IELTS Scoring System

✍️ Writing Scoring

Writing is assessed across two tasks (Task 1 and Task 2), each marked on four criteria worth 25% each. Task 2 carries double the weight of Task 1.

Four Criteria

Criterion	What It Means
Task Achievement / Task Response	Did you fully address the task, answer all parts, and support your ideas?
Coherence and Cohesion	Is your writing logically organised and easy to follow? Do you use paragraphs and linking words well?
Lexical Resource	Do you use a variety of vocabulary correctly and avoid repetition?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy	Do you use a variety of grammatical structures accurately and appropriately?

Score Calculation Example

Criterion	Band
Task Response	7.0
Coherence and Cohesion	6.5
Lexical Resource	7.0
Grammar	6.0

(7.0 + 6.5 + 7.0 + 6.0) ÷ 4 = 6.625 → rounded to Band 6.5

🗣️ Speaking Scoring

Speaking is also graded using four equal criteria, each worth 25% of your total score.

Four Criteria

Criterion	What It Means
Fluency and Coherence	Do you speak smoothly without too many pauses? Are your ideas well-connected?
Lexical Resource	Do you use a wide range of vocabulary naturally and accurately?
Grammatical Range and Accuracy	Do you use varied grammar structures accurately — conditionals, passives, etc.?
Pronunciation	Are you clear and understandable? Do you use stress, intonation, and rhythm well?

Score Calculation Example

Criterion	Band
Fluency & Coherence	6.5
Lexical Resource	7.0
Grammar	6.0
Pronunciation	6.5

(6.5 + 7.0 + 6.0 + 6.5) ÷ 4 = Band 6.5

🎧 Listening Scoring

Listening is scored purely on the number of correct answers out of 40 questions. There are no subjective criteria.

Score Conversion Table

Raw Score	Approximate Band
39–40	9.0
37–38	8.5
35–36	8.0
32–34	7.5
30–31	7.0
26–29	6.5
23–25	6.0
18–22	5.5
16–17	5.0
13–15	4.5

📖 Reading Scoring

Reading is also scored out of 40, but the conversion differs between Academic and General Training.

Academic Reading

Raw Score	Approximate Band
39–40	9.0
37–38	8.5
35–36	8.0
33–34	7.5
30–32	7.0
27–29	6.5
23–26	6.0
19–22	5.5
15–18	5.0

General Training Reading

Raw Score	Approximate Band
40	9.0
39	8.5
37–38	8.0
36	7.5
34–35	7.0
32–33	6.5
30–31	6.0
27–29	5.5
23–26	5.0

🧠 Scoring Method Comparison

Section	Assessment Type	Band Based On
Speaking	Qualitative (4 criteria)	Fluency, Lexis, Grammar, Pronunciation
Writing	Qualitative (4 criteria)	Task, Cohesion, Lexis, Grammar
Listening	Quantitative	Raw score out of 40
Reading	Quantitative	Raw score out of 40 (scaled per test type)