IELTS scores run from Band 0 (did not attempt the test) to Band 9 (expert user). You receive a band for each skill — Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking — plus an overall band, which is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. Try it with your own practice scores in the Band Calculator.
What the bands mean
- Band 9 — Expert: fully fluent, accurate, and natural in every situation.
- Band 8 — Very good: fluent with only rare, small errors.
- Band 7 — Good: handles complex language well; occasional mistakes. This is the target most universities and employers respect.
- Band 6 — Competent: generally effective, with some errors and misunderstandings. Many college programmes accept Band 6 or 6.5.
- Band 5 — Modest: gets the general meaning across, with frequent mistakes.
So what counts as “good”?
It depends entirely on your goal. Many universities ask for an overall 6.5 or 7.0, sometimes with no skill below 6.0 or 6.5. Migration programmes work differently — for Canada, for example, your General Training bands convert to CLB levels, where CLB 7 is a common minimum and CLB 9 is competitive; the CLB Converter on this site shows you exactly where you stand. Always check the requirement of the specific institution or programme you are applying to — that number, not anyone else’s, is your target.
Two things learners miss
- The lowest skill matters. Many requirements say “no band below X” — one weak skill can block an otherwise strong result.
- Scores are valid for two years in most cases, so time your test so your result is still valid when you apply.