The IELTS Band Score Descriptors below explain each band score for the IELTS test to help you understanding your IELTS score.
IELTS Band Score Descriptors
The Descriptors below explain each IELTS Band Score from BAND 9 to Band 0.
IELTS BAND 9: EXPERT USER
The candidate has a fully operational command of the language. In other words, the language is appropriate, accurate, fluent, and accompanied by complete understanding.
IELTS BAND 8: VERY GOOD USER
The candidate has an operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies. Misunderstandings do occur in unfamiliar situations. The candidate is able to handle complex, detailed argumentation as well.
IELTS BAND 7: GOOD USER
The candidate has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies, and misunderstandings in some situations. The candidate generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
IELTS BAND 6: COMPETENT USER
The candidate has a generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies, and misunderstandings. The candidate is able to use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
IELTS BAND 5: MODEST USER
The candidate has a partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though he or she is likely to make many mistakes. The candidate should be able to handle basic communication in his or her own field.
IELTS BAND 4: LIMITED USER
The candidate has a basic competence that is limited to familiar situations. He or she has frequent problems in understanding and expression. The candidate is not able to use complex language.
IELTS BAND 3: EXTREMELY LIMITED USER
The candidate is able to convey and understand only general meanings in very familiar situations, but frequent breakdowns in communication will occur.
IELTS BAND 2: INTERMITTENT USER
No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. The candidate has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
IELTS BAND 1:NONUSER
The candidate essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
IELTS BAND 0:
The candidate did not attempt the test, and no assessable information was provided.
IELTS Speaking band descriptors
The examiner utilises the Speaking band descriptions as a set of evaluation criteria to evaluate your speaking performance.
Both IELTS Speaking examinations have the same band descriptions (Academic and General Training).
The evaluation criteria are divided into four categories and nine bands, we have described the nine bands, and here are the categories :
- Fluency and coherence.
- Lexical resource.
- Grammatical range and accuracy.
- Pronunciation.
These descriptors will be used by your IELTS Speaking examiner to assess your speaking abilities.
Your examiner will carefully assess the descriptions before allocating a band score to each of the four categories based on your overall performance.
Band scores vary from 0 (lowest) to 9 (highest) (the highest) as we have said before.
You can also Learn How IELTS Band Scores Are Calculated.