IELTS scoring methods and explanations
IELTS BAND SCORES The table below shows the scoring methods and explanations for the IELTS exam, adopted by the British Council, the IDP Association, and the Cambridge United Testing Association. To indicate the level of each test.
| 9. Expert user. Skilled user |
excellent user, able to use English fluently; appropriate, accurate, fluent, and fully understandable Has fully operational command of the language; appropriate，accurate and fluent with complete understanding . |
| 8. Very good user. Very good user |
, very good user, can use English fluently, though occasionally there are intermittent mistakes and inappropriate parts, which may lead to misunderstandings when unfamiliar, but can handle complex and detailed arguments very well Has fully operational command of the language; with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies . Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations . Handles complex detailed argumentation well. |
| 7. Good user . Good users |
users who can use English. Although sometimes there are inaccuracies, inappropriateness, or misunderstandings in certain situations, they generally grasp complex English well and understand the reasons in detail Has operational command of the language though with occasional inaccuracies inappropracies and misunderstandings in some situations . Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. |
| 6. Competent user. Qualified users |
users who can generally use English effectively, despite inaccuracies, inappropriateness, and misunderstandings, but can use and understand quite complex English, especially in familiar situations Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies，and misunderstandings . Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations . |
| 5. Modest user . Moderate users |
: Moderate users can partially use English and in most cases handle overall definitions. Although many mistakes may occur, they should be able to master basic communication within their own field Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations though is likely to make many mistakes . Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. |
| 4. Limited user . Limited users |
: limited users only have basic comprehension in familiar situations, often encounter problems in comprehension and expression, and cannot use complex English Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. |
| 3. Extremely limited user . |
extremely limited user, when very familiar, can only communicate and understand the general definition Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communications occur. |
| 2. Intermittent user . Difficult users |
occasionally use only vocabulary or short phrases in familiar situations to convey the most basic messages to meet communication needs. In reality, true communication is impossible, and there are significant barriers in English speaking and writing No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulas in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs . Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. |
| 1. Non user . Completely unusable |
, indestructible, essentially unable to use English, may only be able to say a few words, and communication is often poor Essentially has ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. |