IELTS Listening Band Score Calculator [IDP/BC]
This user-friendly IELTS Listening band score calculator take your total marks (out of 40) and convert them into an estimated band score (out of 9).
| IELTS Listening Band score calculator |
|---|
| *Please note that this is an estimated band score as the grading may slightly vary based on the complexity of the exam. |
Resources to help you score better in IELTS Listening:
☑️ Read our IELTS Listening beginners guide 2021 to understand the exam pattern.
☑️ Practice from our largest collection of free listening practice tests. We’ve plenty !
☑️ Browse through our extremely useful tips and tricks to score band 9 in Listening module.
IELTS Listening Marking Criteria
An important aspect of your IELTS Listening preparation is knowing how you will be marked for your answers. Here, both IDP Australia & British Council use similar criteria to calculate band scores.
In the Listening exam, you will have 40 questions based on audio recordings that will be played to you.
You’ll get 01 mark for each correct answer and you will be happy to know that there is NO negative marking.
So, the total number of correct answers (out of 40) will determine your band scores.
It should also be noted that scores are reported in whole (for example; 9.0, 8.0, 7.0 etc) or half (for example; 8.5, 7.5, 6.5 etc) bands.
The score chart/table used by our IELTS Listening Band Score Calculator is given below, it indicates the number of answers that should be correct in order to achieve a particular band score in IELTS Listening:
| Number of correct answers (out of 40) | Band scores |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 10 – 12 | 4.0 |
| 08 – 09 | 3.5 |
| 06 – 07 | 3.0 |
| 04 – 05 | 2.5 |
For illustration, let’s say …
– You’ve given 39-40 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘9.0′
– You’ve given 37-38 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘8.5’
– You’ve given 35-36 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘8.0′
– You’ve given 32-34 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘7.5’
– You’ve given 30-31 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘7.0’
– You’ve given 26-29 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘6.5’
– You’ve given 23-25 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘6.0’
– You’ve given 18-22 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘5.5’
– You’ve given 16-17 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘5.0’
– You’ve given 13-15 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘4.5’
– You’ve given 10-12 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘4.0’
– You’ve given 08-09 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘3.5’
– You’ve given 06-07 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘3.0’
– You’ve given 04-05 correct answers, then your estimated band scores in IELTS Listening will be ‘2.5’
IELTS Listening 9-Band Scale
In your IELTS journey, you must have wondered why band scores are so important? what they signify? why are they such a big deal for university admissions or immigration?
Well..let me tell you, each band score is rated against a particular English language skill level. As such, the band description will help the agencies or organisations where you’re applying, to gauge your English language strengths and weaknesses.
The band descriptors used for Listening module remain same for both IELTS Academic and General Training. Both test versions employ a similar 9-Band scale to rate candidate’s performance in the exam.
For better understanding, observe the table given below:
| Band Score | Skill Level | Band Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has full operational command over the language. ➡️The candidate’s use of English shows complete understanding of the language. ➡️The test taker understand and use the language appropriately, accurately and fluently. |
| 8 | Very good user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has complete operational command of the language with rare mistakes and inappropriate grammar usage. ➡️The test taker may not understand few things in unfamiliar circumstances. ➡️The candidate handles the detailed and complex argumentation well. |
| 7 | Good user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has operational command of the language, though with occasional errors, inappropriate grammar and slight misunderstandings. ➡️The test taker can understand detailed reasoning and generally manage the complex language well. |
| 6 | Competent user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has an effective grip over the language despite some mistakes, inappropriate grammar and slight misunderstandings. ➡️The test taker can communicate in fairly complex language, particularly in well-known situations. |
| 5 | Modest user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has a partial command of the language and understand the overall meaning in different situations. ➡️The candidate is likely to make frequent errors. ➡️The test taker is able to handle basic communication in his own domain. |
| 4 | Limited user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has basic competency limited to familiar circumstances. ➡️The test taker frequently demonstrate difficulty in understanding and expression. ➡️The candidate is unable to use any complex language. |
| 3 | Extremely limited user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam understands and conveys only general meaning of the language in very familiar situations. ➡️Frequent breakdowns can be observed in the communication. |
| 2 | Intermittent user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has immense difficulty understanding the written and spoken English. |
| 1 | Non-user | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam has no ability to use the English language except a small list of isolated words. |
| 0 | Did not attempt the test | ➡️The candidate registered for the exam did not answer any questions. |
Frequently Asked Questions
![IELTS Listening Band Score Calculator [IDP/BRITISH COUNCIL]](https://cictalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LISTENING-1024x536.png)
[WPSM_AC id=1042]
