If English isn’t your first language, then you’ll need to submit an IELTS score in order to be accepted onto a university programme taught in English. Most universities worldwide require an IELTS Band 6 score, with 6.5 being the most common requirement. So what is required to get IELTS Band 6?
A score of IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 shows that a person is ‘competent’, meaning they can cope in a classroom situation even though there may be some mistakes or misunderstandings with language. For students who need it, many universities provide short English courses of one to three months before the degree programme begins.
This article tells you exactly what you need to do to get a score of 6.0 or 6.5 in each of the four modules of IELTS. In the case of Listening or Reading, you need to get a certain number of answers correct. In Writing and Speaking, you can earn that extra 0.5 by slightly exceeding the minimum requirements here.
Your overall IELTS score is calculated as an average of the four module scores, or ‘sub-scores’.
IELTS Listening Band 6
- Get 23 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.0*
- Get 26 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.5*
- Spell answers correctly
- Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question
Read more about the IELTS Listening module, including scoring and exam techniques.
IELTS Reading Band 6 (Academic Module)
- Get 23 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.0*
- Get 27 out of 40 answers correct for IELTS 6.5*
- Spell answers correctly
- Not write more than the maximum number of words for each question
Read more about the IELTS Reading academic module, including scoring and exam techniques.
IELTS Writing Band 6 (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)
Read more about the IELTS Writing academic module, including scoring and exam techniques.
IELTS Speaking Band 6
- 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
Read more about the IELTS Speaking module, including scoring and exam techniques.
*The number of correct answers required to get IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 may vary slightly from test to test.