IELTS score scale 2023 and how to score IELTS 4 skills correctly

IELTS (IELTS Band Scores)is always something that candidates care and pay attention to. Because this scale will help you know the detailed score of each skill (Listening - Speaking - Reading - Writing) and the overall score(IELTS Overall). IELTS has two testformats: IELTS Academic (IELTS Academic)and IELTS Non-Academic(IELTS General Training). Therefore, each form will also have different scoring sections. Specifically, how to calculatethe total IELTS band score as well as each skill? Let's find out with DOL through the article below!

1. IELTS Overall score calculation and rounding convention

Overall IELTS score is calculated on a scale of 1 - 9. The overall score of the test is calculated based on the average score of 4 skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Scores for each section and overall score will be indicated on the results report.

The convention for rounding IELTS Overall scores:

• The odd number of points after averaging 0.25 is rounded up to 0.5.
• The odd number of points after averaging is 0.5, then it stays the same.
• The odd number of points after averaging is 0.75 rounded up to 1.

Eg:

• If the score of Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.0 and . Listening 6.0, your Overall score will be (6.5 + 6.5 + 6.0 + 6.0) ÷ 4 = 6.25, rounded to 6.5.
• If you score in Reading 7.0, Writing 7.5, Speaking 7.5 and Listening 8.0, your Overall score will be (7.0 + 7.5 + 7.5 + 8.0) ÷ 4 = 7.5, stay at 7.5.
• If you score in Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 6.0 and Listening 7.0, your Overall score will be (7.0 + 7.0 + 6.0 + 7.0) ÷ 4 = 6.75, rounded to 7.0.

IELTS Overall band score is calculated based on the average of 4 skills

There are two types of IELTS test: Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS . Each type of IELTS test will also have a different scoring method.

2. IELTS Listening and IELTS Reading Score Scales

The IELTS Listening and IELTS Reading sections both have 40 questions. For each correct answer, the candidate gets 1 point. The maximum score for each section is 40 points. The total score of the test is converted to the IELTS scale from 1.0 - 9.0 and rounded to 0.5.

The content of the Academic test (academic IELTS) is more specialized in terms of grammar and vocabulary knowledge than the content of the General Training (non-academic IELTS) . Therefore, the number of correct answers of the IELTS General Training test will be more than that of the IELTS Academic test.

The conversion table below will give you specific information about the number of correct answers and the corresponding total score. You can see that the IELTS Reading and Listening scores are calculated differently:

IELTS Listening Band and IELTS Reading Band Conversion Benchmark in 2022

Note:

• Although the questions in the exam have been carefully selected, there is still a difference in the difficulty of the tests.
• IELTS scores when converted will change for each test to ensure fairness for test takers. For example, the same test result is 7 but there will be a difference in the number of correct answers for each different test.

3. IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing Scales

In the IELTS test , IELTS Speaking and Writing band scores are calculated based on certain criteria. So what are the criteria? Read the following lines with DOL to update the IELTS Speaking and Writing scoring criteria!

3.1 IELTS Speaking Scale

Speaking is one of the four important skills of the IELTS test. The speaking test in both Academic and General Training formats is the same in terms of content and test time (about 11-14 minutes). The maximum IELTS score for the Speaking section will be based on the following criteria: 

• Fluency And Coherence: Fluency and Coherence (25% of the total score)
• Pronunciation: Pronunciation skill (25% of total score)
• Lexical Resource: Vocabulary (25% of the total score)
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Grammar (25% of the total score)

For the Speaking test, candidates will be directly chatted by the judges, then based on the above criteria to mark and give a final overall score.

IELTS Speaking Band Score

Below is a detailed description of the IELTS Speaking scoring criteria for each specific score level. Please read with DOL to learn:

Detailed description of IELTS Speaking assessment criteria on a scale of 0 - 5

Detailed description of IELTS Speaking assessment criteria on a scale of 6 - 9

You can learn more about the assessment criteria for the IELTS Speaking section of BC, IDP,... in the following documents:

3.2 IELTS Writing Scale

Task 1 of General Training will be simpler than Academic. Specifically, for IELTS General Training, candidates are required to write a letter in different formats, referring to problems in daily life.

For IELTS Academic, the test will provide a chart or map and ask candidates to report the data. In Task 2, both forms are similar in form and content.

The IELTS Writing band score of both IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic test forms is calculated based on 4 criteria as follows:

• Task Achievement: Complete correctly, meet the requirements for task 1 & answer all requirements for Task 2 (accounting for 25% of the total score)
• Coherence And Cohesion: Coherence and connections between sentences and paragraphs (25% of the total score)
• Lexical Resource: Vocabulary used by candidates in the article (accounting for 25% of the total score)
• Grammar: Is the grammar in the article used correctly and reasonably (accounting for 25% of the total score)

IELTS Writing band score evaluation criteria

Below is the IELTS Writing score sheet from 0 - 9.0, please read for details:

See more about the IELTS Writing scoring criteria of IDP, BC,... in the document below:

4. Assess English ability through IELTS test results

The score of each skill in the 4 test skills is also evaluated based on the IELTS scale from 1.0 to 9.0, specifically about how to score and how to convert to English proficiency as follows:

• 0 points - Quit the test: Candidates who miss the exam, have no test information to score, will be defaulted to 0 points.
• 1 point - Can't use English: For candidates who only know some simple words or don't know how to use English.
• 2 points - Poor: English communication is not good and difficult, only able to use short sentence structures and simple vocabulary to describe.
• 3 points - Extremely limited: Can communicate in familiar & simple situations.
• 4 points - Limitations: If you encounter complex communication situations, you will face more difficulties than communicating in specific situations.
• 5 points - Normal: Good English & fluent in some familiar areas. It is possible to communicate but will encounter many structural errors.
• 6 points - Good: Fewer mistakes than 5 points.
• 7 points - Good: Can use English in complex situations and requires more logic.
• 8 points - Very good: Master the language in use, only if the content of the situation is too complicated, it is easy to encounter some errors but insignificant.
• 9 points - Language fluency: Good use of English, large vocabulary.

IELTS score scale measures learners' English proficiency

We invite you to read more about the following IELTS English proficiency test:

5. Benefits of getting a high band score in IELTS

Having a high IELTS score not only helps candidates gain many advantages in the learning process in school, but also opens up attractive job opportunities.

5.1 University admission & exemption from high school graduation exam in English

According to the latest regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, if your IELTS score of 4 skills has a total score of 4.5 or higher, you will be exempted from the high school graduation exam in English and used to directly apply for admission. into Universities.

5.2 Show ability to use 4 skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing fluently

Having a high IELTS score proves that you are capable of communicating and using all 4 skills of Listening - Speaking - Reading - Writing fluently and fluently with enough vocabulary.

5.3 Eligibility to graduate from college

Some major universities in Vietnam now have their own requirements for IELTS test scores for students to be eligible for graduation. The average IELTS score required to achieve is between 4.5 - 6.5 to be able to graduate.

5.4 Increase career opportunities

Vietnam's economy is gradually integrating into the world economy, so if your IELTS score is good, it means that your ability to find jobs that require English will also be easier , your chances of finding your dream career will be easier. wish to be more open.

5.5 Suggesting thinking to acquire new knowledge

Getting to know and learning another language well proves that you are a person with high logical ability and opens the opportunity to be exposed to knowledge of many new fields thanks to a rich vocabulary.

Getting a high IELTS score brings many benefits to learners

See more about the benefits of IELTS in the following video:

6. Frequently asked questions about the IELTS scale

Can other English test results be counted towards the IELTS score?

Since IELTS is an individual English proficiency test, no other test results can be counted towards the IELTS score.

What can I do if I am not satisfied with my IELTS test results?

Candidates can apply for an IELTS score review at the test center within 6 weeks of the test date.

What is the score for the IELTS test?

There is no pass or fail score in IELTS. Each institution or institution sets its own IELTS score to meet academic and work requirements.

Is it easy to get a high score in IELTS?

This depends on the thorough preparation of knowledge and practice of each candidate.

What is the lowest IELTS score and the highest IELTS score?

The highest IELTS score will be: (9 + 9 + 9 + 9) ÷ 4 = 9 points. The lowest IELTS score is 0 (This score only occurs when the candidate does not take the test).

Admittedly, IELTS certificate helps a lot for learners. So keep trying to study and get the best IELTS score !

DOL believes that through the last article, readers have a good understanding of the IELTS scale , and at the same time understand the grading rules of IELTS. What is the highest IELTS score as well as the meaning of each IELTS score frame?

Do not forget to regularly visit www.dolenglish.vn to update the latest information and knowledge of IELTS test preparation!