IELTS Score

The IELTS 9-band scale

Each band corresponds to a level of English competence. All parts of the test and the Overall Band
Score can be reported in whole and half bands, eg 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.

9: Expert user

has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding.
has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic

8: Very good user

inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar

situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,

7: Good user

inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles

complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies,

6:Competent user

inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex

language, particularly in familiar situations.
has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most

5: Modest user

situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic
communication in own field.

4: Limited user

3:Extremely limited user

basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in

understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations.
Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using

2: Intermittent user

isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate

needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

1: Non-user

essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

0: Did not attempt the test

No assessable information provided

TOEFL and IELTS Conversion Chart

TOEFL PBT TOEFL CBT TOEFL iBT IELTS
625 - 680

263 - 300

113 - 120

7.5 - 9.0

600

250

100

7.0

575

232

90 - 91

6.5

550

213

79 - 80

6.0

525

196

69 - 70

5.5

500

173

59 - 60

5.0

475

152

49 - 50

4.5

450

133

39 - 40

4.0

425

113

29 -30

3.5

under 425

under 113

less than 29

below 3.5