How are the IELTS Scores Calculated?

Have you ever wondered how the International English Language Testing System examination is rated?

The IELTS test is given a rating from 1 to 9 to each part of the exam: listening, reading, speaking and writing. A perfect score in the IELTS is given a score of 9.0. Candidates can get a whole score or half bands depending on the scores on each part of the test. Examiners are trained well to rate the test to ensure consistency in the quality of the assessment.

How is the IELTS test calculated?

The listening and reading tests have 40 items each. Each correct answer is given one point. The score is then converted to their respective IELTS score. For example, when a candidate gets a score of 38 out of 40, he or she is likely to get an 8.5 score. There are a lot of IELTS score calculators online. Here is a sample of a free IELTS test score calculator: http://www.ieltscalculator.com/

Rating the speaking and writing is a different thing. Examiners use descriptors to score these two sections. These descriptors assess the performance in four categories: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. For speaking, the descriptors are fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy and pronunciation. A score of 1 to 9 is given to each descriptor. The total will then be divided into four to have your speaking and writing scores, respectively.

Here is an example:

Reading (35/40)	Listening (38/50)	Speaking	Writing	Overall Band Score
8	8.5	7	7.5	8

Understanding the band scores

Band Score	Skill Level	Description
9	Expert user	-full operational command of the language
8	Very good user	-fully operational command of the language with occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriate usage
7	Good user	- operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriate usage and misunderstanding in some situations
6	Competent user	-general effective command of the language
5	Modest user	-partial command of the language
4	Limited user	-basic competence is limited to familiar situations
3	Extremely limited user	-convey and understand only general meaning in very familiar situations
2	Intermittent user	-great difficulty understanding spoken and written English
1	Non-user	-no ability to use the language except few isolated words
0	Did not attempt the test	-did not answer the questions

The IELTS test is a difficult exam once you do not have enough time in practicing and reviewing your English skills. It is best to prepare for the test by enrolling in an IELTS review center for a guided and comprehensive review for the test. 

Get more IELTS tips here www.ieltsexamstips.com.