Is IELTS Score Out of 10 or 9?
Is IELTS Score Out of 10 or 9?
Complete Explanation for Students & Visa Applicants
If you are planning to study abroad,
migrate, or apply for a work visa, chances are you’ve come across this common
question:
Is IELTS score out of 10 or 9?
Many students feel confused when
they see scores like 6.5, 7.5, or 8.5, and naturally assume IELTS might
be scored out of 10. However, the truth is very clear:
IELTS is scored on a 9-band scale, not out of 10.
In this blog, we’ll explain the
IELTS scoring system in simple terms, clear up common misunderstandings, and
help you understand what your IELTS band score really means.
Understanding the IELTS Scoring System
The International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) uses a band score system ranging from 0 to 9.
Each band represents a specific level of English language ability, from
beginner to expert.
There is no band 10 in IELTS,
and the exam has never followed a 10-point scoring format.
IELTS Band Score Range
- Band 9
– Expert User
- Band 8
– Very Good User
- Band 7
– Good User
- Band 6
– Competent User
- Band 5
– Modest User
- Band 4 and below
– Limited to Non-User
So, when someone asks “Is IELTS
score out of 10?”, the correct answer is no — it is strictly out of 9.
Why Do People Think IELTS Is Out of 10?
This confusion is extremely common,
especially among first-time test takers. Here are the main reasons why people
assume IELTS might be scored out of 10:
- Half-band scores like 6.5 or 8.5 look similar to decimal scores on a 10-point scale
- Other English tests, such as PTE, use different
scoring systems
- Many academic exams worldwide use 10 or 100 as the
maximum score
- Misinformation on forums and social media
Despite these assumptions, IELTS has
always used the same 9-band system globally, standardized by British
Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English.
Is There an IELTS Band 10?
No.
There is no IELTS band 10.
The highest possible IELTS score
is Band 9, which represents an expert level of English proficiency.
Candidates scoring Band 9 demonstrate complete command of the language with
accurate, fluent, and natural usage.
Any claim of scoring “10 out of 10
in IELTS” is simply incorrect.
How IELTS Scores Are Calculated?
IELTS assesses your English skills
across four sections:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
Each of these sections is scored
individually on a 0–9 band scale.
Overall IELTS Band Score
Your overall IELTS score is
calculated by:
- Adding the four section band scores
- Dividing the total by four
- Rounding the result to the nearest whole band or
half band
That’s why IELTS results appear as 6.0,
6.5, 7.0, 7.5, or 8.5 — all of which are part of the 9-band system,
not a 10-point scale.
IELTS Score Calculation Example
Let’s look at a simple example to
understand how the overall band score works.
Suppose a candidate scores:
- Listening: 7.5
- Reading: 6.5
- Writing: 6.0
- Speaking: 7.0
Total = 27
Average = 6.75
The final overall band score is rounded
to 7.0.
This rounding system is another
reason people mistakenly believe IELTS works on a 10-point scale — but it does
not.
What Do Half Band Scores Mean in IELTS?
IELTS allows half-band scores,
such as:
These half bands simply reflect
performance that falls between two full bands. For example:
- 6.5
means better than Band 6 but not quite Band 7
- 8.5
means very close to expert level
Again, half bands do not indicate
a score out of 10 — they are part of the same 9-band structure.
Is Band 9 the Highest IELTS Score?
Yes.
Band 9 is the maximum score in IELTS.
A Band 9 candidate:
- Uses English fluently and accurately
- Makes rare, insignificant errors
- Understands and expresses complex ideas with ease
Very few test takers achieve a Band
9, which is why it is considered an elite score.
Is There a Pass or Fail in IELTS?
No, IELTS does not have a pass or
fail system.
Instead, your band score reflects
your level of English proficiency. Different institutions, countries, and visa
categories set their own minimum band requirements.
For example:
- Universities may require 6.5 or 7.0
- Immigration programs may accept 6.0 or above
- Professional bodies may demand 7.5 or higher
What Is a Good IELTS Score?
A “good” IELTS score depends on your
goal:
For Study Abroad
- Undergraduate programs: 6.0 – 6.5
- Postgraduate programs: 6.5 – 7.5
For Immigration (Canada, Australia, UK)
For Professional Registration
- Often 7.0 to 8.0, depending on the profession
Remember, even a 6.5 or 7.0 is a
strong score and well within the accepted range for most purposes.
IELTS vs Other English Tests
Another reason people think IELTS is
out of 10 is because other English tests use different scoring systems.
For example:
- IELTS: 0–9 band scale
- PTE: 10–90 score scale
- TOEFL iBT: 0–120 score scale
Each test has its own scoring
method, so scores cannot be compared directly.
Final Answer: Is IELTS Score Out of 10 or 9?
Let’s clear it up once and for all:
- IELTS score is out of 9
- IELTS is not scored out of 10
- Band 9 is the highest possible score
- Scores like 6.5 or 8.5 are part of the 9-band system
- There is no IELTS band 10
If you ever see someone claiming a
“10 in IELTS,” you can be confident that the information is inaccurate.