Wondering what score you need to pass IELTS? Here is the short answer that surprises many people: there is no pass or fail in IELTS. Everyone who takes the test gets a band score from 0 to 9, and that score shows your level of English.
So the real question is not “Did I pass?” but “Is my score high enough for what I need?” On this page you will find out how IELTS is scored, what counts as a good score, and which score you typically need for university, work and immigration.
IELTS has no pass mark. Your “pass mark” is the minimum score set by the university, employer or immigration authority you are applying to. Most ask for an overall band between 5.5 and 7.0.
How IELTS is scored: the 0–9 band scale
You get a band score for each of the four parts (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) and an overall band score. Scores go up in half bands, for example 5.5, 6.0 or 6.5. Each band describes a level of English:
- 9Expert user
- 8Very good user
- 7Good user
- 6Competent user
- 5Modest user
- 4Limited user
- 3Extremely limited user
- 2Intermittent user
- 1Non-user
- 0Did not attempt the test
The maximum IELTS score is 9 and the lowest is 0. There is no negative marking, so a wrong answer never costs you points.
How the overall band score is calculated
Your overall score is the average of your four part scores, rounded to the nearest half band. If the average ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band.
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Average | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 6.25 | 6.5 |
| 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.875 | 4.0 |
| 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.25 | 7.5 |
Many institutions also set a minimum for each part, for example “6.5 overall with no band below 6.0”. So check both numbers.
How many correct answers do you need?
Listening and Reading each have 40 questions. Your number of correct answers (the raw score) is converted into a band. The table below shows typical conversions; the exact numbers can vary slightly from test to test.
| Band | Listening | ReadingAcademic | ReadingGeneral Training |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 39–40 | 39–40 | 40 |
| 8 | 35–36 | 35–36 | 37–38 |
| 7 | 30–31 | 30–32 | 34–35 |
| 6 | 23–25 | 23–26 | 30–31 |
| 5 | 16–17 | 15–18 | 23–26 |
Writing and Speaking are marked by trained examiners using four criteria each, such as vocabulary, grammar and coherence. Want to see where you stand? Try our free IELTS Listening practice test with a band score checker.
What is a good IELTS score?
A good score is the one that gets you where you want to go. As a rough guide:
- 7.0 and above: a strong score. Accepted by almost all universities and by professional bodies such as nursing and medical councils, which often ask for 7.0 or more in each part.
- 6.0–6.5: the most common requirement for bachelor’s and master’s degrees and for many work and skilled migration programmes.
- 5.0–5.5: often enough for foundation courses, English-language pathway programmes and some work visas.
- 4.0–4.5: sometimes accepted for family visas or as a basic level for some visa types.
IELTS score you need: common examples
Requirements change and differ between institutions, so always check the official page for your university or visa. Typical examples:
| Goal | Typical IELTS requirement |
|---|---|
| University (bachelor’s or master’s) | 6.0–7.0 overall, usually IELTS Academic |
| Australia student visa | 6.0 overall (lower with an English course) |
| Australia skilled PR | 6.0 in each part; 7.0 or 8.0 in each part gives extra points |
| Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) | CLB 7: IELTS General Training 6.0 in each part |
| UK visas | Depends on the visa; you need IELTS for UKVI or another approved test |
| Nurses and doctors | Usually 7.0 or more in each part, set by the registration body |
For a full breakdown by visa, read IELTS requirements for Australia.
What is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is run by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, and it is accepted by thousands of universities, employers and governments worldwide. There are two versions: IELTS Academic, mainly for university study and professional registration, and IELTS General Training, mainly for work and migration.
Results are usually available 1 to 2 days after a computer-delivered test and about 13 days after a paper-based test. Most institutions accept results for 2 years.
IELTS passing score: FAQ
Quick answers to the questions people ask most.
What is the passing score for IELTS?
There is no passing score. IELTS gives you a band score from 0 to 9. The score you need depends on the university, employer or visa you are applying for, and most ask for between 5.5 and 7.0.
What is the pass mark for IELTS General Training?
IELTS General Training has no pass mark either. Work and migration programmes set their own minimum, for example 6.0 in each part for Australian skilled PR or for Canada Express Entry (CLB 7).
What is the minimum IELTS score?
The lowest possible score is 0, given only if you do not attempt the test. In practice, the minimum score that matters is the one set by your university or visa.
What is the maximum IELTS score?
The maximum is band 9 (Expert user), both overall and for each part.
What is a good IELTS score?
7.0 or above is considered a strong score. 6.0 to 6.5 meets the requirements of most universities and many work visas.
Is there negative marking in IELTS?
No. Wrong answers do not lose points, so always answer every question in Listening and Reading.