sentences. They assess how accurately you use tenses, verb forms, and sentence structures, as well as your ability to minimize grammatical errors.

1. Pronunciation:
   • Pronunciation is assessed based on your ability to produce clear and understandable speech. Examiners focus on your ability to pronounce individual sounds correctly, use stress and intonation appropriately, and maintain a natural rhythm while speaking. Pronunciation errors that cause misunderstandings can negatively impact your score, while clear and accurate pronunciation can help demonstrate your English proficiency.

Each skill is graded separately, and your final Speaking score is the average of these grades. Since all skills matter equally, it's important to do well in all of them to get a high score.

FAQs

Is IELTS 6.5 a good score? A 6.5 band score in IELTS is generally considered a good score. It indicates a solid level of English proficiency, sufficient for most academic and professional settings. Is it hard to get 6.0 in IELTS? Typically, it takes about 1-2 months to achieve a band score of 6.0. However, reaching a band score of 7.0 may require 8-12 months of dedicated preparation, especially if your target score is 7.0 in each sub-skill. Does Harvard accept 6.5 IELTS? Yes, Harvard accepts a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS Academic test.

Conclusion

In general, a good IELTS score is one of the key criteria for university admission for international students, although it is not the sole factor determining acceptance. While a score of 6.5 to 7.0 is adequate for many reputable universities, top-tier institutions worldwide usually prefer scores of 7.0 or above to increase an applicant's chances of admission. All in all, it is all based on what your institute demands which ultimately labels your IELTS score as GOOD.  For more information, contact our experts at Landmark Immigration.