Band Score Hub

Know what your target band actually requires.

Calculate an estimated overall score, compare Band 5–8 performance and audit whether your preparation is supported by real evidence.

Overall Score

Calculate the four-skill average.

Enter a whole or half-band score for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking

Estimated overall band

6.5Competent user

The overall score is the average of the four skill scores, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. This tool is an estimate and does not predict a future result.

Assessment Criteria

Writing and Speaking are each judged in four areas.

Improvement comes from identifying the weakest criterion—not collecting generic tips.

Writing

Task achievement / response
Answer every part of the task, present a clear position and develop relevant ideas.
Coherence and cohesion
Organise ideas logically and connect them without mechanical or excessive linking.
Lexical resource
Use enough precise vocabulary with appropriate spelling, collocation and word form.
Grammatical range and accuracy
Control simple and complex structures while keeping errors from obstructing meaning.

Speaking

Fluency and coherence
Develop answers at a natural pace and organise ideas so they are easy to follow.
Lexical resource
Use flexible, appropriate vocabulary and paraphrase when the exact word is unavailable.
Grammatical range and accuracy
Use varied sentence forms with enough control to communicate clearly.
Pronunciation
Make speech easy to understand through clear sounds, word stress, rhythm and intonation.

Band Comparison

What changes between Band 5 and Band 8?

These plain-language summaries are teaching guidance; use the official public descriptors for formal detail.

Area	Band 5	Band 6	Band 7	Band 8
Task response	Addresses the task incompletely or develops ideas thinly.	Answers the task but some ideas are underdeveloped.	Answers all parts with a clear, developed position.	Develops a precise, well-supported response throughout.
Organisation	Progression is uneven and paragraphing may be weak.	Overall progression is clear despite mechanical links.	Ideas progress logically with controlled cohesion.	Information is sequenced effortlessly and precisely.
Vocabulary	Range is limited and errors can cause strain.	Adequate range with some inaccurate choices.	Flexible range with awareness of style and collocation.	Wide, precise range used skilfully with rare slips.
Grammar	Complex attempts frequently contain errors.	A mix of forms; errors rarely block communication.	Varied complex forms with frequent error-free sentences.	Wide range used flexibly; most sentences are error-free.

Check the current descriptors and scoring explanations on the official IELTS website.

Readiness Audit

Do you have evidence that you are ready?

Tick only statements that are currently true. This checklist is stored only on the page and does not submit personal information.

Readiness evidence0/8

Several preparation foundations still need attention.

I know the exact overall and individual skill bands required by my receiving organisation.I have completed a timed baseline test in all four skills.I keep a mistake log that records the cause and correction for each error.I can plan and complete both Writing tasks within 60 minutes.I have received criteria-based feedback on recent Writing and Speaking work.My last three timed scores are consistently at or above my target.I have practised the paper or computer workflow that I booked.My identification, venue and reporting time are confirmed.

Score Plateaus

Why hard-working candidates stay at the same band.

Practising without diagnosis

More tests do not help when you never label whether an error came from language, timing, task knowledge or attention.

Learning phrases instead of language

Memorised templates often fit the question poorly and make vocabulary or cohesion sound unnatural.

Ignoring the weakest criterion

A strong vocabulary score cannot fully compensate for an incomplete answer or unclear pronunciation.

Using untimed scores as evidence

A target is reliable only when you can repeat it under the real test limits.

Getting no external feedback

Writing and Speaking problems are difficult to diagnose accurately from answer keys alone.

Booking before readiness

A deadline can create focus, but it cannot replace the language development needed for a large band jump.

Make the score actionable

Build a plan around your weakest criterion.

Create My Study Plan