This tab le contains th e g e n e ra l descrip to rs fo r the band scores 1 -9 :
IELTS Band
Scores
Expert user
Very good user
Good user
Competent user
Modest user
Limited user
Extremely limited
user
Intermittent user
Non user
Did not attempt
the test
Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding.
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.
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex
language, particularly in familiar situations.
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.
Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in
understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations.
Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
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. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
Essentially has no ability to use the Language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
No assessable information provided.
Marking
The Listening and Reading papers have 40 items, each worth one m ark if correctly answered.
Here are som e
examples of how m a rk s are translated into band scores:
Listening:
16 out of 40 correct answ ers:
band score 5
23 out of 40 correct answ ers:
band score 6
30 out of 40 correct answ ers:
band score 7
Reading
15 out of 40 correct answers:
band score 5
23 out of 40 correct answ ers:
band score 6
30 out of 40 correct answ ers:
band score 7
Writing and Speaking are marked according to performance descriptors.
Writing: exam iners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
• Task achievement (Task 1)
• Task resp o nse(T ask 2)
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource and gram m atical range and accuracy
Speaking: exam iners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
•
Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Gram matical range
•
Accuracy and pronunciation
For full details of how the examination is scored and marked, go to: www.ielts.org
