Category: Scoring
How to Get a Band 8 Score in Academic IELTS
Some linguistically demanding courses such as literature and law can require IELTS 8.0 or even 8.5. Thankfully, most people never have to aim this high! If you’re one of the unlucky few, this is what you need to do to obtain a Band 8 score in the academic version of IELTS.
IELTS Listening
- Get 35 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Reading (Academic Module)
- Get 35 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Writing (Academic Module)
- Answer both questions fully
- Use paragraphing skillfully to convey several key ideas
- Use less-common vocabulary naturally with an awareness of collocation
- Provide an overview and explain key points in Task 1
- Indicate a clear position and develop it extensively in Task 2
- Produce mostly error-free complex sentences
IELTS Speaking
- Speak fluently and at length on any given topic with almost no hesitation
- Use a range of linking words accurately to develop ideas
- Use higher-level and idiomatic vocabulary to convey precise meaning
- Produce mostly error-free simple and complex sentences
- Use pronunciation and intonation patterns similar to those of a native speaker
Follow the advice above to meet the IELTS criteria for Band 8 in all four modules. A Band 8 score in IELTS is good enough for any university undergraduate or postgraduate programme and should be sufficient to practice medicine or law in an English-speaking country.
How to Get a Band 7 Score in Academic IELTS
The world’s best universities often require IELTS 7.0 or even 7.5 to enter, which is quite a challenge for speakers of English as a second language. This is what you need to do to get a band 7 score in the academic version of IELTS.
IELTS Listening
- Get 30 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Reading (Academic Module)
- Get 30 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Writing (Academic Module)
- Answer both questions fully
- Write in clear paragraphs, each with a main idea and supporting sentences
- Use higher-level vocabulary with an awareness of collocation
- Provide an overview with detailed comparisons in Task 1
- Indicate a clear position and stick to it consistently in Task 2
- Produce generally error-free sentences
IELTS Speaking
- Speak fluently and at length on any given topic
- Use a range of linking words accurately to connect ideas
- Use less common and idiomatic vocabulary
- Produce generally error-free sentences
- Show good control of pronunciation and intonation
Follow the advice above to meet the IELTS criteria for Band 7 in all four modules. A Band 7 score in IELTS is good enough for almost all university undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
How to Get a Band 6 Score in Academic IELTS
The scoring system of IELTS can be difficult to understand for test-takers, so we’ve simplified it for you. This is what you need to do to get a 6.0 or 6.5 in the academic version of IELTS.
IELTS Listening
- Get 23 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Reading (Academic Module)
- Get 23 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Writing (Academic Module)
- Answer both questions adequately
- Show good ability to organise an answer (e.g. paragraphs, linking words)
- Attempt to use some higher-level vocabulary (even if not always accurate)
- Provide an overview with supporting details in Task 1
- Indicate a position and provide supporting arguments in Task 2
- Make yourself understood (even if grammatical mistakes are made)
IELTS Speaking
- Speak at length on certain topics
- Use a range of linking words to connect ideas
- Show good ability to paraphrase
- Use both simple and complex structures
- Speak with generally good pronunciation
Follow the advice above to meet the IELTS criteria for Band 6 in all four modules. A Band 6 score in IELTS is good enough for some university programmes, while others may require a pre-sessional English course.
How to Get a Band 5 Score in Academic IELTS
Here’s the IELTS scoring system made simple. This is what you need to do to get a 5.0 or 5.5.
IELTS Listening
- Get 16 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Reading (Academic Module)
- Get 15 out of 40 answers correct
IELTS Writing (Academic Module)
- Use vocabulary that is adequate for both tasks
- Show some ability to organise an answer (e.g. paragraphs, linking words)
- Attempt some complex sentence types (even if not accurate)
- Include some details in Task 1
- Indicate a clear opinion in Task 2
IELTS Speaking
- Show ability to talk about both familiar and unfamiliar topics
- Produce simple speech accurately and fluently
- Avoid long silences
- Attempt more complex structures (even if not accurate)
- Attempt to paraphrase (even if not accurate)
Follow the advice above to meet the IELTS criteria for Band 5 in all four modules. A Band 5 score in IELTS is good enough for some university foundation programmes.
