Assessment Criteria For IELTS (What the Various Bands Mean)

The information below will give you a sense of what competence is required for each IELTS band score.

Band 9: Expert User
Has a full command of the language: appropriate, accurate, fluent and effortless with complete understanding.

Band 8: Very good user
Has a full command of the language with occasional unsystematic errors. Confusion may occur in atypical or unfamiliar situations. Is able to formulate advanced and detailed arguments.

Band 7: Good user
Has advanced command of the language, though with a few occasional errors in some situations. Generally uses sophisticated vocabulary and complex syntax well. Comprehends detailed reasoning.

Band 6: Competent user
Has capable command of the language despite some errors and misunderstandings. Can use and comprehend moderately complex language, but mainly in familiar and typical situations.

Band 5: Modest user
Has limited command of the language. Is able to understand overall meaning in routine and typical situations. Makes numerous errors and has difficulty with the general meaning of conversations. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4: Limited user
Has limited basic competence restricted to routine and typical situations only. Has frequent problems with understanding and expression. Uses only simplistic vocabulary and syntax. Isn’t able to use complex language.

Ban 3: Extremely limited user
Cannot follow a quite simple and common conversation even with the most simplistic vocabulary and syntax. Conveys and comprehends only general meaning in very familiar situations. Breakdowns in communication occur frequently.

Band 2: Intermittent user
No real communication is possible. Can only use isolated words and syntax to express basic needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1: Non user
Has basically no ability to use the language. Knows only a small number of random words. Has no understanding of English at all.

Band 0: Did not attempt the test