IELTS uses a 9-band scale to report scores, providing a consistent definition of proficiency levels. You receive an individual band score for each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) and an overall band score. Scores are reported in whole bands (e.g., 7.0) or half bands (e.g., 7.5).

Here’s a general overview of what the IELTS levels signify:

• Band 9: Expert User: Fully operational command of the language. Appropriate, accurate, fluent with complete understanding.
• Band 8: Very Good User: Fully operational command with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies. Handles complex argumentation well.
• Band 7: Good User: Operational command, though with occasional inaccuracies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well.
• Band 6: Competent User: Generally effective command despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
• Band 5: Modest User: Partial command, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though likely to make many mistakes. Should handle basic communication in own field.
• Band 4: Limited User: Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Frequent problems in understanding and expression. Unable to use complex language.
• Band 3: Extremely Limited User: Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication.
• Band 2: Intermittent User: No real communication possible except for basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations. Great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
• Band 1: Non-User: Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
• Band 0: Did Not Attempt the Test: No assessable information provided.