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The IELTS test measures your English proficiency across four key areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each of these areas is scored on a scale from 0 to 9, and your overall score is an average of these individual scores. This guide will help you understand what your scores mean and how to interpret them.
Your IELTS test results are provided as band scores for each section of the test. These scores reflect your English proficiency level:
Listening: You’ll be tested on your ability to understand spoken English.
Reading: You’ll be evaluated based on how well you understand written English.
Writing: Your ability to write coherently and effectively is measured.
Speaking: Your spoken English skills will be tested in a one-on-one interview.
Band scores range from 0 (no ability) to 9 (expert user). Here’s a breakdown of what each score means:
Band 9: Expert user – fully operational command of the language.
Band 7-8: Good to very good user – effective command of English, with occasional inaccuracies.
Band 6: Competent user – can handle complex language, but may make some mistakes.
Band 5: Modest user – basic command of English with frequent misunderstandings.
Band 4: Limited user – frequent problems with understanding and expression.
Band 3: Extremely limited user – unable to use English in most situations.
Band 2: Intermittent user – very limited ability.
Band 1: Non-user – no real communication ability.
Band 0: Did not attempt the test.