How to calculate band score in IELTS

IELTS is one of the major hurdles for students planning to study abroad. Each year, more than a million students migrate to various countries from India after IELTS. So, you must prepare yourself well in advance for IELTS. Most students take special tuitions to make themselves familiar with the IELTS formats. However, one aspect that often gets overlooked is how to calculate the IELTS score. Knowing how to calculate your score helps you to strategise beforehand. You can focus on a specific area and ensure your overall score hits the bullseye. In this blog, we will discuss, in detail, how you can calculate IELTS scores yourself.

Calculating your IELTS band score involves several steps. Each of these steps corresponds to one of the four tested language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS exam assesses your English language proficiency, and your overall band score is an average of these individual scores. On this note, let’s delve into the steps –

• Understanding the IELTS Band Score System

The IELTS band score system ranges from 0 to 9, with half-band increments. A band score of 0 indicates no English proficiency, while 9 signifies expert-level language skills. You will receive a separate band score for each of the four skills and an overall band score, which is the average of these individual scores. Try enrolling yourself for IELTS coaching online from a trusted site like AbroAdvice.com, if you are facing trouble understanding the scoring system.

• Listening and Reading Scores

The Listening and Reading sections of the IELTS exam are both scored based on the number of correct answers. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so you should attempt all questions.

The raw score (the number of correct answers) is converted into a band score using a conversion table. The conversion tables are specific to each test, as different tests may have varying levels of difficulty. This means that the same number of correct answers on different tests may yield different band scores. You can consult the study abroad consultants from a reliable website like AbroAdvice to get more details about the same.

• Writing and Speaking Scores

The Writing and Speaking sections are scored based on specific assessment criteria.

• Writing

Examiners assess your writing based on four criteria: Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion is given a band score, and the average of these scores is your Writing band score.

• Speaking

The Speaking test is conducted by an examiner who assesses your performance in four categories: Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each category receives a band score, and the average of these scores is your Speaking band score.

• Calculating the Overall Band Score

To calculate your overall band score, add the individual band scores for each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) and divide by 4. However, if the result is denoted by decimals, it should be rounded to the nearest half band. Let us explain this with an example.

Assuming you have scored like this –

• Listening 7
• Reading 7
• Writing 6.5
• Speaking 7

In this situation, the total score comes to 27.5. Then, we have to divide it by 4. That brings to the result – 6.875. Since 7 is the nearest half-band, the actual score will be reflected as 7.

Let us explain this with another example –

Suppose your IELTS scores are as follows –

• 8 in Listening
• 7 in Reading
• 6.5 in Writing
• 7.5 in Speaking

In this case, the right formula to calculate your overall band score would be –

(8 + 7 + 6.5 + 7.5) = 29. Then, we have to divide 29 by 4. This gives us a score of 7.25. Now, by following the same principle, we have to round it to the nearest half-band. So, 7.25 should be written as 7.5.

• Understanding the Importance of Each Skill

Each skill is equally important when calculating the overall band score. So, you cannot afford to neglect one aspect and focus more on the other. For example, many students historically struggle with the speaking parameter. They plan on acing the other three aspects and hope to barely pass the one part they are struggling with.

However, this strategy can backfire. IELTS scores are the culmination of all four aspects. So, even if you fail to score good bands in a part, it will affect the overall score. So, always work hard to excel in all areas to get an impressive score in IELTS. It may happen that you are not as good as others in reading or writing. In that case, you can seek help from online IELTS helpers. They can help you hone your skills in these areas and make you exam ready.

• Interpreting Your Band Score

Each band score corresponds to a particular level of English proficiency. Here’s a general guideline:

   – 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

Understand this guideline by heart. You can even make a flash card and keep it handy after the exam. That way, you can easily understand where you are standing.

• Understanding Minimum Score Requirements

Different organisations and academic institutions have specific minimum IELTS band score requirements for admission or employment. It’s essential to research and ensure you meet these requirements before taking the test. For example, premium universities like Harvard or Oxford look for scores of 7.5 and higher. Once you are clear about how much you need to score, you can prepare yourself accordingly. Similarly, if you think a score of 6 or 6.5 will be enough to help you get into the university you have chosen, you can slack off a bit.

• Retaking the Test

There are also options of retaking the test if you are unsatisfied with your results. However, you must be wary of a couple of things before retaking IELTS. You need to spend a considerable amount to register yourself for IELTS. So, be absolutely sure of your chances before spending a single penny.

Moreover, you should prepare yourself well enough to nail it on your next chance. There is no point retaking the test multiple times and failing it repeatedly. Hire good experts from reliable sites like AbroAdvice.com, so that you can access the best resources and retake the test when you are fully ready.

In this blog, we have clearly explained why you need to know how to calculate IELTS scores. You will also find the steps that you must follow to calculate the score. Understanding the scoring criteria for each skill and the importance of balanced performance across all areas is crucial to achieving your desired band score. Additionally, consider the specific requirements of the organisation or institution you are applying to, as they may have their own minimum score requirements.