Your IELTS result is a number from 0 to 9, given in whole and half bands (6.0, 6.5, 7.0…). You get a band for each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) and an overall band, which is the average of the four.
This guide explains what each band actually means, how the overall score is calculated, how bands map to the CEFR levels (B2, C1) and how many correct answers you need in Listening and Reading.
Tip: Want your number straight away? Use the free IELTS band score calculator: enter your raw scores and it does the rounding for you.
The IELTS 9-band scale#
Every band has an official name that describes the kind of English user you are:
| Band | Level | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | Full, flexible command of English with complete accuracy and understanding. |
| 8 | Very good user | Fully operational; only occasional errors or misunderstandings in unfamiliar situations. |
| 7 | Good user | Operational command with some errors; handles complex language and detailed reasoning well. |
| 6 | Competent user | Generally effective despite errors; uses fairly complex language in familiar situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | Partial command; gets the overall meaning in most situations but makes many mistakes. |
| 4 | Limited user | Basic competence in familiar situations; frequent problems with understanding and expression. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | Conveys and understands 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 beyond a few isolated words. |
| 0 | Did not attempt | No assessable information provided. |
Half bands (5.5, 6.5, 7.5) sit between two levels: a 6.5 is a strong “competent user” moving towards “good user”.
IELTS and CEFR: is 6.5 a B2 or a C1?#
Many universities and employers describe their requirement as a CEFR level. Here is how IELTS bands line up with the Common European Framework:
| CEFR level | IELTS band | Typical description |
|---|---|---|
| C2 (Proficient) | 8.5 – 9.0 | Near-native precision and fluency |
| C1 (Advanced) | 7.0 – 8.0 | Effective, flexible use for academic and professional purposes |
| B2 (Upper intermediate) | 5.5 – 6.5 | Can discuss complex topics with some errors |
| B1 (Intermediate) | 4.0 – 5.0 | Handles familiar everyday situations |
| A2 and below | 3.5 and below | Basic phrases and simple exchanges |
So IELTS B2 = 5.5 to 6.5 and IELTS C1 = 7.0 to 8.0. A 6.5 is a high B2, and a 7.0 is the start of C1, which is why 6.5 vs 7.0 is such an important line for many applicants.
How the overall band score is calculated#
Your overall band is the average of your four skill bands, rounded to the nearest whole or half band:
- If the average ends in .25, it rounds up to the next half band (6.25 → 6.5).
- If it ends in .75, it rounds up to the next whole band (6.75 → 7.0).
- Anything below those points rounds down (6.125 → 6.0, 6.625 → 6.5).
Example: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.0, Speaking 7.0. Total 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25, so the overall band is 6.5.
Example: Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 5.5, Speaking 6.0. Total 24.5 ÷ 4 = 6.125, so the overall band is 6.0.
Note: Many universities and visa routes also set a minimum for each skill (for example “6.5 overall with no band below 6.0”). Always check both numbers.
Listening and Reading: correct answers needed for each band#
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions. Your number of correct answers (the raw score) is converted to a band. Academic and General Training Reading use different charts, because General Training texts are easier:
Listening
Academic & General Training · correct answers out of 40
| Correct | Band | CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| 39–40 | 9.0 | C2 |
| 37–38 | 8.5 | C2 |
| 35–36 | 8.0 | C1 |
| 32–34 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 30–31 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 26–29 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 23–25 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 18–22 | 5.5 | B2 |
| 16–17 | 5.0 | B1 |
| 13–15 | 4.5 | B1 |
| 11–12 | 4.0 | B1 |
| 8–10 | 3.5 | A2 |
| 6–7 | 3.0 | A2 |
| 4–5 | 2.5 | A1 |
| 0–3 | 2.0 | A1 |
Academic Reading
Academic module · correct answers out of 40
| Correct | Band | CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| 39–40 | 9.0 | C2 |
| 37–38 | 8.5 | C2 |
| 35–36 | 8.0 | C1 |
| 33–34 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 30–32 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 27–29 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 23–26 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 19–22 | 5.5 | B2 |
| 15–18 | 5.0 | B1 |
| 13–14 | 4.5 | B1 |
| 10–12 | 4.0 | B1 |
| 8–9 | 3.5 | A2 |
| 6–7 | 3.0 | A2 |
| 0–5 | 2.5 | A1 |
General Training Reading
GT module · correct answers out of 40
| Correct | Band | CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 9.0 | C2 |
| 39 | 8.5 | C2 |
| 37–38 | 8.0 | C1 |
| 36 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 34–35 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 32–33 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 30–31 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 27–29 | 5.5 | B2 |
| 23–26 | 5.0 | B1 |
| 19–22 | 4.5 | B1 |
| 15–18 | 4.0 | B1 |
| 12–14 | 3.5 | A2 |
| 9–11 | 3.0 | A2 |
| 0–8 | 2.5 | A1 |
Conversion tables vary slightly from test to test; these are the commonly used approximate scores. Bands of 7.0 and above are highlighted.
Writing and Speaking have no raw score. Examiners give a band for each of four criteria (for example Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy in Writing), and those are averaged.
What each common band score means#
IELTS 5.0 and 5.5#
A 5.0 is a “modest user”: you can communicate the main idea but make frequent mistakes, and complex texts are hard to follow. In Listening, 5.0 means about 16–17 correct answers; 5.5 means about 18–22.
A 5.5 is the start of B2. It is accepted for some foundation and pathway courses, some vocational programmes and some General Training immigration purposes. To move up, focus on accuracy: articles, verb tenses and fully answering the question.
IELTS 6.0#
A 6.0 is a “competent user”. You can handle familiar topics with reasonable accuracy, write organised essays with some errors and keep talking in Speaking with occasional hesitation. Many undergraduate programmes ask for 6.0 overall. In Listening it is roughly 23–25 correct; in Academic Reading about 23–26.
IELTS 6.5#
6.5 is the most commonly requested score for undergraduate and many postgraduate courses. It shows a high B2 level: you use a range of vocabulary and complex sentences, though with some errors. In Listening you need around 26–29 correct answers; in Academic Reading around 27–29.
IELTS 7.0#
A 7.0 is a “good user” and the start of C1. It is often required for postgraduate study, teaching and many professional registrations. At 7.0 your essays have a clear position throughout, your vocabulary includes less common words and collocations, and many of your sentences are error-free. Listening: about 30–31 correct. Academic Reading: about 30–32.
IELTS 7.5 and 8.0+#
7.5 and 8.0 show strong, flexible English with only occasional errors. These scores are often required for medicine, law and other professions where precise communication is essential. At 8.0 in Listening you need about 35–36 correct answers, so there is very little room for mistakes.
How to raise your band score#
- Find your weakest skill. Because the overall band is an average, raising your lowest skill by 1.0 adds 0.25 to the overall band and can push it over a rounding point.
- Practise under real conditions. Use the free practice tests with answers and time yourself.
- Get feedback on Writing and Speaking. These are the hardest skills to judge yourself. Compare your answers with model answers, or use an AI examiner to score them.
- Work on accuracy before complexity. Clear, error-free sentences score better than long, complicated sentences with mistakes. Check your grammar with the free IELTS grammar test.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is IELTS 6.5 a good score?#
Yes. 6.5 is a high B2 level and the most common requirement for university admission in English-speaking countries. It shows you can study in English, although with some errors.
What is a B2 level in IELTS?#
B2 corresponds to IELTS bands 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5. C1 corresponds to 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0.
How is the IELTS overall band score rounded?#
The four skill bands are averaged. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and one ending in .75 rounds up to the next whole band. For example, 6.25 becomes 6.5 and 6.75 becomes 7.0.
Can I get a band score of 6.75 or 6.25?#
No. Individual skills and the overall result are only given in whole or half bands, so 6.25 becomes 6.5 and 6.75 becomes 7.0 after rounding.
How many correct answers do I need for band 7 in IELTS Listening?#
You usually need about 30 or 31 correct answers out of 40 for band 7.0 in Listening. Conversion tables vary slightly from test to test.
How long is an IELTS score valid?#
Most universities and organisations accept IELTS results for two years from the test date.