A to Z about IELTS
‣ Band Scores & Descriptors
Multi-level
IELTS is a multi-level exam. You get a score between 1 and 9 for each section. Half scores such as 6.5 are possible. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections.
IELTS Listening marking schemes
For the listening test, which contains 40 questions, the approximate band scores can be calculated using this table.
IELTS General Reading marking schemes
For the general reading test, which contains 40 questions, the approximate band scores can be calculated using this table.
IELTS Academic Reading marking schemes
For the academic reading test, which also contains 40 questions, but is more difficult, the approximate band scores can be calculated using this table.
IELTS Writing marking schemes
The two writing questions are marked out of 9 according to the following criteria:
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Task Achievement (for Task 1), Task Response (for Task 2)
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Coherence and Cohesion
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Lexical Resource
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy
IELTS Task 1 Band descriptors IELTS Task 2 Band descriptors
IELTS Speaking marking schemes
The speaking test is also marked out of 9 according to the following criteria:
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Fluency and coherence
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Lexical resource
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Grammatical range and accuracy
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Pronunciation
IELTS Speaking Band descriptors
Comparison of CEF levels and scores for the various exams
The following gives an approximate comparison between the different exams. The exams all use the Common European Framework of References (CEFR) proficiency levels.
A2
Cambridge English Key 120-139
PTE General Level 1
PTE Academic 30-42
IELTS 2-3.5
TOEIC Listening & Reading 225
TOEIC Speaking & Writing 160
B1
Cambridge English Key 140-150
Cambridge English Preliminary (PET) 130-159
B1 Business Preliminary
IELTS 4-5.5
TOEFL iBT 42-71
TOEIC Listening & Reading 550
TOEIC Speaking & Writing 240
PTE General Level 2
PTE Academic 43-58
Trinity ISE I
B2
Cambridge English First (FCE) 160-179
Cambridge English Preliminary (PET) 160-170
B2 Business Vantage
IELTS 5.5-6
TOEFL iBT 72-94
TOEIC Listening & Reading 785
TOEIC Speaking & Writing 310
Michigan ECCE
PTE General Level 3
PTE Academic 59-75
Trinity ISE II
C1
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) 180-199
Cambridge English First (FCE) 180-190
C1 Business Higher
IELTS 6.5-7.5
TOEFL iBT 95-120
TOEIC Listening & Reading 945
TOEIC Speaking & Writing 360
PTE General Level 4
PTE Academic 76-85
C2
Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) 200-210
IELTS 8-9
Michigan ECPE
PTE General Level 5
PTE Academic 85+
