Within 3 to 5 days of the test day, a computer-delivered IELTS band score is available. To check your IELTS results online, use the link supplied by your test centre to go to the IELTS online results portal. There is a table with the IELTS test results and an explanation of the scores. The findings will be available for 28 days on the internet.
After you've completed your IELTS exam, you'll be able to view your results online within 3 to 5 days of the test date. The result will be in the form of a Test Report Form (TRF), and you will only receive one TRF. The TRF displays your overall band as well as your scores in each of the four sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. On a 9-band scale, all five scores are shown.
In addition, you will be given an overall band score. We will tell you everything you need to know about the IELTS results and scores in this article.
If you take the computer-delivered IELTS test, you will receive your IELTS result online in 5 to 7 days, however, if you took the paper-based IELTS test, you will have to wait 13 calendar days from the test date to obtain your IELTS result online. The IELTS result is only available for 28 days. There is no pass/fail system in IELTS because the results are separated into 9 levels of IELTS band scores. To suit its requirements, each institute or organisation specifies its level of IELTS scores. Each candidate's test scores are reported using the IELTS 9 scoring system.
IELTS is a test that evaluates students' English language skills at all levels. As a result, students can never flunk the exam. The band is decided on a scale of 1 to 9 based on all four abilities.
For premier universities, the IELTS cutoff ranges from 7 to 8. Universities have a predetermined sectional cutoff for each component of the IELTS course. Harvard, Stanford, California Institute of Technology, MIT, and other world-renowned universities demand an IELTS band score of at least 7. The IELTS cutoff varies depending on the programme used at each university.
From the time you obtain your IELTS results, your result is valid for two years.
Students can check their IELTS results in a variety of ways, including online, by email, SMS, or in person at the test centre.
The IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is a paper that contains a copy of the IELTS result. After 13 days, students receive their IELTS results. Test takers can pick up their results at the testing centres or have them mailed to them. The examination has no minimum scoring criteria.
IELTS score validity is for two years, which means that after that time, IELTS scores are no longer valid as proof of English language proficiency. As a result, for an IELTS test score to be valid, it must be sent to universities by the user. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of times you can take the test. Following the specific IELTS exam dates, you can reserve a session anytime you feel ready for the test.
IELTS gives a score from 0 to 9 for each section, so the total score is 9, and the maximum score is also 9. Candidates might also receive a band score of 0.5 or 0.25 for any of the modules. The average of all the marks received in all four modules is used to determine the IELTS score. The IELTS band score is equal to the average IELTS score across all areas.
IELTS band score table, given below shows the same:
IELTS Listening Score | 8 |
IELTS Reading Score | 7.5 |
IELTS Writing Score | 7 |
IELTS Speaking Score | 7.5 |
IELTS Total Score | 7.5 |
Here, 7.5 is the acquired IELTS academic band score or IELTS general band score.
Your overall average score will also be rounded to 6.5 if it is 6.25. And if it's 6.75, it'll rise to 7. The IELTS exam result is rounded to the closest 0.5 points. Those who receive a band of 6.1 receive a score of 6, while those who receive a band of 6.9 receive a score of 7.
Each IELTS band represents a different level of English proficiency. The following table is a description of the band score as well as the skill level.
Band Score |
Skill Level |
Description |
Band 9 |
Expert User |
A candidate who receives a 9 band on the IELTS test has complete mastery of the language. You have an acceptable command of the English language, which is accurate and fluent, and you display complete comprehension. |
Band 8 |
Very Good User |
Band 8 test takers have a complete mastery of the language, with only a few unsystematic mistakes and incorrect usage. Although the candidate may have misinterpreted some of the novel scenarios, he or she handled the majority of the difficult comprehensive argumentation well. |
Band 7 |
Good user |
Candidates who score a 7 on the IELTS Academic scale show a functional grasp of the language, although with certain errors. In some cases, incorrect usage and misunderstandings occur. They can handle complex languages with ease and have a good knowledge of well-detailed reasoning. |
Band 6 |
Competent User |
Despite certain mistakes, incorrect usage, and misconceptions, candidates who achieve band 6 in IELTS Academic have an effective command of the language. They are at ease with and understand the sophisticated language, especially in familiar situations. |
Band 5 |
Modest User |
Candidates who score a 5 on the IELTS Academic have a working knowledge of the language and can understand the broad meaning in most cases. They are prone to making errors, although they are capable of basic communication in their field. |
Band 4 |
Limited User |
Candidates who receive a band 4 on the IELTS Academic test have their basic competency restricted to only familiar scenarios. They frequently struggle to comprehend and express themselves. They are unable to communicate in complex language and have trouble coping with words of this nature. |
Band 3 |
Extremely Limiter User |
Candidates who receive a band 3 are believed to be able to communicate and understand general English only in highly familiar contexts. In their discourse, they frequently experience breakdowns. |
Band 2 |
Intermittent user |
Candidates struggle to grasp both spoken and written English. |
Band 1 |
Non-User |
Except for a few isolated words, test takers cannot use the language. |
Band 0 |
Did not attend the test |
The candidate either did not take the test or did not respond to the questions. |
A good IELTS score differs from one country to the next, as well as from one university to the next. IELTS scores are recognised for education and visa purposes in all English-speaking nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. When an applicant needs to get a visa for educational, training, or professional reasons. The following are the requirements for obtaining a visa:
IELTS Score for the UK (UKVI)
For UG or PG courses, countries such as the United Kingdom recognise the IELTS test score as proof of English language proficiency. A concise list of some of the universities, together with the IELTS Band score required to secure a UK Visa is provided below. Check the table for the IELTS Cutoff for the United Kingdom.
IELTS Band Score |
University |
7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG |
University of Oxford |
7.0 |
University of Cambridge |
7.0 |
Imperial College of London |
6.5 |
University College London |
7.0 for UG and 7.5 for PG |
London School of Economics and Political Science |
IELTS Score for USA
Candidates must have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 in order to be eligible for a visa to study or work in the United States.
IELTS Band Score |
University |
7.0 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
7.0 |
California Institute of Technology |
7.0 |
Harvard University |
7.0 |
Princeton University |
IELTS Score for Australia
Candidates must achieve a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 in order to apply to Australia universities. Undergraduate courses require a least 6.5 band score, whereas PG courses demand a 7.0 band score. The table below shows the IELTS score for some of the Australian Universities.
IELTS Band Score |
University |
7.0 |
University of Melbourne |
6.5 for UG and 7.0 for PG |
Australian National University |
6.5 for UG and 7.0 for PG |
University of Sydney |
6.5 |
University of Queensland |
6.5 |
Monash University |
IELTS Score for Canada
Canada PR's IELTS score is likewise about 7. Universities in Canada also require an IELTS score of 7 or higher. A common question of "Is 6.5 a suitable IELTS score for Canada?" – A 6.5 IELTS score with a sectional score of 6-7 is sometimes accepted.