HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR IELTS SCORE

It is important for IELTS candidates that have completed the test and received the result to learn how to calculate their IELTS overall score. Knowing how to calculate your IELTS score will give you an understanding of your performance in all areas of the test. An excellent IELTS score is important for admission into foreign universities located in the UK, U.S.A, Canada and Australia. There are two types of IELTS scores – Overall Band Scores and Sectional Band Scores. Sectional Band Scores are the scores obtained per section, and the Overall Band Score is the average of all the Sectional Band Scores. The IELTS score provides an assessment of the level of English.

The basic purpose of IELTS is to measure the English language competence of people who wish to work or study in areas where the English language is the indigenous language. English language ability is tested in four categories – listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS is one of the most popular international assessment tests. The annual number of test-takers in 2018 was 3.5million. A lot of Nigerians that want to study abroad usually take the test. Having a high score in IELTS depends on the requirement of the institution. For instance, if the overall band score required in an institution is 6.5 and the candidate’s overall band score is 6.5, that candidate has a high score because he/she has met the requirement of the institution. Demographic data by percentage is usually published by IELTS annually. The data shows the various reasons people take the test and the percentage of performance. An IELTS score is valid for two years.

Everyone is probably wondering how they could possibly get that accurate score and predict their IELTS result and know their fate before the official results are drawn up. Well here is a quick walkthrough on how to calculate your results in a fast and easy way. 

Firstly you need to take note that all IELTS scores fall between the numbers 0-9, you can also have a .5 score like 5.5 and etcetera. Each candidate will be graded on band scores using these four skills as the yardstick. Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. 

Secondly, when calculating IELTS scores you also need to know that each overall test score is calculated to the nearest .5 or whole figure. so for example if a person scores a 5.1 the score is rounded up to 5 because 5.1 is closer to 5 than 5.5, and if you score a 5.76 it is rounded to 6 because it’s closer to 6. 

Test scores in each band are calculated to find a cumulative score, which means each score is added together to find an average score for example if all bands are Listening, speaking, writing, reading. your scores in each band will be added together and divided by four to find your overall score, see how.

It is also important to take note of the significance of each band score having taken an IELTS examination. There is a level of significance attached to each band score one gets. This significance helps your examiner determine whether or not your understanding of the language is good on an average level or if you have a great command of the language. The significance of your band score also helps your examiner determine if you would be able to make good use of these communication skills after the examination has been taken. 

There is no doubt that the IELTS exam is one of the vastly accepted examinations in the world, presently. It has a lot of benefits attached to it, giving you reasons why you should take the examination. One of the major reasons is how it helps seek greener pastures outside the shores of Nigeria. There are so many other benefits and reasons attached to taking the examination. However, now that there is an understanding of how to calculate your IELTS score. It is not too late to take the exam today. Sign up with us on Sabiteach and let us get you started on your IELTS journey.