IELTS Band Score Calculator: How to Calculate Your IELTS Score

You just finished your IELTS exam. You think you did okay, maybe even great!

But when the results come in, you’re staring at a number, wondering… 

Wait, how did they even calculate this?

Did that one tricky listening question mess up your score?

Does 6.75 round up or down?

And why does speaking feel so subjective? 

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone.

IELTS scoring isn’t just about right or wrong answers. It follows a structured system that determines where you land on the band scale. In this blog, we’ll break it down so you know exactly how your score is calculated and what it means for your study or immigration plans.

How Is the IELTS Band Score Calculated?

The IELTS score is calculated by averaging all four sections (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), each scored on a 0 to 9 band scale.

Understanding how your IELTS band score is calculated can save you from unnecessary surprises on the result day. 

But here's the catch: IELTS uses a rounding system. 

If your average score ends in .25, it rounds up to the next half band, and if it’s .75, it rounds up to the next whole number.

For example, 6.25 will be taken as 6.5. Similarly, for 6.75, it is 7.0, and for 6.1, it will be 6.0.

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive deeper into the section-wise breakdown of the IELTS band score so you can estimate your performance and work towards your target score with confidence!

To enhance your IELTS preparation, book a call with Yocket Prep experts for personalized advice, expert tips, and tailored strategies.

IELTS Band Score Chart: Section-wise

Your final IELTS score is an average of these four section scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5 or whole band. This means that even a slight improvement in one section can boost your overall score. Knowing the section-wise band score chart will help you analyze your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus on areas that need improvement.

IELTS Listening Band Score

The IELTS Listening test consists of 40 questions, and your score is based on the number of correct answers. There is no negative marking, so every correct response counts! Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted into a band score as follows:

IELTS Reading Band Score 

Like Listening, the Reading section also has 40 questions, but the scoring differs slightly between Academic and General Training IELTS. Academic Reading tends to be more difficult, while in General Training Reading, the conversion is slightly more lenient, meaning you can get a lower raw score for the same band.

Here’s the academic reading band score conversion:

IELTS Writing Band Score 

Unlike listening and reading, writing is subjectively assessed based on four key criteria, each carrying 25% weight. Each criterion is rated from 0 to 9, and the average of these scores determines your writing band score. 

• Task Achievement/Response: How well you address the question

• Coherence & Cohesion: Logical structure and flow of ideas

• Lexical Resource: Range and accuracy of vocabulary

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Use of complex sentence structures and correct grammar

IELTS Speaking Band Score 

Your speaking test is evaluated based on the following criteria, each contributing 25% to the final score as above.

• Fluency & Coherence: Speaking naturally without long pauses

• Lexical Resource: Using varied and appropriate vocabulary for IELTS

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Correct grammar and sentence structures

• Pronunciation: Clear pronunciation and correct stress/intonation

Suggested: IELTS Score Validity

What Does the IELTS Band Score Mean?

Now that we’ve broken down the section-wise IELTS scoring, let’s understand what your overall band score signifies. 

The IELTS band scale ranges from 0 to 9, and each score represents a different level of English proficiency. Universities, employers, and immigration authorities use this score to assess your language ability. Different universities and organizations have specific IELTS score requirements, so always check the minimum band score needed for your application! 

Remember, the higher your band score, the better your English skills and the greater your chance of getting approved by the relevant authorities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what each IELTS band score means:

From the Desk of Yocket

Scoring well in the IELTS exam isn’t just about understanding English. It’s about knowing how the scoring system works and using the right strategies to maximize your band score. At Yocket Prep, we provide expert guidance, practice tests, and personalized feedback to help you achieve your target IELTS score with confidence.

Whether you're struggling with writing coherence, speaking fluency, or listening concentration, our structured study plans and mentor feedback will ensure you're fully prepared for the test. Join thousands of students who have improved their scores with Yocket Prep expert resources and mock tests!