IELTS Exam Result

IELTS conducts exams in different modes. The availability of the result depends upon the mode in which one has written the examination.

Paper-Based Test: For a paper-based test, candidates will be able to view their test report 13 days after their test date. 13 days is the longest it can take to get the report no matter what mode one has taken their exam in.

Computer-delivered: The computerized version of the test, which is gaining prominence over the paper format, lets one receive the result in 3 to 5 days. The days are calculated from the day one has taken the test.

IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration:If the test has been taken to avail of a UK Visa and clear Immigration processes, candidates will be able to view the results only 13 days after the date of their test.

IELTS for Life Skills:This is a test taken to prove speaking and listening skills as part of a visa/ immigration process and is a new UK-government-approved version of the IELTS. It is often referred to as SELT. The results for this will be available within 7 days after one has taken the test.

Facts about IELTS Results

• IELTS results are available within 13 days no matter what mode candidates take it in.
• Although the IELTS results are available online for 28 days, they shouldn't be regarded as an official statement of performance.
• Test Center can also post results after 13 days (one can even pick them up from the test center).
• Candidates get only one copy of the result they should save it in a secure place.
• Candidates can have copies of their Test Report automatically sent to five institutions free of charge.
• In case candidates want to send it to more colleges/universities they may do so for an additional fee.
• There are no minimum passing marks in the IELTS exam. All scores are awarded on a 9-band scale (from 1, the lowest, to 9, the highest). Universities/colleges or immigration agencies may have their minimum requirement like 5.5/6 etc.
• Test report is valid for two years.

IELTS Bands 1-9

The IELTS 9-band scale has each band corresponding 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, etc. where the maximum score one can get is a 9. Attaining the highest score would imply that one is an expert user of the language whereas the lowest score would imply that the candidate can only use random English words and is not a good speaker. An average score required to get admission and visas would be around 6. Anything above a 6 would be considered a plus.

Band 9:	Expert user	Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate, and fluent with complete understanding.
Band 8:	Very good user	Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7:	Good user	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Band 6:	Competent user	Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5:	Modest user	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
Band 4:	Limited user	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Band 3:	Extremely limited user	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
Band 2:	Intermittent user	Cannot communicate any further than basic information. Difficulty understanding and communicating in English.
Band 1:	Non-user	Can use only a few isolated words
Band 0:	Did not attempt the test	No assessable information provided.

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, e.g., 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0.

Understanding the Test Scores

Test takers will view their test results on a Test Report Form, which includes their overall score as well as the results for the Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading sections. The average of the four section band scores, rounded to the closest half band, is the overall band score.

SECTION BAND SCORES

• Listening Section: The IELTS Listening test contains 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale.
  These represent the average points obtained in the listening section across the various IELTS scale levels:

  Band score	Marks (Out of 40)
  8 Band score	35 Marks
  7 Band score	30 Marks
  6 Band score	23 Marks
  5 Band score	16 Marks

• Reading Section: There are 40 questions in the IELTS Reading test as well. Every right response receives 1 mark. The IELTS 9-band scale is applied to scores out of 40.
  The following are the average marks (out of 40) obtained in the Academic Reading and General Training Reading sections of the IELTS scale at various levels:

  Band Score	Academic Reading	General Training Reading
  8 Band Score	35 Marks	38 Marks
  7 Band Score	30 Marks	34 Marks
  6 Band Score	23 Marks	23 Marks
  5 Band Score	15 Marks	15 Marks

• Writing Section: Examiners use assessment criteria to award a score for each of the following four criteria:
  • Task response (for task 2) and task accomplishment (for task 1)
  • Cohesiveness and Coherence
  • Lexical asset
  • Accuracy and range of grammar.
  The task score is the average of the equally weighted criteria. Task 2 evaluation is given more weight when assigning marks than Task 1.
• Speaking Section: The Speaking IELTS score is determined by adding the weights of each of the following criteria and calculating the overall average.
  • Coherence and fluidity
  • Lexical resource
  • Accuracy and range of grammar
  • Pronunciation

NOTE: From one test version to the next, the exact number of marks required to meet the band scores will differ.

Obtaining a Physical Copy of the Test Results

The Test Taker Portal offers a preview of the results. Although the IELTS results are available online for 28 days, they shouldn't be regarded as an official statement of performance. The information below outlines how and when test takers will be able to obtain their official results.

• IELTS on Paper-: Candidates who took the IELTS exam on paper will receive a paper copy of their results, known as the Test Report Form (TRF), through mail delivery 13 days following the test date.
• IELTS Online and on Computer-: Results for IELTS taken online or on a computer are only available electronically. Three to five days following their test, test takers can access the electronic version (eTRF) via the Test Taker portal. For submission to the organizations they are applying to, they can print their electronic Test Report Form (eTRF).

Sending the Test Report

Depending on the test version taken, candidates will receive a single copy of their test results electronically or through mail delivery. Candidates have the option to send 5 TRF copies to immigration offices and universities. To do this, they are supposed to include the addresses while booking the test.

Include the full postal address of the place since then the IELTS Verification Service can check whether the place has access to view the result if submitted electronically. In case they do not accept electronic submissions, the result will be sent by post.

Reviewing IELTS Result

Candidates can request a reevaluation of their results if they are not satisfied with it. This is done through a system called EOR (Enquiry on Results). The request must be made within six weeks after candidates have taken the test and they can choose to either re-evaluate the entire test or the different sections in the test. This will require payment of an additional sum as the inquiry fee that will be refunded to them if there is a change in the candidate's band score.

Once candidates have applied for evaluating their scores, an experienced senior examiner will be responsible for assessing the candidate's performance. They will not be made aware of the candidate's previous score and the new score will be communicated to their test center if the score has changed. The candidate will receive a new Test Report Form (TRF).

The re-evaluation result will be made available in between 2-21 days. However, candidates are free to contact their test center if they haven't received any information after 28 days.

Re-taking IELTS

IELTS can be taken as often as desired. There are no restrictions for the same. However, it is estimated that the score is not likely to increase by a large margin unless efforts have been made to learn the language in all four aspects listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

To do this, one may attend practice tests, watch movies with subtitles, read comprehensive passages, works of fiction and non-fiction, etc. Re-doing practice tests after every attempt to learn the language can help improve their scores.