The scoring for the Listening Section is simply a calculation based on the amount of correct answers. The scoring breakdown is shown below:

Correct Answers / IELTS Band Score

39-40 / 9

37-38 / 8.5

35-36 / 8

32-34 / 7.5

30-31 / 7

26-29 / 6.5

23-25 / 6

18-22 / 5.5

16-17 / 5

13-15 / 4.5

11-12 / 4

The scoring for the Reading Section is simply a calculation based on the amount of correct answers. The scoring breakdown is shown below:

Correct Answers / IELTS Band Scoring

40-39 / 9

38-37 / 8.5

36-35 / 8

34-33 / 7.5

32-30 / 7

29-27 / 6.5

26-23 / 6

22-19 / 5.5

18-15 / 5

14-13 / 4.5

12-10 /  4

The scoring for the Writing Section is assessed based on four criteria. These four criteria are as follows: Task Achievement; Coherence & Cohesion; Lexical Resource; and Grammar Range & Accuracy. Each of these subsections is weighted at 25% of each Task’s score. Please note: Task 2 is worth twice as many points as Task 1. Therefore, your writing section score will be calculated as follows:

• Task 1: 5.5

• Task 2: 7

Your overall Writing Section score would be calculated as follows: (5.5+ 7*2)/3 = 6.5 = IELTS band score of a 6.5

Four criteria for the Writing Section:

Task Achievement (25%): This criteria focuses on how accurately you execute the task itself. For example, do you provide an overview, address the question being asked, present information accurately, support your detail with data or anecdotes, and give a clear position? 

Coherence & Cohesion (25%):This criteria focuses on how you organize the information in your response. Do you have an introduction paragraph with a roadmap for the rest of the response, have one central idea per paragraph, use linking devices and connectors, and organize information in a digestible and easy to read manner? 

Lexical Resource (25%):This criteria focuses on your word choice and spelling. Do you use a good range of vocabulary that fits the prompt, spell words correctly, paraphrase effectively, or use collocations in your response? 

Grammar Range & Accuracy (25%): This criteria focuses on the accuracy of the grammar in your response. Do you have run-on sentences, do you use a mix of sentence structures, do you use different grammar tenses correctly, do you use current punctuation, and overall do you avoid grammatical errors? 

Example expectations for an IELTS Band 7 Score for Task 2: 

Task Achievement: The main parts of the prompt are appropriately addressed, and the position of the writer is clearly presented. The main ideas are supported but there is an over generalization or lack of focus on some of the ideas. 

Coherence & Cohesion: The information and ideas are logically organized, and there is a clear progression through the response. Paraphrasing is generally used effectively to support overall coherence, and the order of paragraphs is generally logical. 

Lexical Resource: An awareness of style and collocation is evident, however, sometimes not in a natural way. There are only a few spelling errors and they do not detract from the overall clarity of the response. 

Grammatical Range & Accuracy: A variety of complex sentence structures are implemented. Grammar and punctuation errors can occur, however, a large majority of the sentences are error-free. No errors should impede the readability of the response. 

The Speaking Section is scored based on your overall speaking performance, not necessarily based on your performance for one particular section. It is graded based on the following four criteria:

Fluency (25%): Fluency is defined as talking for the appropriate amount of time for each question, talking with minimal hesitation, talking without self correction, and using linking devices to connect your thoughts and ideas. 

Lexical Resource (25%): Lexical Resource is defined as being able to use a range of words and paraphrasing, use collocations, use less common vocabulary, and avoid as many errors as possible in word choice. 

Grammar Range & Accuracy (25%): Grammar Range is best measured by your ability to use a range of verb tenses, a variety of sentence structures, and to avoid grammatical errors with word order, prepositions, and incorrect verb conjugations being the most common errors. 

Pronunciation (25%): Pronunciation is different from accent. Sometimes an accent can negatively impact pronunciation, but generally the two are separate. Pronunciation simply means speaking clearly and understandably, pronouncing words accurately, correct use of stress and intonation when speaking, and minimal distraction based on your accent.